The National League’s main season is finished for another campaign, but with the play-offs ongoing and retained lists flowing, it’s certainly been a busy week in the Non-League scene.
Barnet have already clinched their return to the EFL after winning the National League, whilst more success was awarded to Brackley Town and Truro City as they clinch promotion to the English fifth-tier.
Elsewhere, Dagenham & Redbridge, Maidenhead United, AFC Fylde and Ebbsfleet United all suffered relegations out of the division after a challenging campaign all round.
However, there has been a lot of stories over the last week that even the most alert Non-League fans may have missed, so here is a full roundup of the bigger talking points…
The play-off battle heats up:
It’s been a week of two very entertaining play-off matches in the National League, whilst four clubs in the sixth-tier prepare for their respective finals.
Oldham Athletic began the week with a thumping 4-0 victory against FC Halifax Town in-front of a packed Boundary Park. Micky Mellon’s side had scored three times in the opening 15 minutes and cruised to their semi-final place.
Elsewhere, Southend United came from 3-1 down to beat Rochdale 4-3 in extra time to book the final semi-final place, where they will travel to Forest Green Rovers.
These respective semi-final matches (York vs Oldham and Forest Green Rovers vs Southend) will take place next week.
In addition, Sunday will see both the National League North and National League South play-off finals, meaning by Monday we will officially know two more sides competing in the division next season.
Scunthorpe host Chester in the northern final whilst Boreham Wood take on Maidstone United.
Woking make it a hat-trick:
Plenty of focus will slowly begin to shift onto the retained list, with clubs having until Saturday 24th May to submit their official lists.
However, this hasn’t stopped Neal Ardley’s Woking from making an early start to their preparations.
This week saw the club confirm three new contracts to key assets, handing them a huge morale boost heading into their summer recruitment.
Experienced forward Aidan O’Brien began the week with his deal, before defender Tariq Hinds and winger Matt Ward put pen-to-paper. All three have signed two-year contracts with the football club.
Shock exit at Dagenham:
In Non-League football, it isn’t necessarily rare to see a lower-leagued club invest money into big named signings to try and climb up the divisions.
This time it was Maldon & Tiptree’s chance to sign, with the side already having both Elliot Justham and Anthony Wordsworth at their disposal.
However, a new name was added into the mix on Friday with the side raiding Dagenham & Redbridge for a second time in as many months.
This time, experienced defender Tom Eastman (formerly of Colchester United) joined the Non-League side following Dagenham’s relegation down to the National League South.
Ardley seals monthly award:
The footballing season may be at an end, but earlier this week the National League themselves confirmed that Woking manager Neal Ardley had won April’s Manager of the Month award.
Woking picked up 13 points from their seven matches across April, climbing clear of any potential relegation-battle in the process.
Worthing goalkeeper attracts National League attention:
On Thursday, journalist Pete O’Rourke reported that Worthing goalkeeper Chris Haigh was the subject of National League and National League South attention after keeping 12 clean sheets for Worthing.
He did confirm that all parties were in talks over a new deal, but this has since changed following Friday’s confirmation that Haigh had left the club after his contract came to an end.
Though no sides have been directly credited with an interest, the fact he is a free agent suggests interest is growing in the goalkeeper ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.
The Deck’s National League Team of the Season reveal…
Over the course of the week, The Deck have opened a vote for fans of the National League to vote for their official Team of the Season.
This vote closed on Friday at 5pm, with the final squad now being finalised ahead of its reveal on Saturday (17th).
There was just shy of 400 votes in total and the squad itself is certainly strong so stay tuned by clicking here so you don’t miss the reveal this weekend.