Chris Vessey introduces the clubs we will meet this season in the Football Conference.

(Apologies for the slight technical delay in bringing you this article)

Aldershot Town - No one will have been more frustrated at the Shots' poor showing last season than manager Terry Brown. Their first two seasons in the Conference heralded top five finishes, including an appearance in a play-off final. Last season the Hampshire outfit were tipped to be promoted but everything went wrong from day one. A loss at Tamworth saw the trend of the season begin, one of inconsistency. They lost players through injury early on, including David Lee with a broken leg, and top scorer Tim Sills was sold to Oxford when it was clear the Shots were not going up.

During the off season Brown completely cleared the decks, releasing around 12 players. He lost ex-U Matt Somner, who returned to work under Steve Thompson at Notts County. For replacements, the Hampshire outfit have made a number of impressive signings. John Grant will bolster the forward line after signing from Halifax (Grant scored against the U's at the Abbey). Former Premiership star Marcus Gayle has penned a year's contract, whilst impressive Mansfield defender Rhys Day surprisingly dropped down a division to play at the Rec'.

The basis of a good squad exists for Brown and once again they are tipped for at least a play off place, and one figures that after tasting relative success, the fans will not accept another season of mid table mediocrity.

Altrincham - Most people involved with Altrincham are just glad to be appearing in the Conference National after the rollercoaster ride of a season they had last year. Still part-time, they managed to battle out a series of tough, gritty victories against many established Conference sides. After satisfying themselves with a safe lower midtable position, they got a shock when they had found out manager-cum-club secretary Graham Heathcote had registered player James Robinson without realising he needed international clearance because Robinson failed to declare he had last played in Iceland.

The Conference and FA hit the Robins with an 18 point deduction, which they failed to reduce on appeal. That deduction left them relegated but another twist of fate saved the club's place in the Conference, when Scarborough failed to ensure they could get out of administration and were relegated in Alty's place. Relieved with the escape, Heathcote planned for the season ahead, bringing in Steve Bushell and Justin Bowler from Halifax, whilst Joe O'Neill was signed from York to partner Colin Little up front. A fully fit Little will be crucial for Altys survival chances; the former Crewe hitman netted 17 goals last season and will be required to do similar for Altrincham to remain a top division side.

Burton Albion - Nigel Clough will be quietly confident about his side's chances of springing a surprise or two this season, especially after securing Daryl Clare's signature for this season at least.

Last season never really took off in the League; a poor start ensured they were always chasing the top eight, and then came the plum FA Cup draw all non league teams dream about when Burton were paired with Manchester United at their new Pirelli Stadium.

The fun didn't stop there as the Brewers shocked the football world by drawing 0-0 against an array of Premiership stars. The replay was a 4-0 drubbing at Old Trafford but Burton had been thrust into the national limelight for weeks, somewhat distracting them from their league duties.

Burton ended up finishing a creditable 9th, with Clough keeping confidence in last seasons squad. The only additions are midfielder Lee Fowler from Scarborough and 'keeper Stuart Tomlinson from Crewe.

Crawley Town - If Cambridge United fans thought we had it tough at the start of last season, spare a thought for John Hollins' Crawley Town team. After limping to a finish of 17th last season, mainly helped by a end of season five match winning streak, they faced some major problems this pre-season. After problems with the club owners, all players were transfer listed and their wages were slashed in half. This exercised a release clause and most players left.

Only five of last seasons squad, including former U's Tony Scully (pictured) and Lee Blackburn, reported back for the first training session.

The last few weeks have seen various wrangles between former owners, proposed owners and the Football Conference as they try to thrash out a deal. In short, Crawley have been allowed to start the season, but many fans and experts are predicting they may struggle to finish the season. If they do, they face a long hard toil as most registered players are youth team youngsters and non contract trialists.

Town also face starting with -10 points after entering administration, but could take heart from Northwich's efforts two years ago, who started the same and finished comfortably mid-table.

Dagenham & Redbridge - Anyone who saw our final game of the season with the Daggers will see that although they are lacking big name players, they have the grit and determination to grind out results against the best sides. Their manager John Still has committed to a long contract but didn't feel the need to improve his squad too much for this season.

Top scorer from last season Chris Moore moved onto bigger things by signing for League 1 team Brentford, whilst the bulk of last season's squad were retained on yearly contracts. Striker Cliff Akurang has vowed to fill the boots of the departing Moore by firing the goals that could take the Daggers higher than the 12th place they finished last season.

Exeter City - The Grecians are fast becoming the nearly men of the Conference, after suffering a third successive season of just missing out on the play-offs near to the final day. Then came the news that manager Alec Inglethorpe had been approached by Spurs with a view to a coaching role, and the opportunity was too good for Inglethorpe to turn down.

After interviewing various candidates, Paul Tisdale was appointed boss. Tisdale was manager at Team Bath and had played for Southampton and Exeter during a long playing career. He wasted no time in stamping his own authority on the squad by selling Santos Gaia, Craig Farrell and Glenn Cronin. In came Forest Green skipper Jon Richardson, Patrick Ada, Rob Edwards and Bertie Cozic from Northampton, whilst the most impressive signing was Adam Stansfield of Hereford. Stansfield hit 24 goals in 42 appearances for the Bulls to help them return to the football league. His partnership up front with Lee Phillips, backed up by the attacking midfield prowess of Jon Challinor, will be a major factor in whether Exeter can banish the 'nearly men' status.

Forest Green Rovers - FGR only played in the Conference National last season after Northwich were relegated due to ground problems, and manager Gary Owers knew they were in for a tough season. Still, that didn't stop them giving Cambridge United a harsh 'welcome' to the non-league, defeating us by a solitary goal in the first game of the season.

Despite this, the season was a major struggle and only the influential loan signing of Guy Madjo from Bristol City probably saved Rovers from dropping down to the Conference South. His nine goals in the second half of the season helped FGR finish above the bottom two on goal difference, although Canvey Island's resignation would have saved their skin for one more season. They have left old ground 'The Lawn' for pastures new, a brand new 5,000 stadium erected just a hundred yards up from their old home of 70 years

Improving the defensive side of things has been Owers' main line of transfer activity, signing Christian Edwards from Bristol Rovers and securing a year's loan for Wycombe goalkeeper Steve Williams. Despite this, many have predicted a season of struggle for FGR, and they will do very well to stay out of the bottom three.

Gravesend & Northfleet - Ex Cambridge legend Liam Daish remains at the helm this season for the 'Fleet, hoping to steadily improve on last season's tame finish of 16th. To ensure Daish has the best facilities, the club decided to go full time this year, although it slightly backfired when some of their better players left after deciding to keep their original jobs. A total of eleven players departed, leaving the management with a busy summer of recruitment to fill the ever increasing gaps in the squad.

Fans were critical of the full time move, questioning why a side averaging just over a thousand in attendances can sustain paying full time wages. However, Daish recruited a number of players he sees capable of steering the 'Fleet to a top half finish. Stacy Long joined from Notts County, but misfortune struck when he was injured in his first training session. Sacha Opinel (Crawley) and Peter Hawkins (Rushden) were signed to bolster the defence, whilst Canvey's Jon Keeling and Danny Ekoku signed to boost the frontline. Our two games with Gravesend last season were both bruising, dour draws. A 0-0 draw was all the sides could muster at Stonebridge Road, and we failed to capitalise on a 'Fleet sending off at the Abbey, the game finishing 1-1.

Grays Athletic - Grays recorded a fantastic first season in the Conference, reaching the play offs and winning the coveted FA Trophy. The play-offs held the disappointment of a semi-final loss to Halifax, but the fans from Essex had every reason to be proud of Grays' achievements.

Optimism for the new season was dashed when up and coming manager Mark Stimson resigned, citing a desire to manage in the Football League. Stimson soon resurfaced as boss of Stevenage Borough, proving loyalty is all but dead in football, and this move should ensure a nice return to the Recreation Ground for Stimson when the sides meet in February!

Many supporters feared the more illustrious Stevenage would prise away their better players, but Stimpson steered clear of his old club and Frank Gray was appointed as the new manager. In their first friendly captain and player of the year Stuart Thurgood broke his leg and they also had some poor results against lower sides, leaving Athletic supporters fearing the worst.

But Gray managed to steadily sign a few players ready for the new season, most notably capturing two former U's, John Turner and Ashley Nicholls, who were both relegated from the Football League for the second successive season.

Halifax Town - The Shaymen are everything you'd expect from a gritty, uncompromising Northern team. They proved themselves hard to beat, hard in the tackle and good at grinding out '90's-style Arsenal' 1-0 wins. They remained unbeaten at home until the last day of the season, and that form ensured a play-off berth. They disposed of favourites Grays without much fuss, but met their match in the final against Hereford. In an open attacking game, they succumbed to a 3-2 defeat in extra time, rueing lots of missed chances in normal time.

This didn't faze boss Chris Wilder, who signed up the main engine of the team for next season, including the surprise capture of Kiwi international Shane Smeltz from AFC Wimbledon. Also joining the ranks for the West Yorkshire side are Crewe defender Mark Roberts, and ex-Cardiff striker Andy Campbell, who has performed in the Premiership for Middlesbrough. Many at the Shay are quietly confident they can go one better this season, and if they stay injury free they will definitely be challenging for at least the play-offs.

Kidderminster Harriers - The Harriers came down to the Conference with ourselves, and found it considerably harder to adjust, despite a relatively bright start. After sniffing around the top five early doors, they embarked on a run of 10 games without a win, which became too much for the Kiddy board to bear, and Stuart Watkiss was sacked.

In came a new manager on the form of Kiddy legend Mark Yates, who captained the side to the Football League 6 years ago. Yates steadily improved the side, keeping them just far enough away from the ugly relegation scrap beneath them in the table, finally finishing 15th.

The summer has been about rebuilding, and Kiddy made the major coup of signing Jeff Kenna, who gave many years' service in the Premiership for Blackburn Rovers. Eyebrows were raised in Worcestershire when they captured Dwayne Lee from Barnet and promising winger Brian Smikle from WBA. Yates knows this season has to be a big improvement on the last, and fans are expecting no less than a top ten finish.

Morecambe - This season the Shrimps start the season with a new manager for the first time in ten years, and what a controversial decision that was. Former boss Jim Harvey was unfortunately taken to hospital before our game at Christie Park, suffering from a mild heart attack.

Doctors advised Harvey to take the rest of the season off to recuperate, so Morecambe responded by appointing former Northern Ireland chief Sammy McIllroy as manager on a caretaker basis. Come the end of the season, Morecambe had finished just outside the play-offs, a minor setback from previous season's efforts when Harvey had led them to two comfortable top five finishes. The Shrimps then made the shock decision to inform Harvey his services were no longer needed, appointing McIllroy as full time manager.

Ignoring accusations of stealing Harvey's job, he has signed David McNiven from Scarborough, Craig Stanley from Hereford and Danny Meadowcroft from Mossley in recent weeks. There was bad news last week though when dynamic midfielder David Perkins handed in a transfer request, which was rejected by the club. Days before the opening game against Burton, Perkins handed in a second request, which has yet to be commented on by the management team.

Preview concludes on Tuesday [link]

Chris Vessey

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