Other NLS News

Discussion of all things related to the club and first team
Lord Elpus
Posts: 1164
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 3:09 pm

I've just gone back into the murky world of X/Twitter (not to post...I don't want to actively participate, just to observe) and it's interesting seeing the clubs making the early running with signings etc. Dagenham, Dorking and Chelmsford seem to be signing practically anything that moves, whereas newly promoted Folkestone seem to be (quite sensibly, you would've thought) re-signing many of the players who have just got them up. You'd certainly assume that the first three mentioned might be among the biggest spenders but anyone think they might be rushing it slightly? There'll be some decent, still unsigned players around later in the summer...which is where I suspect some of ours might end up coming from.
Tony
Posts: 2388
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 8:57 pm

I suspect it is more the case that the active clubs are the ones with the budget to know they can land their key targets. When you have a more limited budget you have to be more careful how and when you use it. Most of the signings look to me like the better players around the division where they will be greater competition for their signature.
Tony
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Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 8:57 pm

Jake Gray leaves Hemel H
Thelittleowl1
Posts: 143
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2025 1:24 am

Mark Hammond joins Hornchurch as new CEO from Bromley.
Tony
Posts: 2388
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 8:57 pm

Walton & Hersham appoint Kevin James as new manager, his first ever management appointment so could be seen as high risk.
Tony
Posts: 2388
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 8:57 pm

You might find this interesting from the Slough fans forum, particularly regarding budgets in the NLS and players income: https://www.fansfocus.com/topic/212102- ... -at-730pm/

Slough and us are of a similar size and recent record but interestingly don't think they have the lowest budget (16th-18th out of 24).
Lord Elpus
Posts: 1164
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 3:09 pm

Tony wrote: Wed Jun 03, 2026 8:27 am You might find this interesting from the Slough fans forum, particularly regarding budgets in the NLS and players income: https://www.fansfocus.com/topic/212102- ... -at-730pm/

Slough and us are of a similar size and recent record but interestingly don't think they have the lowest budget (16th-18th out of 24).
Firstly it just shows how spectacularly badly Eastbourne were managed doesn't it? Players clearly only went there for a payday.
I also suspect players nowadays see themselves as more attached to agents than to clubs, or even managers.
Tony
Posts: 2388
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 8:57 pm

Slough have signed ex Dorking and Aldershot CB Josh Brooking who missed the whole of last season with an achilles tear.
Tony
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Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 8:57 pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-xXWWEQp4E

Here’s an interesting insight into Walton & Hersham’s financials for season just gone. Not many ( any) clubs would be so open about their financial position. Lost £73k in the year, player wages £177k which is very modest for a step 3 championship win. Quite a lot of sponsorship income including their youth section, shirts and ground advertising. Yeovil paid £17k to compensate for poaching manager Billy Rowley mid season. Will be interesting to see how they compete in the NLS where most teams wage bills will be considerably higher by three to four times.
Lord Elpus
Posts: 1164
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 3:09 pm

Tony wrote: Tue Jun 16, 2026 5:35 am https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-xXWWEQp4E

Here’s an interesting insight into Walton & Hersham’s financials for season just gone. Not many ( any) clubs would be so open about their financial position. Lost £73k in the year, player wages £177k which is very modest for a step 3 championship win. Quite a lot of sponsorship income including their youth section, shirts and ground advertising. Yeovil paid £17k to compensate for poaching manager Billy Rowley mid season. Will be interesting to see how they compete in the NLS where most teams wage bills will be considerably higher by three to four times.
Very interesting...I wonder if this means they might struggle, given the new manager and loss of key players, which would be a shame. It'd be good to have a regular, proper local rivalry again.
Tony
Posts: 2388
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 8:57 pm

They do have an American backer /shareholder so there may be the potential for more investment. I see they have taken on a new chief exec which is another overhead and there may be some ground grading issues to fund as well.They have lost four of their better players over the summer so far with no new signings yet announced, hard to judge what player pool they will be recruiting from until some new faces arrive. Their manager comes from the world of EFL coaching so untried at this level as a manager. Recruiting younger players from lower non league steps might work, but as we have experienced ourselves in the last two seasons, the NLS is a tough league to survive without experienced players. As a minimum I would say that player budget needs to go up by another £100k at least.
Thelittleowl1
Posts: 143
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2025 1:24 am

Slough Town have a new club crest. Safe to say, it's drawn some, to put it generously, mixed reactions.
https://x.com/sloughtownfc/status/20671 ... 88706?s=20
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