Concord Rangers
Stadium: Aspect Arena (Capacity: 3,300)
2022/23 table position: 22nd (National League South)
2022/23 top scorer: Mo Bettamer (10)
Manager: Sammy Collins
2022/23 average attendance: 296
The 2022/23 campaign saw Concord Rangers relegated from the National League South following a decade at step two level.
The season started brightly at the Aspect Arena with the Beach Boys going unbeaten in their opening three games. However this was then followed up by a 12 game winless run; during which time Chris Search was replaced as manager by Rob Small.
Despite revivals shortly after Small's appointments and at the end of the season, Concord couldn't avoid the drop and ended the season 22nd in the table.
This summer has seen a huge shakeup both on and off the pitch at the Aspect Arena.
Following relegation Small resigned as manager and has since been replaced by former player Sammy Collins.
On the pitch 13 players have moved on, namely: Lewis Manor, Louis Ramsay, Aron Pollock, Quentin Monville, Jayden Randell, Mitchell Beeney, Jack Thompson, Alex Hernandez, Jack Thomas, Jack Munns, Mo Kamara, Nana Kyei and Jimmy Wallace. As well as loanees Harvey Beckett, Max Hudson and Mo Bettamer who have all returned to their parent clubs.
In their places Collins has signed 13 players.
In defence goalkeeper Lamar Johnson has returned for a second spell with the Beach Boys from Hornchurch, and defenders Sean Bonnett-Johnson, Luke Ige and Zack Littlejohn have arrived from Kingstonian, Witham Town and Brightlingsea Regent.
In midfield Khale Da Costa and James White are back at Concord having re-signed from Enfield Town and Great Wakering Rovers respectively; whilst Luca Albon, Dominic Locke, Kwai Marsh-Brown, Kyjuon Marsh-Brown and Fabion Simms are all new at Rangers.
Finally in attack Alfie Cue has made the move from Cheshunt and Joe Gardner has returned for a third spell with the club from Grays Athletic.
Collins has also retained youngsters Joe Burton, Callum Knowlden, Ben Steward, Jack Leech and Harrison Day as well as experienced winger Ricky Modeste.
A new look squad may take time to gel at the Aspect Arena and with the league stronger and more wealthy than ever a bottom half finish is probably the most likely outcome for the Beach Boys this term.
Cray Wanderers
Stadium: Hayes Lane (Capacity: 5,000)
Distance from the Aspect Arena: 36.6 miles
2022/23 table position: 5th
2022/23 top scorer: Danny Bassett (15)
Manager: Neil Smith
2022/23 average attendance: 266
Last seasons playoff semi-finalists Cray Wanderers were cruelly denied a place in the playoff final following a penalty shootout loss at Hornchurch.
The Wands had come from behind three times to draw 3-3 but were edged out 4-2 in the shootout.
Since then Matt Weaire, Harold Joseph and Sam Skeffington have moved on to Sittingbourne, Walthamstow and Erith and Belvedere whilst Guyana international Jalen Jones has earnt himself a National League South move to Aveley. Perhaps the most damaging departure was that of top scorer Danny Bassett who has moved to fellow London club Carshalton Athletic.
Seven new faces have arrived to bolster Cray's ranks with Dulwich Hamlet trio Jack Holland, Frankie Raymond and George Porter all arriving from Champion Hill having made a combined 117 appearances with the Hamlet last term at step two level.
Fellow summer arrival Louis Collins also enjoyed step two experience with Tonbridge Angels last season and also had a loan spell with Folkestone Invicta.
In defence Archy Taylor has joined from Metropolitan Police and Jamie Mascoll from Hornchurch. Also Cameron Black has arrived on loan from Dorking Wanderers.
On top of these impressive signings Cray have also retained a number of key individuals from last seasons 5th place finish. Shaun Rowley, Sam Wood, Anthony Cook, Nyren Clunis, Mitch Chapman, David Ijaha, Rio Campbell, Tom Derry and Yahaya Bamba have all opted to remain at Hayes Lane.
Another playoff finish is highly likely for Cray.
Concord links
- Current Cray midfielder Anthony Cook previously spent time at Concord in 2008 on loan from Dagenham & Redbridge.
- Concord summer signing Luca Albon spent six months with Cray Wanderers in 2022 prior to his move to Canvey Island.
- Cray summer signing George Porter found himself on target against Concord when with Maidstone United in 2020 - netting the Stones' third goal in their 6-0 win.
Head-to head
- Concord wins: 1
- Draws: 0
- Cray wins: 1
When we meet
Dulwich Hamlet
Stadium: Champion Hill (Capacity: 3,334)
Distance from the Aspect Arena: 40.2 miles
2022/23 table position: 21st (National League South)
2022/23 top scorer: George Porter (13)
Manager: Hakan Hayrettin
2022/23 average attendance: 2,487
Last campaign saw Dulwich Hamlet relegated from the National League South alongside Concord following a final day defeat at home to Chippenham Town.
Despite boasting the leagues highest average attendance, a big budget and a respected manager in Hakan Hayrettin; the Londoners couldn't avoid the drop and returned to step three following a five year absence.
Since then Hayrettin has undertook a major clear-out at Champion Hill and on August the 5th the Hamlet will start the campaign with an almost entirely different squad to the one that ended the previous season.
Quade Taylor, Will Wood, Johl Powell, Dan Smith, Ronnie Vint, Charlie Grainger and Joe Felix have departed to Carshalton Athletic, Welling United, Tonbridge Angels, Bognor Regis Town, Lewes, Hastings United and Worthing respectively. Whilst Jack Holland, Frankie Raymond and George Porter have all left to Cray.
On top of this Kalvin Kalala, Nana Owusu, Aaron Jones, Andre Blackman, Omari Hibbert, Josh Fawole and Nebay Haile have all been released.
In fact from last campaigns squad only Sanchez Ming, Kreshnic Krasniqi and Danny Mills have signed on for the new season.
However Dulwich have filled the gaps left by bringing in some eye-catching new signings.
The Hamlet had the worse defensive record in the division and as a result have bolstered their backline ahead of the new season. Mark Rickets and Jerome Binnon-Williams have both arrived having played National League football last season for Boreham Wood and Maidstone United respectively. Meanwhile Craig Braham-Barrett and Jeremiah Gyebi played their trade in the National League South last term for Tonbridge Angels and Hungerford Town but have opted to switch to Champion Hill this summer. Michael Chambers and Cem Tumkaya have also been added to the Dulwich backline as well as new goalkeeper Ravan Constable.
In midfield Ryley Scott, Alfie Allen, Luke Wanadio and Ade Shokunbi are all new with the latter two both joining from Dover Athletic.
Finally in attack the experienced Adrian Clifton has signed from Maidenhead United having spent time on loan with Hampton & Richmond Borough last term and former Concord man Anthony Jeffrey has made the move from Billericay Town.
Thanks to their impressive attendances Dulwich will be able to boast a healthier budget than most throughout the course of the season so will be able to invest in more high quality players as the campaign goes on.
Anything less than the playoffs would come as a shock.
Concord links
- Dulwich summer signing Ryley Scott had a one month long loan spell with Concord from Dagenham & Redbridge in February 2022.
- Dulwich midfielder Kreshnic Krasniqi and attacker Anthony Jeffrey have also both had stints with the Beach Boys.
- Dulwich striker Danny Mills has bagged four goals against Rangers for the Hamlet.
Head-to head
- Concord wins: 3
- Draws: 6
- Dulwich wins: 1
When we meet
Enfield Town
Stadium: Queen Elizabeth II Stadium (Capacity: 2,500)
Distance from the Aspect Arena: 38.2 miles
2022/23 table position: 9th
2022/23 top scorer: Jake Cass (20)
Manager: Gavin Macpherson
2022/23 average attendance: 495
Concord's first opponents of the upcoming season, Enfield Town will be looking to go one better and break into the playoffs having finished five points outside the top five last term.
The summer began with a change in the dugout as former Metropolitan Police manager Gavin Macpherson arrived at the Towners.
Since his arrival experienced goalkeeper and striker Nathan McDonald and Adam Cunnington both moved to Bedford Town. Lyle Della-Verde, Andre Coker, Anthony Wordsworth and Khale Da Costa have also left joining Cray Valley Paper Mills, Folkestone Invicta, Chelmsford City and Concord Rangers.
Coming into the club Macpherson has brought Louis Birch with him from Met Police as well as former Met midfielder Ollie Knight from Horsham.
Rhys Forster, Kyle Bailey, Sami Bessadi and Reece Beckles-Richards are all new in North London with each of them having played for a step two club at some point last season (namely Slough, Hungerford, Weymouth and Cheshunt respectively).
Finally Mickey Parcell has re-joined Enfield having spent four years with Hornchurch.
From last seasons squad Adi Connolly, James Richmond, Joe Payne, Kian Wilkes, Sam Youngs, Lewis Taaffe, Scott Thomas, Jake Cass and Marcus Wyllie have all signed on for the Towners.
The 2021/22 campaign saw Enfield boast the second best home record in the division whereas last season they had the 12th best record on home turf so making the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium a fortress again will be crucial for the Macpherson's side.
The Towners will have their eyes set on the playoffs but a midtable finish is probably more likely.
Concord links
- Current Towners Lewis Taaffe and Joe Payne have both previously donned the yellow and blue of Concord.
- Rangers' fourth signing of the summer, Khale Da Costa, returned to the Beach Boys from Enfield in June with whom he made seven appearances for at the back end of last season.
- Enfield summer signing Reece Beckles-Richards scored a penalty against Concord for Cheshunt on Boxing Day last season.
Head-to head
- Concord wins: 2
- Draws: 0
- Enfield wins: 1
When we meet
Folkestone Invicta
Stadium: Alcaline Stadium (Capacity: 4,000)
Distance from the Aspect Arena: 78 miles
2022/23 table position: 12th
2022/23 top scorer: Ade Yusuff (25)
Managers: Roland Edge and Michael Everitt
2022/23 average attendance: 732
Last season Folkestone finished 12th in the table five points off the top half.
Despite losing top scorer Ade Yusuff to Hornchurch in February the Stripes were able to finish the campaign strongly losing only 6 of their 14 remaining games following Yusuff's departure.
The Seasiders will be looking to bring this momentum into the new season despite a number of changes at the Alcaline Stadium.
Ronnie Dolan and James Rogers have both joined Lydd Town with Josh Vincent, Ian Draycott and Nathan Green departing to Faversham Town, Ashford United, Lydd Town and Hornchurch respectively.
Exciting young defender Crossley Lema joined the Stripes at the end of May from Carshalton Athletic, however 22 days later he opted to leave Folkestone for National League South outfit Welling United.
In response to these outgoings Roland Edge and Michael Everitt have signed experienced defender Jake Goodman from Dover to boost the defence.
Midfielders Kane Penn, Ade Cole and Andy Drury have joined from division rivals Hastings United, Margate and Chatham Town.
Whilst in attack Andre Coker has arrived from Enfield Town and David Smith has re-joined Invicta from Bromley having spent time on loan with Hastings last term.
Folkestone have also retained Patrick Ohman, Joe Coleman, Ian Gayle, Callum Davies, Scott Heard, Jordan Ababio, Jake Dancer, Ibrahim Olutade, Ira Jackson, Lenny Atherton, Fin Dent and Bradley Walledge.
Another bottom half finish is likely to be on the horizon for the Kent club.
Concord links
- Invicta goalkeeper Patrick Ohman made two appearances for Concord last season.
- Folkestone forward Ibrahim Olutade scored against Concord when with Tonbridge Angels in 2021. The 25-year-old scored the Angels' second goal in a game that would finish 3-2 to the Beach Boys.
- Folkestone summer signing Jake Goodman was part of the Dover Athletic side that were beaten 3-0 by Concord at Crabble in October of last season.
Head-to head
- Concord wins: 0
- Draws: 0
- Folkestone wins: 0
When we meet
Haringey Borough
Stadium: Coles Park (Capacity: 2,500)
Distance from the Aspect Arena: 40.4 miles
2022/23 table position: 15th
2022/23 top scorer: Ben Allen (9)
Manager: Tom Loizou
2022/23 average attendance: 432
Last term Haringey Borough eased to another season at step three level with Tom Loizou's side finishing four places and 18 points clear of the drop zone.
So far the Londoners have been quiet in the transfer market with defender Dexter Peter and midfielder Arthur Iontton being the only new signings - arriving from Bowers & Pitsea and Hendon respectively.
So far 11 players have been retained at Coles Park with the majority of these being midfielders.
Goalkeeper Max Ovenden has signed on alongside defenders Scott Mitchell, Michael O'Donoghue and Rakim Richards.
In the middle of the park Tage Kennedy, Georgios Aresti, Jorge Sambu, Stefanos Georgiou, Bobson Bawling and Matt Young have all committed their futures to the Borough.
However some bad news has graced Coles Park this summer with top scorer Ben Allen departing Haringey for Chatham Town having bagged nine goals in 16 appearances for Borough in the second half of last season.
Allen's goals will need replacing urgently if Haringey are to compete this season and with no recognised goal scorer within the squad it could be a season of struggle at Coles Park.
Concord links
- Haringey defender Michael O'Donoghue has been with the Borough since moving to Coles Park from Concord in 2020.
- Haringey's first signing of the summer Dexter Peter enjoyed a month long spell with Concord in August 2017.
- Concord goalkeeper Lamar Johnson was once a Haringey player prior to his move to Hornchurch.
Head-to head
- Concord wins: 0
- Draws: 0
- Haringey wins: 0
When we meet
Part three of the season preview will be the penultimate edition covering: Hashtag United, Hastings United, Hornchurch, Horsham, Kingstonian and Lewes.
By Nathan Williams
Brilliant
ReplyDelete