After a season that ended in dramatic fashion at Wembley, the National League returns with plenty of clubs believing they can challenge for promotion to the EFL, even with last year's two strongest sides now gone from the division.
Rochdale claimed the second automatic promotion place following an extraordinary play-off final, clawing back a two-goal deficit with a stoppage-time equaliser before defeating Boreham Wood on penalties. That result has left Boreham Wood to try again this season, and Luke Garrard's side remain one of the division's most talented outfits. Winger Abdul Abdulmalik has attracted interest from clubs further up the football pyramid, while centre-back Chris Bush and forward Matt Rush are also regarded among the league's top performers.
Carlisle United, meanwhile, face an unwanted second successive season at this level. Despite amassing 95 points last term—a total that would have won promotion in many other campaigns—they finished third and were then beaten at home by Boreham Wood in the play-offs. Mark Hughes has since left Brunton Park, with Rob Elliot arriving from Gateshead to take charge. Elliot has made clear that anything short of promotion, ideally automatic, will be viewed as a disappointment. His former club Gateshead have replaced him with ex-Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole, who takes his first steps into management.
Southend United enter the new campaign under fresh leadership after parting ways with club legend Kevin Maher, despite an FA Trophy triumph over Wealdstone at Wembley only months ago. Former Newcastle and England midfielder Kieron Dyer has been brought in for his first permanent managerial role. Maher's exit—coming just two days after that Wembley win—suggests that finishing sixth, 27 points behind champions York, was considered insufficient at a club that boasted the division's highest average attendance of 8,103.
Hartlepool United are preparing for a fourth consecutive season at this level after three campaigns of mid-table finishes. Following a long-awaited takeover by American businessman Landon Smith in January, the club has appointed Lee Clark as manager and recruited several experienced National League players in hopes of pushing towards the play-offs.
Forest Green Rovers, guided by the ever-colourful Robbie Savage, will look to build on a seventh-placed finish after two consecutive play-off disappointments. Scunthorpe United, who returned from the National League North and finished fifth last season, are also expected to be competitive again.
Barrow and Harrogate Town, both promoted together back in 2020, have returned to the National League after six-year stints in League Two. Harrogate continue under long-serving boss Simon Weaver, while Barrow have undergone wholesale change following a torrid campaign that saw five managers come and go and the club finish bottom of the 92 EFL and Premier League clubs. Adam Murray, who won promotion with Kidderminster Harriers, has been appointed to rebuild the club, which has also changed its kit colours to mark its 125th anniversary.
Fylde and Kidderminster Harriers make their return to the fifth tier after spells in the National League North, while Worthing and Hornchurch prepare for unprecedented first seasons at this level. Worthing's manager, Adam Hinshelwood, previously led York to a runners-up finish with 96 points before falling short in the play-offs.
Elsewhere, Woking remain without a permanent manager following the departure of Jermain Defoe, who left after four months and described his time at the club as "eye-opening." The club later issued a response to his comments.
With fresh faces, new ambitions, and old rivalries renewed, the National League looks poised for another season full of unpredictability and late drama.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.