It’s set to be another fast and furious season in the National League, with big guns Carlisle United installed as the bookies’ favourites but much-fancied Southend United, Forest Green Rovers, Boreham Wood, Hartlepool United and Barrow all expected to be there or thereabouts in the promotion race.
Scunthorpe United, Harrogate Town and, hopefully, FC Halifax Town could also be challenging for a coveted top-seven spot in what promises to be another ultra-competition campaign in the fifth tier.
We take a look at how every club in the division is shaping up ahead of the new season.
9. FC Halifax Town
MANAGER: John McGrath. LAST SEASON: 8th in National League. PROMOTION ODDS: 66/1. KEY MAN: If they can keep hold of him, Cody Johnson will be the vital cog in the midfield engine room for The Shaymen after an excellent first season last time out. PREDICTION: Play-off contenders. Photo: Graeme Bandeira
10. Forest Green Rovers
MANAGER: Robbie Savage. LAST SEASON: 7th in National League. PROMOTION ODDS: 9/2. KEY MAN: Ricardo Rees scored six goals in 14 games after joining the club in January, and definitely has the ability to maintain that one-in-two scoring record this season. PREDICTION: Play-off contenders. Photo: subm
11. Gateshead
MANAGER: Lee Cattermole. LAST SEASON: 18th in National League. PROMOTION ODDS: 100/1. KEY MAN: Attacking midfielder Harry Chapman was both the Heed's leading goalscorer and their players' player of the season in 2025-26. PREDICTION: Relegation battle. Photo: subm
12. Harrogate Town
MANAGER: Simon Weaver. LAST SEASON: 23rd in League Two. PROMOTION ODDS: 3/1. KEY MAN: Shawn McCoulsky only scored three league goals last season for Harrogate, but netted 15 the season before in the National League with Maidenhead. There's no reason he can't hit those numbers again this campaign. PREDICTION: Play-off contenders. Photo: subm