The upcoming campaign will be Concord Rangers' first at step three level for a decade, and with the league looking stronger than ever it has all the ingredients to be an exciting season.
Billericay Town
Stadium: The New Lodge (Capacity: 4,800)
Distance from the Aspect Arena: 15.1 miles
2022/23 table position: 10th
2022/23 top scorer: Bradley Stevenson (21)
Manager: Gary McCann
2022/23 average attendance: 791
One of the Isthmian Premier Division's biggest spenders this summer Billericay Town have invested heavily into a new look squad under Gary McCann following a 10th placed finish last term.
Following the end of the 2022/23 campaign Danny Brown stepped down as Ricay boss and has since been replaced by former Hampton & Richmond Borough manager McCann.
Under the stewardship of the 51 year old the Blues have made some shrewd moves in order to bolster up their ranks and achieve promotion back to the National League South at the second time of asking.
In defence Tom Bender and Jay Porter have arrived as well as former Concord Rangers pair Aron Pollock and Louis Ramsay with all these players having played step two football within the past two seasons. As well as this goalkeeper Dan Wilks, another former Beach Boy, has joined the Essex club making the switch from National League South semi-finalists Dartford.
In midfield another player who spent last season with Dartford, Malachi Napa, arrives from Wealdstone having spent the second half of the 2022/23 season on loan with the Darts. He has been joined by James Blanchfield, Matt Johnson, Frankie Merrifield and Adam Leathers.
Finally in attack Ricay have tempted Welling United's top scorer Ade Azeez to drop down a division despite bagging 16 goals for the Wings last term. Also the experienced Moses Emmanuel has returned for a second spell with the club from Hayes & Yeading United and exciting youngster Richard Asamoah arrives from Waltham Abbey with whom he scored 13 goals for in all competitions.
McCann has also kept hold of some key players from last season too. Top scorer Bradley Stevenson netted 21 goals from midfield for the Blues and the former Gillingham man has committed to another campaign at the New Lodge. Alongside Stevenson youngsters Alfie Cerulli, George Wind and Henry Lukombo have committed to Town.
Whilst on the other side of the coin there have been some outgoings at the New Lodge as well.
Eze Ebuzoeme, Marvel Ekpiteta, Toby Stevenson and Imran Uche have all transferred to step two clubs joining Chelmsford City, Bishop's Stortford, Braintree Town and Eastbourne Borough respectively. Whilst John Ufuah, Montel Agyemang, Harry Seaden, Michael Chambers and Anthony Jeffrey have moved to league rivals Hastings United, Margate and Hornchurch; with the latter two both joining recently relegated Dulwich Hamlet.
Playoffs should be a minimum for the Blues.
Concord links
- New goalkeeper Dan Wilks was previously a Beach Boy with fellow summer signings Aron Pollock, Louis Ramsay and James Blanchfield all appearing for Rangers last season.
- Another new arrival Tom Bender saw red when he last played at the Aspect Arena for St Albans City in 2021.
- New Concord signing Sean Bonnett-Johnson played for Billericay during the first half of the 2016/17 season.
Head-to head
- Concord wins: 2
- Draws: 3
- Billericay wins: 1
When we meet
Bognor Regis Town
Stadium: Nyewood Lane (Capacity: 4,500)
Distance from the Aspect Arena: 99.7 miles
2022/23 table position: 14th
2022/23 top scorer: Nathan Odokonyero (31)
Manager: Robbie Blake
2022/23 average attendance: 557
Compared to Billericay, Bognor Regis Town have been much quieter so far this window following a midtable finish last time around.
Two of the Rocks' six signings have joined from lower levels - namely midfielder Ben Anderson and attacker Lucas Pattenden.
Dan Smith has returned to Nyewood Lane having netted three goals in 15 appearances in the National League South for Dulwich Hamlet last term.
Jasper Mather, Kieran Douglas and goalkeeper Ryan Hall are also new at Bognor.
Tom Chalaye and Jake Flannigan have both left the Rocks alongside last season's top scorer Nathan Odokonyero who has joined National League outfit Ebbsfleet United.
Most of last seasons squad, that weren't on loan, have stuck around for another year in Hampshire although the defence still needs some new faces.
I'm expecting Bognor to struggle this term but they might just have enough in them to avoid the drop - the form of new striker Smith could be make or break.
Concord links
- Returning striker Dan Smith was on target for Dulwich Hamlet against Concord last season, scoring the opening goal in a 1-1 draw between the two sides at the Aspect Arena in August.
- Sammie McLeod played for Bognor last season following a move from Worthing. The midfielder previously played for Concord in the first half of 2021.
- Concord's summer signing Khale Da Costa scored for the Beach Boys in a 2-1 win over Bognor during his first spell with the club back in 2017.
Head-to head
- Concord wins: 3
- Draws: 0
- Bognor wins: 1
When we meet
Canvey Island
Stadium: The Movie Starr Stadium (Capacity: 4,100)
Distance from the Aspect Arena: 2.6 miles
2022/23 table position: 3rd
2022/23 top scorer: Evans Kouassi (24)
Manager: Brad Wellmen
2022/23 average attendance: 511
Last season Canvey Island stunned everyone by achieving a third place finish just one season after winning promotion from step four via the playoffs.
In their first season back in the Isthmian Premier Division the Gulls once again soared to the playoffs but fell just short of the final following a penalty shootout defeat at home to eventual playoff winners Aveley.
This wasn't the Islanders only shootout loss of the season with Brad Wellmen's side also getting knocked out of the BBC Essex Senior Cup on spot kicks against local rivals Concord.
The majority of Canvey's squad have been retained by Wellmen however there have been some outgoings with Bobby Mason and Johnny Ashman departing for Sittingbourne and Tilbury. 21-year-old midfielder Luca Albon was a regular for the Yellows last term but has decided to make the switch across the island to join Concord.
Currently Canvey have only made one signing although it is an impressive one with teenage defender Louie Arrowsmith joining from Southend United having spent last season on loan with Isthmian Division One North playoff finalists Heybridge Swifts.
Retaining the majority of a squad that got them third place last season suggests that the Yellows should finish in a similar position this term. However with other clubs around them making more moves and seemingly boasting healthier finances another assault on promotion may be one step too far for Canvey.
A playoff challenge is still likely however.
Concord links
- Three current Canvey players have previously played for Concord - Rob Girdlestone, Odei Martin and Evans Kouassi.
- Four of Concord's summer signings are ex Canvey with Lamar Johnson, Zack Littlejohn, James White and Luca Albon all once playing their trade at the Movie Starr Stadium.
- Newly appointed Concord manager Sammy Collins played for Canvey across two years from 2017 to 2019.
Head-to head
- Concord wins: 4
- Draws: 0
- Canvey wins: 0
When we meet
Carshalton Athletic
Stadium: War Memorial Ground (Capacity: 3,000)
Distance from the Aspect Arena: 56.3 miles
2022/23 table position: 11th
2022/23 top scorer: Tom Beere (12)
Manager: Peter Adeniyi
2022/23 average attendance: 423
Concord links
- Carshalton's ninth summer signing Marcel Barrington scored one goal for Concord Rangers during a four month spell with the club in 2019.
- Former Beach Boys Tom Hanfrey and Calvin Ekpiteta now play their trade with Carshalton.
- Concord summer signing Zack Littlejohn was on target against Carshalton for Brightlingsea Regent last season.
Head-to head
- Concord wins: 2
- Draws: 0
- Carshalton wins: 0
When we meet
Chatham Town
Stadium: Bauvill Stadium (Capacity: 5,000)
Distance from the Aspect Arena: 41.2 miles
2022/23 table position: 1st (Isthmian League South East Division)
2022/23 top scorer: Jack Evans (24)
Manager: Kevin Hake
2022/23 average attendance: 1,004
Concord links
- Chatham's fifth summer signing Ben Allen played for Concord during the 2021/22 season, and also missed a penalty against the Beach Boys for Aveley in the Essex Senior Cup last term.
- Ezra Ikebuasi, another of Chatham's summer arrivals, appeared twice against Concord last season. Featuring for Braintree Town and Harrow Borough in both sides' victories at the Aspect Arena.
- Experienced Chatham striker Danny Kedwell was on the score sheet against Concord in 2015 when the now 39-year-old opened the scoring for Ebbsfleet United in their 4-2 Boxing Day win over the Beach Boys.
Head-to head
- Concord wins: 0
- Draws: 0
- Chatham wins: 0
When we meet
Cheshunt
Stadium: Theobalds Lane (Capacity: 3,500)
Distance from the Aspect Arena: 38.2 miles
2022/23 table position: 23rd (National League South)
2022/23 top scorer: Reece Beckles-Richards and Ken Charles (10)
Manager: Craig Edwards
2022/23 average attendance: 475
Concord links
- Defender Jimmy Wallace made the direct switch from Concord to Cheshunt when he arrived at Theobalds Lane this summer.
- Concord summer signings Alfie Cue and Fabion Simms both once played their trade with the Ambers. Cue made nine appearances scoring one goal for Cheshunt in the National League South last term.
Head-to head
- Concord wins: 0
- Draws: 1
- Cheshunt wins: 1
When we meet
Part two of the preview will cover the business undertaken by Concord Rangers, as well as the ins and outs of Cray Wanderers, Dulwich Hamlet, Enfield Town, Folkestone Invicta and Haringey Borough and their links to the Beach Boys.
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