THE NLP‘S 2022-23 SEASON REVIEW: NATIONAL LEAGUE
AUGUST
And they’re off – eight months of the 2022-23 season get underway in the usual basking sunshine.
It certainly felt a lot brighter for National League new boys Oldham Athletic at kick-off following the completed eve of the season takeover by local businessman Frank Rothwell to end the unpopular regime under Abdallah Lemsagam. Rothwell had asked fans if they’d ever heard of Dorking Wanderers – the 8,000 who turned up for their first home game under new ownership certainly had by full-time after Marc White’s newly-promoted side pushed them all the way in a 3-2 thriller.
Pre-season title favourites Wrexham finished the month having won five of their first four games – defeat inflicted by Chesterfield.
The Spireites would finish the month top of the pile ahead of the Red Dragons and fast-starters Barnet and Wealdstone who both won four of their first six.
There was intrigue as to how Macaulay Langstaff would step up from Gateshead and under the Magpies’ new manager Luke Williams – the former Heed man scored three doubles in his first six games.
At the other end, Scunthorpe United’s opening day win proved a false dawn. They lost their next five and Keith Hill was shown the exit door with Tony Daws handed caretaker responsibilities.
SEPTEMBER
Football fell silent following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, cancelling the September 10 weekend’s programme as a mark of respect.
John Sheridan departed Oldham Athletic and was given a big send off by fans in his final game as they beat Eastleigh.
Former Everton defender David Unsworth was appointed as his replacement and, on taking his first permanent, senior management role felt he’d found the perfect club at the right time.
“I’ve had opportunities probably over a period of three or four years,” Unsworth said. “Never really felt right in my gut. This one is absolutely perfect and I am so glad I waited.”
Chesterfield finished the month unbeaten in their opening ten games and led the way at the top.
Langstaff continued his fine early season form with another six goals to take his tally to 12.
There was also big news with the announcement the National League were set to launch their own centralised streaming platform in the second half of the season.
OCTOBER
The managerial merry-goround picked up pace with Mark Molesley dismissed at Aldershot Town while Chris Hargreaves left Yeovil Town.
The Shots put former boss Terry Brown in temporary charge after dropping the axe on Molesley after a winless run of four games and defeat against National League South Chelmsford City in the FA Cup fourth round qualifying.
Former Forest Green Rovers manager Mark Cooper returned to a Non-League dugout at Yeovil, looking to turnaround a poor start that left them in the relegation zone.
Wrexham and Barnet shared a crazy 12-goal thriller, with the Red Dragons coming out on top 7-5 – it came a few days after they’d lost 1-0 at Notts County, who moved top of the league, thanks to a goal from a now familiar name on their scoresheet, Langstaff.
Wrexham hot-shot Paul Mullin landed himself in hot water after revealing boots on social media emblazoned with “F*** the Tories”. The club declined to let him wear them in their match with FC Halifax Town.
NOVEMBER
Fans were in uproar following the sudden departure of manager John Askey despite being just six points outside the playoffs following their promotion from National League North.
The former Macclesfield Town boss had fallen out with controversial Minstermen owner Glen Henderson.
Supporters were upset at how the situation had been handled with Askey reportedly having to wait by the printer at the club’s offices while his dismissal letter was printed.
Askey said: “I don’t feel I’ve done anything to warrant what has happened.”
Tim Ryan was put in temporary charge.
Wrexham, Notts County and Chesterfield continued to make up the top three but Darren Sarll’s Wok- ing were on the scene in fourth.
Southend United’s off-field troubles continued with the club under transfer embargo, but Kevin Maher had his side in the mix still.
At the other end, Torquay United propped up the rest of the division, with Scunthorpe United just above having
failed to win in the entire month.
Notts County hosted a league record crowd of 16,511 but there was little to cheer as they drew 0-0 with Yeovil.
Meanwhile, Dagenham & Redbridge midfielder Matt Robinson hit two goals in a 3-0 win over Solihull Moors to celebrate a nomination for a MOBO award.
His alter ego Kamakaze was selected in the Best Grime Act category for the prestigious bash at Wembley Arena.
DECEMBER
David Webb was appointed as Askey’s replacement at the start of the month, while Tony Daws called time on his interim spell in charge of Scunthorpe to return to his Academy manager role. Michael Nelson stepped up as his interim replacement.
It looked like Scunthorpe were close to a takeover by a local group headed by former director Simon Elliott and Ian Sharp.
National League TV was launched allowing fans to stream games live outside of the blackout. After an initial soft launch, it got the full go ahead at Step 1 from Boxing Day with fans able to buy passes for £9.50 and flick between all games.
Notts County were the National League’s Christmas Number One and stayed that way with a 4-0 Boxing Day win over Oldham Athletic, with Cedwyn Scott scoring twice.
Mullin scored a hat-trick as Wrexham thumped Solihull Moors 5-0.
JANUARY
Lee Bradbury’s Eastleigh took just 7.12 seconds to get their 2023 up and running with Alfie Lloyd’s rapid opener on New Year’s Day against Dorking Wanderers.
They were 4-0 up at half-time and the three points moved the Spitfires into the top seven.
While Wrexham were in FA Cup action, Notts County extended their lead at the top.
Southend United survived a winding up order in court and finished the month pushing for the play-off places as manager Kevin Maher continued to work miracles.
Scunthorpe’s woes continued with HMRC issuing a winding-up petition over an alleged unpaid tax bill.
During a defeat to Woking, around 100 fans took to the pitch midway through the second half to protest against owner Peter Swann.
The reported takeover to Simon Elliott and Ian Sharp didn’t materialise, instead Ilkeston Town’s David Hilton quitting the Step 3 club to take up the Iron’s helm.
Peterborough Sports boss Jimmy Dean was also swiftly appointed and he quickly set about unveiling a host of signings in a bid to turn their disastrous campaign around.
Fellow strugglers Maidstone United parted ways with Hakan Hayrettin – the manager who had guided the Stones to National League South title glory the previous April.
It came as owners Oliver Ash and Terry Casey prepared to sell a controlling interest to local businessman and supporter Alan Manchett.
Hayrettin said: “I talked to him (Manchett), he told me about a five-year plan and that changed within a day-and-ahalf.”
The Manchett Group takeover later fell through. Defender George Elokobi took temporary charge.
Chesterfield striker Kabby Thsimanga sealed a deadline day move to League One Peterborough United.
FEBRUARY
Protests continued from Southend United fans towards owner Ron Martin with players and staff still owed January wages.
They moved into the top seven after beating York City – a defeat that saw the Minstermen sack manager Webb and place assistant Michael Morton in temporary charge.
There was a surprise departure from Dagenham & Redbridge as Daryl McMahon resigned less than 24 hours before they were due to play Notts County.
The Daggers duly inflicted only a second defeat of the season on Notts as Wrexham closed the gap to two points with two games in hand.
Tributes were paid to muchloved National League president and former chairman Brian Lee MBE after his passing.
MARCH
Wrexham’s Hollywood owners delivered a new star for their run-in – former Manchester United and England goalkeeper Ben Foster.
The 39-year-old came out of retirement to help the club that launched his career in the runin following season-ending injury to Rob Lainton.
In an exclusive interview, Foster told The NLP: “The biggest point is the fact it’s Wrexham. I know the club, I’ve been at the club and I left on incredible terms last time.”
Ben Strevens was appointed Dagenham & Redbridge manager, a return to the club he’d helped win promotion into League Two as a player.
England C beat Cymru C in the annual showdown, this time at Altrincham. Barnet midfielder Ryan De Havilland scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 win for Paul Fairclough’s Three Lions with Aldershot Town defender Tyler Cordner named man of the match.
A row erupted after it emerged the Football Association had put forward proposals to amend the Non-League Player Contracts to ensure they met employment requirements.
But a sticking point was an amendment that could see an injured player on paid in full for 12 weeks at Step 1 and 6 weeks at Step 2.
Yeovil Town captain Josh Staunton rallied the 24 National League captains together to release a joint statement calling for urgent talks with football authorities. The FA later agreed to make changes.
Langstaff broke Notts County’s single season goal record that had stood for 92 years and drew level with Ricky Miller’s National League record of 40.
But tragedy struck the club when CEO Jason Turner died suddenly aged just 50.
APRIL
Dubbed the biggest game in Non-League history, Wrexham hosted Notts County.
It was billed as the title decider and it didn’t disappoint with an epic Easter Monday game at The Racecourse between the two record breaking sides who had long pulled away from the chasing pack on their way to over a century of points.
Notts went in front through John Bostock’s sumptuous free-kick. But Paul Mullin and Jacob Mendy got the hosts in front soon after the break.
Kyle Cameron equalised for the Magpies but parity lasted just three minutes as Elliot Lee slammed Wrexham ahead.
In stoppage time, Notts were awarded a penalty. Cedywn Scott stepped up but it was beaten away by Ben Foster to spark wild celebrations among fans and onlooking owners Reynolds and McElhenney.
It led to Wrexham clinching the title – and ending their 15- year stay in Non-League – with victory over Boreham Wood.
Reynolds said: “People said at the beginning, ‘Why Wrexham?’ This is exactly why Wrexham. Happening right now is why.”
Notts County finished on 107 points, four behind Wrexham’s 111, and were joined in the play-offs by Chesterfield, Woking, Barnet, Boreham Wood and Bromley.
Maidstone United were the first to have relegation confirmed, swiftly followed by Scunthorpe United and Yeovil. Torquay United had an outside chance of staying up on the final day but also succumbed to the drop.
Aldershot Town were one of the sides to escape after new boss Tommy Widdrington, who joined at the start of the month from King’s Lynn Town, guided them to safety,
MAY
Notts County celebrated their return to the EFL with penalty shoot-out victo- ry at Wembley over Chesterfield.
Andy Dallas put Chesterfield ahead before John Bostock’s late free-kick forced extra time.
Armando Dobra restored the Spire- ites’ lead in extra time before Ruben Rodrigues pulled Notts level.
County boss Luke Williams introduced keeper Archie Mair from the bench for the shoot-out and it paid off as he saved two penalties before Cedwyn Scott slammed in the decisive kick.
It finished an epic play-offs for the Magpies, having come from two goals behind in the semi-finals to beat Boreham Wood 3-2 in extra time through Jodi Jones.
Luke Garrard’s Wood had beaten Barnet in the midweek Eliminator 2-1. Chesterfield needed extra time to get past Bromley in the other semi after the Ravens had progressed through their Eliminator by beating Woking 2-1.
