Who could we face next season?

As the season draws to a close, I thought it would be worth taking a look at the leagues above and below the Blue Square Premier to see who Boro could face next season, if they don’t get promoted. If we do go up, believe me I will be doing a profile of every single club we could face in League 2, the Carling Cup and the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy throughout the summer!

League 2

It’s been a funny season at the bottom of League 2 this year. Luton have been bottom all season as they were deducted 30 points before a ball was even kicked. Their relegation to the Blue Square Premier was confirmed on Easter Monday after a 0-0 draw at home to Chesterfield. It comes just 8 days after the Bedfordshire side won the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at Wembley, beating League 1 Scunthorpe United after extra time. Luton’s demise this season means another ‘big’ club in the BSP next season joining the likes of Cambridge, Oxford and Wrexham who all have proud histories behind them.

At the moment the 1 remaining relegation place looks like being between 3 clubs. Bournemouth, Grimsby and Chester City are all fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table. Bournemouth have done well to get out of the bottom two after they were also deducted points at the beginning of the campaign. I think they have enough to get out of trouble, but they face both Grimsby and Chester in what could be huge games for all the clubs involved. I think if Bournemouth win their 1 home game remaining, against Grimsby, then they will be safe.

Grimsby have two very winnable home games left, plus the trip to Dean Court to face Bournemouth. Mike Newell’s side are also on a bit of a run of form at the moment so I can see Grimsby getting out of it too. That just leaves Chester, who have been on a downward spiral all season. Simon Davies lost his job midway through the season for Mark Wright to take over again, but he hasn’t been able to halt the slide down the table and City are now dangerously close to returning to non-league football for the first time since they won the Conference in 2004. They are currently a point behind both Grimsby and Bournemouth in the table and face the South Coast side next in a huge game at the Deva. A trip to Aldershot follows before a home game against Darlington on the last day. My prediction is that Chester will follow Luton out of the Football League.

Blue Square South

AFC Wimbledon look favourites to win the Blue Square South title and automatic promotion to the Premier. Terry Brown’s side are currently 3 points clear of second place Hampton & Richmond with just 2 games remaining. Their next game is away at Hampton in what has to be a title decider. If AFC Wimbledon win the game, they win promotion to the Blue Square Premier. It would mean a return to Broadhall Way next season for Jason Goodliffe, Sam Hatton, Chris Sullivan and Rocky Baptiste. The play-off picture looks pretty certain. It’s likely to be between Hampton & Richmond, Eastleigh, Hayes & Yeading and Chelmsford for the last remaining spot from the South. Chelmsford were challenging at the top for a while at the beginning of the season, but have curbed off a bit as it’s gone on. They have a lot of experienced players at Conference level, with a number coming from Canvey Island.

Hayes & Yeading have done considerably well this season to be challenging for promotion and they would be my outside tip to win the play-offs. Eastleigh are always there or thereabouts in the BSS and it’s no surprise they are in contention again. Hampton & Richmond were losing finalists in last season’s play-off final to Eastbourne Borough at Broadhall Way. If they don’t win the title then they will be favourites for the play-offs. My prediction for promotion from the Blue Square South is AFC Wimbledon & Hayes & Yeading.

Blue Square North

The title is far from decided in the Blue Square North. Tamworth are favourites to win the league and return to the division they were relegated from two seasons ago. They are currently 2 points clear of second placed Gateshead with a game in hand. The Lambs have 3 games left, two at home and if they win them then they will go up. Gateshead have had a great season in the North under manager Ian Bogie. If they win promotion to the BSP, then another familiar face will be returning to Broadhall Way in Paul Thompson, who for a time was Boro’s record signing. Players from Graham Westley’s previous era are also trying to get Gateshead up. Matt Hocking and Darryn Stamp are currently plying their trade at the International Stadium.

The remaining play-off spots are currently occupied by Southport, Alfreton and AFC Telford. Droylsden and Stalybridge are just outside. If Southport are not struggling in the Conference, then they are close to winning promotion in the Northern Division. They along with Northwich Victoria are the perennial yo-yo clubs of non-league football. They lost in the play-offs last season and I think they’ll miss out again this season.

Alfreton, like Boro, are the form team going into the last few games of the season and I can see Nicky Law’s side going all the way. The Derbyshire side could face a new rivalry with Mansfield Town next season. AFC Telford have had a good run in the FA Trophy this season and are always there or thereabouts in the Blue Square North. They have just sacked top scorer Terry Fearns and that could cost them a return to the top tier of Non League Football. My bet is on Tamworth and Alfreton making the Blue Square Premier next season.