THE BLUE Square South is shaping up to be a compelling competition for the 2011/12 season.
There are a number of clubs who will fancy their chances of making it into non-League’s top-flight, none more so than Farnborough who finished runners-up last term only to fall at the play-off Final hurdle.
They now have Gary Haylock at the helm after he left his post at Hayes & Yeading to replace Steve King in charge of the Hampshire outfit.
Also looking for a Blue Square Premier return will be Woking. They finished fifth last time, but are geared up both on and off-the-field to make progress.
Likewise, Dover Athletic have some solid foundations in place and after their FA Cup exploits of last season, they will be looking to better the seventh-placed berth that they achieved in the League after their promotion push ran out of steam towards the end.
A change of policy at Eastleigh has seen them go full-time, recruiting youngsters who have been released by local League clubs and giving them a second chance at being a professional footballer. It’s a bold move and time will tell as to whether they can better their eighth-place finish of last season.
Also expected to challenge at the top end of the table are Chelmsford City and Welling United, who overcame off-the-field problems – and a five-point deduction – to achieve a place in the top six last time out. Newly-relegated, Eastbourne Borough are also likely to be involved in the ‘business end’ of the table.
As well as Truro City, other new faces in the League will be Sutton United, Tonbridge Angels, who , like ourselves, will be competing at this level for the first time, and Salisbury City, who we faced last term in the Southern League Premier Division.
Thrills and spills aplenty are guaranteed, so make sure that you don’t miss a kick of the action.