National League North 2023-24

[Farsley Arkan]

Carlton U joins Chorley... slightly surprised by that one. I quite liked him but a lot of our support thought he was rubbish. For me, a decent player on his day. Will have a go in whatever position u ask of him. Think he got that move thru' having about his best game of the season AT your place. 2 goals, could/should have been a hat trick and denied a blatant penalty v late on for what should have been a draw (at least). Personally I'd have figured you were shopping elsewhere - confs rejects etc.

 

[Farsley Arkan]

Frank Mulhern joins Scarboro - they desperately need fresh blood. Had a good/fluke run in the year 2022 - sneaking into the playoffs, form continued in the early part of 22-23 season. If the league started in Nov last yr they'd have been relegated. Frank is a skilful player and scores spectacular goals. Not tons of 'em mind. Double figures but v few tap-ins. They've not made many changes at safc this summer, so Im not sure they've done enough to alter their fortunes- a (possibly surprise) season of struggle ahead for them?

 

[Farsley Arkan]

Scunny look possibly strong ON the pitch- off it?? Sounds like they dont know where they'll be playing week to wk... Their support might be surprised to see Andy Butler turning out for them at 40. TBH he wasnt the worst player on the pitch for us last season even at that age. Even relatively new supporters will have to adjust from league footy 18 months ago to confs rest fare in August, a hell of a drop.
Incidentally, we had been trying to get Butler signed back on as a player, yet he works/coaches at Scunny. THAT would have been bizarre - help prepare a set of players during the wk, then play AGAINST them on saturday...

 

[Farsley Arkan]

Kian Scales joined Scunny - probly due to Butler et al. V good player indeed - surprised he hasnt gone to a higher level- oldham/Alti etc.
Depending on the fixtures, we could be facing opponents we know far more about than our own team in August- scunny, curzon for 2 that have more known celts with them than we do!

 

[Farsley Arkan]

Russy Wlicox waiting for the scunny job...? He did a great job for us and was popular with the support. If you're reading this Russ - thanks. Genuinely.

 

[Farsley Arkan]

Digie joining Alfreton - good player at this level. Did a good job for us, but i think we managed to get the longest run of games out him ever! Seems to struggle for fitness. When on it, he is a good player at this level - commanding and runs the show at the back. The problem is keeping him on the pitch, as per gloucester last season...

 

[Farsley Arkan]

Whilst Im on - anyone else seen that folk in the wider sporting world seem to have finally noticed how crazy the spread of this division is? Mentions in the media/press about it in the last couple of months. Glos C /B Stortfd right up to scotland potentially. Saw 1 suggestion of whether there should be 3 divs at our level - adding a midlands one and all playing less games per season (18 x 3 divs). For me the problem isnt 2 divs, it is the feeders - the division will continue to be dragged down south geographically whilst there are 2 feeding in from the south and 1 from the north and (now) 1 from the midlands. This imbalance will just perpetuate until we end up having the div reach the south coast. We're already not that far off before anyone laughs. Its mad that what should be a semi-pro level has more travelling in than the PL will have, in some seasons.

 

[Bottega Don]

Russy Wlicox waiting for the scunny job...? He did a great job for us and was popular with the support. If you're reading this Russ - thanks. Genuinely.

He's been our manager about 50 times already it feels like.

We did offer him the perm job again in 2020 but he rejected it, I can't see him returning.

 

[Farsley Arkan]

Personally i would have 3 divs below ours- 1 north, 1 midlands and 1 south. 2 promoted from each, so 3 relegated from both of the more accurate North & south confs 2nd division set up. The isthmian clubs currently go from being in a div where they pop round on the underground system, to having 1-2 further journeys west to weymouth et al, then suddenly have to travel nationally if/when they get into the confs top flight. Some seasons there may be more travelling in our div than in the confs top flight, which is crazy.

 

[Farsley Arkan]

The NPL shouldnt go further south than probably Liverpool to the Wash, so Marine - boston (clubs) would be the cut off. The midland div would go from there down to lower E Anglia and possibly the bottom of Wales and then the southern div can cover the rest (London etc).
Then our level should roughly cover down to Birmingham or so, and the southern div being from there down.
So NPL Worksop & BPA get promoted, Stourbridge and cambridge C up from the midlands, Poole and Croydon from the south. The first 3 into the 2nd div North, the others into the South.
If there is the will to sort it, it can be done- they downgraded the Northern league yrs ago as it suited the FA, remember.

 

[SpennyfanChris]

National League North Opening Day Fixtures (Sat 5th August) -

Banbury United v Spennymoor Town
Bishop's Stortford v Chester FC
Blyth Spartans v Gloucester City
Buxton FC v Boston United
Chorley FC v Brackley Town
Darlington FC v Curzon Ashton
King's Lynn Town v Hereford FC
Peterborough Sports v Scarborough Athletic
Rushall Olympic v Farsley Celtic
South Shields v Alfreton Town
Southport FC v Warrington Town
Tamworth FC v Scunthorpe United

Last Game for everyone 20th April 2024

 

[Clem Fandango]

Well my piss taking of Brackley for signing O'Sullivan (who is shit btw) has bitten me as they've just announced Dom McHale. If he can steer clear of injuries he's a class act. Surprised he's not gone up a level

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

Nice opening win for Curzon…….always win there.

Southport Boxing Day AGAINi want to go there in september

 

[CFCMagpie]

Well my piss taking of Brackley for signing O'Sullivan (who is shit btw) has bitten me as they've just announced Dom McHale. If he can steer clear of injuries he's a class act. Surprised he's not gone up a level

I agree with this.
He’s a great player at this level

Can see you guys pushing for promotion this year

 

[CFCMagpie]

Carlton U joins Chorley... slightly surprised by that one. I quite liked him but a lot of our support thought he was rubbish. For me, a decent player on his day. Will have a go in whatever position u ask of him. Think he got that move thru' having about his best game of the season AT your place. 2 goals, could/should have been a hat trick and denied a blatant penalty v late on for what should have been a draw (at least). Personally I'd have figured you were shopping elsewhere - confs rejects etc.

Let’s hope he can fire as he really is the only but if business we can shout about at the moment.

We’ve only 5 defenders in our squad at the moment

 

[hfcpride]

I'm hoping we get a good start difficult game to open with I would be happy with a point.

 

[Lucky Bobble]

I agree with this.
He’s a great player at this level

Can see you guys pushing for promotion this year

We've got 2 very strong centerla midfielders already... so he may not be first choice.

As ever though, seem short on striking options.

No doubt we'll have good run at the playoffs, finish about 5th an then lose again in the playoffs for the 9th time in the last 20 years.

 

[Haxbyreds]

Anyone up for doing a top 7 prediction?

The rules are that Darlo have to be in it even if it's not realistic.

I went to Tadcaster friendly thought you looked very light upfront.

 

[Clem Fandango]

We've got 2 very strong centerla midfielders already... so he may not be first choice.

As ever though, seem short on striking options.

No doubt we'll have good run at the playoffs, finish about 5th an then lose again in the playoffs for the 9th time in the last 20 years.

He's more of a winger than a central midfielder

 

[Clem Fandango]

JJ Hooper joined Blyth. Can't really say what he was like as he spent pretty much the entirety of his spell here out injured. Good scoring record at Shields however

 

[David Curries Mullet]

I went to Tadcaster friendly thought you looked very light upfront.

Yes, still need another I think, although we were without last season's top scorer Jacob Hazel, who was away at the Concacaf Gold Cup with St Kitts and Nevis.

 

[Railway Blue]

Feel sorry for Scunthorpe fans. This season is not going to end well for them . Hilton has no proof of funds and the club will be lucky to make it to Christmas.

 

[Clem Fandango]

Just lost Sion Spence now to Kings Lynn. Basically our entire squad gone. We made some really good signings to start, but the last few have been " promising youngsters. I.e, dirt. Very concerned now

 

[Ninety Per Cent]

Feel sorry for Scunthorpe fans. This season is not going to end well for them . Hilton has no proof of funds and the club will be lucky to make it to Christmas.

Will we make it to the end of the season?

Established Journos who are used to dealing with our owners are being told to fuck off by a 19 year old Motor Mechanic or Craft Union Pub drinker when they present their evidence…

 

[クレイグ]

Finn-Cousin Dawson has joined Blyth Spartans on loan for the season. Fourth choice right-back here and not sure he'll ever make it at Bradford City. Still got time on his side though.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

It said on the Twitter site that Jimmy Spencer signed a new contract on 13th May?

Sorry for late reply you are right got muddled up, that is tough thing when following Carlisle Ins and outs and curzon. in and outs

Hayden Campbell was the other left with peers to Macclesfield.

Lost 4 key players this summer made our 4th signing yesterday Jamie Allen from Telford.

Weird pre season very few changes this summer and kept most of the squad but have lost some big crucial players most of the spine of side, all will depend if replacements fill or improve the gaps.

 

[Quakerz]

Nice opening win for Curzon…….always win there.

Southport Boxing Day AGAINi want to go there in september

That's what I thought as well. We couldn't possibly have a worse opening day fixture.

 

[Ninety Per Cent]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1678488993460113408

Dead club walking

 

[Clem Fandango]

Ben Morgan joined Bath. Owen Evans joins Fylde. Surprised by that one, he was a sub for a lot of the campaign behind Junior Tiensia. Evans is better going forwards than defending, but doesn't have the pace Tiensia does to get out of trouble. Not sure he's NL quality, would say he's competent enough at step 2 but good luck to him. Interesting to see how he gets on.

Meanwhile we've added Duffus from Swindon Supermarine. Was at Barnet a few seasons back

 

[Andy Harrier]

Ben Morgan joined Bath. Owen Evans joins Fylde. Surprised by that one, he was a sub for a lot of the campaign behind Junior Tiensia. Evans is better going forwards than defending, but doesn't have the pace Tiensia does to get out of trouble. Not sure he's NL quality, would say he's competent enough at step 2 but good luck to him. Interesting to see how he gets on.

Meanwhile we've added Duffus from Swindon Supermarine. Was at Barnet a few seasons back

Looks like we've got Dara Dada on trial. Appears he played quite a bit for Gloucester after going there on loan. Any good?