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Southern League Division One Central Preview 2014/15

The start of another Southern League Division One Central season is just a few days away for Aylesbury United, here is our look ahead to the new campaign and a brief assessment of each of the 22 teams.

AFC Hayes Last season: 18/22

Hayes ended last season poorly, as Ian Crane's side eventually finished in 18th place - which was a slip of three places on the season before. The club's campaign seemed to implode when they were left reeling by lengthy bans given to three players, including top scorer Lawrie Shennan, by the Football Association for breaches in betting regulations. News emanating from the club this summer has been in short supply, but preseason results have been encouraging, including a recent 3-1 win over Premier Division Burnham. Amongst several new faces, former Wealdstone and Northwood striker Reece Grant has been in good scoring form. 'The Brook' open their campaign with a local derby against newly promoted neighbours Hanwell Town in what should be an intriguing contest.

Top signing: Reece GrantOne to watch: Tashan Jordan

Aylesbury FC Last season: 16/22

Manager Steve Bateman did a good job of stabilising the club in the latter stages of last season, and a ten-match unbeaten run helped them move away from the wrong end of the table. Looking for an improved finish this time around, Bateman has brought in former Aylesbury United and Staines Town defender Daniel Gordon as his player/assistant, as well as some key squad reinforcements such as the experienced left back Danny Murphy and defender Kyle Anthony. All eyes will be on the Moles at the end of August as a mouthwatering FA Cup tie has thrown the two Aylesbury clubs together in the Preliminary Round.

Top signing: Daniel GordonOne to watch: Gareth Price

Aylesbury United Last season: 12/22

Aylesbury's first season back in the Southern League was more than satisfactory - with a midtable league finish and a number of noteworthy cup wins, including beating higher level opponents on a number of occasions, along the way. Repeating that achievement is the next challenge for manager Tony Joyce as he embarks on his fifth full season (and soon to be 250th game) in charge. The core nucleus of the squad has been retained, whilst Lea Coulter has rejoined in addition to a sprinkling of new, exciting young talent including Jesse Waites and Shaun Owens, as the Ducks look to consolidate their Southern League credentials once more.

Top signing: Lea CoulterOne to watch: Zack Reynolds

Barton Rovers Last season: 6/22

All change at Barton this summer as Dan Kennoy left his managerial position, and was replaced by his assistants Wes Byrne - who has previous managerial experience at Langford - and Richard Wilmot - a former Aylesbury United goalkeeper - as a joint managerial team. On the playing front, a number of key players have re-signed for another season, including club captain Paul Andrews, striker Nat Peacock - who was prolific last season before a move to Biggleswade Town - has rejoined Rovers, and former Cambridge United youngster James Peters has made the step up from Biggleswade United.

Top signing: Nat PeacockOne to watch: Keshi Anderson

Beaconsfield SYCOB Last season: 8/22

Another club to have changed managers over the summer, Gsry Meakin made the short hop to Premier Division Burnham after less than a year in charge, with Aylesbury United midfielder and Hayes & Yeading manager Naseem Bashir taking the helm as part of a partnership with the FAB Academy. With most of the previous playing squad having departed for pastures new, it will be a new look Rams who start the season, but with low expectations SYCOB will be hoping to be on the edge of the playoffs as they were for much of the last campaign.

Top signing: Charlie HillOne to watch: Aaron Berry

Bedford Town Last season: 22/23 (Premier Division)

The Eagles were relegated after a dismal season which saw them go 33 games without a win and 19 defeats in a row at one point under managers Lee Bearman and former Aylesbury man Danny Nicholls. Although the damage was already done, current incumbent to the hot seat, Crag Adams, oversaw a new optimism at the tail end of the season, including three straight wins, and Bedford will no doubt be hoping to bounce straight back from their lowest level since the turn of the millenium. The experienced Neil King, who started his career with Aylesbury, is amongst their summer signings. Aylesbury will be looking to finally break their 'Eyrie hoodoo' this season having never yet won at Town's home ground.

Top signing: Aaron KingOne to watch: Tom Liversage

Bedworth United Last season: 20/21 (Unibond Division One South)

Transferred back to the Southern League after a solitary season in the Unibond Division One South, the Greenbacks were saved from relegation by manager Stuart Storer, who was appointed just before Christmas 2013 with the club rooted to the foot of the table, seven points from safety. His hard work ensured Bedworth rallied and eventually finished four points clear of the dropzone. The biggest summer news from the club is the £600,000 installation of an artificial 3G surface at the Oval, partly funded by a Football Foundation grant, which will transform the stadium into an all-weather facility. The new facilities Bedworth can now offer has no doubt helped Storer in retaining most of his squad, with some very experienced names amongst it, whilst strikers Alex Naughton and Daniel Creaney have both joined from local football.

Top signing: Alex NaughtonOne to watch: David Blenkinsopp

Chalfont St. Peter Last season: 14/22

Manager Danny Edwards is the longest serving in the division, going into his 11th season in charge of the South Bucks outfit. The Saints once again go into a new campaign with a settled squad, including Alan Hedley, Terrell Lewis, Gareth Paxton and Michael Power-Simpson, who have over 1000 Chalfont appearances between them. If the Saints can become a consistent force, then a higher league placing could be in the offing, but, once again, survival will be the primary objective.

Top signing: Aaron LansiquotOne to watch: Terrell Lewis

Daventry Town Last season: 4/22

Having thrown away an excellent Championship winning position last season, as sheer number of games eventually took their toll, manager Darran Foster will be looking to be challenging for honours again this time out. Several key players have moved on (Liam Dolman to AFC Rushden & Diamonds, Neil King and Scott Cross to Bedford, etc.) but appear to have been adequately replaced by the likes of winger Dior Angus (Solihull Moors), striker Mitchell Piggon (Rugby Town) and defender Nathan Haines (Rugby Town), amongst others. Friendly results have been mostly encouraging, too, suggesting that Daventry will be right up at the top of the table again.

Top signing: Dior AngusOne to watch: Mitchell Piggon

Egham Town Last season: 11/22

Egham enjoyed a solid first season back at this level and secured a midtable finish, which they will be looking to consolidate again in the 2014/15 campaign. Manager Lee Passmore has been busy recruiting over the summer, signing former Ashford Town (Mx) captain Scott Weight and striker Dan Read from Godalming Town, whilst Matt Grave and Charlie Muldowney have returned to the club. Last season's top scorer Reis Stanislaus has also remained at the club and been in good form through preseason.

Top signing: Scott WeightOne to watch: Reis Stanislaus

Godalming Town Last season: 18/22 (Division One South & West)

Andy Hunt's first season in charge of Godalming brought about a respectable 18th place finish, as he was forced to put together an entirely new squad following the departure of previous managers Neil Baker and Jon Underwood, and much of the playing squad, to Slough Town. As a result of their transfer back to the Central Division, Godalming start the season in a different competition for the fourth season running. Former Aylesbury striker Neil Selby is assistant manager.

Top signing: Andy CrossleyOne to watch: Jack Mazzone

Hanwell Town Last season: 1/22 (Spartan South Midlands League)

With 111 points, Hanwell were runaway Champions of the Spartan South Midlands League, taking the title by 14 points over nearest rivals Ampthill Town, and a familiar opponent to the Ducks given recent meetings in that competition. Manager Ray Duffy, who has four other Duffy's within his squad, has only made a handful of new signings as he gives his team chance to stake their claim at the higher level, a team which 55-goal former Hertford Town striker Billy Healey is still a part of.

Top signing: Danny VincentOne to watch: Billy Healey

Kettering Town Last season: 3/22

Last season's beaten playoff finalists, letting a two-goal half time lead slip before losing 3-2 to Slough Town, Kettering have been installed as many people's title favourites going into this season. For the first time in a few years, expectations amongst Poppies supporters are high, but the club will be under new management after Dean Thomas stood down at the end of the season, with Scott Machin and Thomas Baillie stepping up as joint managers to fill the void. The duo have wasted no time in tweaking an already strong squad, with influential defender Brett Solkhon returning after three years at Brackley Town, Ross Oulton transferring from Daventry Town and Avelino Vieira - top scorer for St Ives Town last season - has also spent preseason with Kettering.

Top signing: Brett SolkhonOne to watch: Josh Moreman

Leighton Town Last season: 19/22

As one of five clubs in the division to have changed manager over the summer, the Leighton Town that starts the new season will be barely recognisable from that which flirted with relegation last time out. Previous manager Craig Wells stood down at the end of the campaign citing difference of opinion with the board, and his replacement, Craig Bicknell, has brought in virtually his entire (very successful) squad from Ampthill Town. That includes returns for former Leighton players Warren Garcia, Tyrone Taylor and Danny Watson - the latter scoring some 52 goals for Ampthill last season. It all points towards a much better season in the offing for Aylesbury's landlords.

Top signing: Danny WatsonOne to watch: Ashley Farmer

Marlow Last season: 17/22

Marlow's manager Mark Bartley has been busy bolstering his squad as the Blues prepare for a second season back in the Southern League following their Hellenic League Championship of 2013. Last season midfielder Ben Gladwin made a successful move into the professional game with Swindon Town, and another hole in the midfield emerged during preseason when Lewis Gabbidon moved on to Oxford City, but the capture of Shortwood United captain Jake Parrott, and the prolific Jon Bennett - 33 goals in 35 games after joining from Ascot United last season - committing to the cause again, are both key as Marlow look to move up the league.

Top signing: Jake ParrottOne to watch: Tony Mendy

North Greenford United Last season: 20/22

After Neil Shipperley left the club, reserve team manager Paul Palmer stepped up to the first team, and under his stewardship North Greenford managed to gain just enough wins to keep them in the Southern League for a fifth season. The club have never finished above 18th at this level, so that and Step 4 survival once again look likely to be Palmer's target.

Top signing: Ibrahim BahOne to watch: Anthony O'Connor

Northwood Last season: 9/22

The Woods made solid progress under Mark Burgess (a former Aylesbury midfielder) last season, and looked like serious playoff contenders for a time before ultimately finishing ninth. Burgess now faces a major rebuilding task following the departure of Nico Muir, Karl Oliyide and Oliver Sprague who were mainstays of the team but have all opted to join higher level clubs. Northwood have signed a number of highly promising Wealdstone youngsters, but only time will tell whether they can fill the gaps successfully, and in particular the 44 goals Muir and Oliyide scored between them.

Top signing: Omar VassellOne to watch: Dave Lawrence

Potters Bar Town Last season: 15/22

Player/Manager Jack Friend has been working hard over the summer with the players at his disposal, as he tries to better Potters Bar's finish in what was their first season back in the Southern League last time out. No major new signings have been reported by the rookie boss - who was appointed midway through last season at the age of just 23, but Josh Hutchinson has showed good form during preseason.

Top signing: Laurence RispoliOne to watch: Josh Hutchinson

Royston Town Last season: 7/22

The Crows took something of a backwards step last season, finishing ten points adrift of a playoff spot having been just two points the year before. Manager Paul Attfield's departure midway through the campaign caused some upheavel, and his replacement - Steve Castle - now has a squad he can call his own. As well as the Bridges brothers of Scott and Stuart, Castle's most notable signings are St. Albans pair of midfielder Chris Watters (who will also serve as assistant manager) and veteran goalkeeper Paul Bastock (once of Aylesbury United).

Top signing: Chris WattersOne to watch: Kaan Fehmi

Rugby Town Last season: 2/22

Rugby have now finished as runners-up twice in succession - pipped to the championship by just one point on the final day in April - and are likely to feature amongst the frontrunners for the league title again this season. Having topped the league scoring charts last season, star striker David Kolodynski remains at the club, as does his strike partner Seb Lake-Gaskin who can be just as dangerous. Meanwhile, manager Dave Stringer has brought in several new faces in every area. Will this finally be Rugby's time?

Top signing: Marcel SimpsonOne to watch: David Kolodynski

St Ives Town Last season: 13/22

Playing their first ever campaign at this level, St Ives Town were lead to a decent final spot in the league, but managerial team Jez Hall and Warren Everdell called time on their long spell at the club - 12 years and 629 games - in the summer. Their replacement is Ricky Marheineke, who previously lead Huntingdon Town to promotion to the UCL Premier Division and more recently was the assistant manager at Histon.

Top signing: Will MuzvimbiriOne to watch: Karl Gibbs

Uxbridge Last season: 10/22

Another steady season for Tony Choules's men saw a comfortable midtable placing achieved with a big improvement after the turn of the year that saw them go through all nine games of March unbeaten as they moved up from 15th at the start of January. Uxbridge had the fifth best scoring record in the division last season, and with a bit more consistency in results could fire themselves further up the table.

Top signing: Anton RobinsonOne to watch: Matt Woods