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As we stand on the cusp of the 2041/42 League Two season, I can't help but reflect on how far we've come at Bransay Athletic. It's been 18 years since I took the reins back in 2023, when we were scraping by in the North Northumberland League, battling ferry delays and a pitch that resembled a bog more than a football ground.
Now, here we are, stepping into the Football League for the first time in our history after that unforgettable National League title win with 109 points. Forge Road has been buzzing all summer – the stands have had a lick of paint, the Harbour Festival saw more crimson and steel-grey scarves than ever, and the lads at The Anvil’s Rest are already debating our survival chances over pints of local ale.
As manager, I'm under no illusions: League Two is a step up, with its relentless schedule, professional setups, and no room for error. We're joint 18th favourites at 50/1, tipped by many to struggle, but if there's one thing Bransay knows, it's defiance. We've punched above our weight before, and we'll do it again.
I've pored over the squads, the odds and the form books, and it's shaping up to be a cracker.
Macclesfield are the clear favourites at 5/4 under Greg Anderson, and rightly so after their fourth-place finish last season on 79 points – just four shy of automatic promotion – before losing the play-off final at Wembley to Cambridge United. They've strengthened smartly with five signings: left-back Michael Fitzsimons from Cambridge brings EFL experience, midfielder Dylan Collins from Sheffield United adds creativity, right-back Rekeem Gethfield from Bristol City bolsters the defence, and goalkeeper Jordan Maxwell from Brighton should provide solidity between the sticks. Anderson's side were solid last term, and with these additions, I reckon they'll go up automatically. They're the team to beat.
Hot on their heels at 2/1 are the relegated
Queens Park Rangers, now managed by new boss David Spooner. They tumbled out of League One by a single point, with Burton Albion surviving on 50. QPR have had to offload Sam Dawson and Callum Cunnington for £1.7m combined to balance the books, but they've reinvested wisely: Macclesfield's starting keeper Kamali Muhammad is a shrewd pickup, while midfielders Kai Swift from Norwich City and Zain Higby on loan from Manchester City add quality. They've got familiar faces in Filip Vasilj at the back – a rock for us in our early National League days – and Francisco Farias up front, who we know has got a knack for goals. Spooner will want a bounce-back, and with that squad, promotion looks likely, though relegation hangovers can linger.
Mansfield Town, also at 2/1, round out the top three under Cameron Brailsford after a sixth-place finish last season. They've added midfielder Adam McGee from Leeds for depth and loaned in winger Shane Cretaro from Sheffield United following his £1.7m move from Fulham. Brailsford's lot have play-off experience, and if they can convert that into consistency, they'll be in the mix.
Blackpool at 10/3 are intriguing under David Johnstone after a shocking 20th-place finish on 43 points last term – a real fall from grace. They've brought in centre-back Karim Nalbant from Huddersfield and Preston's Atlas Ay to shore things up. Johnstone will be desperate for a revival, and with their pedigree, a play-off push isn't out of the question if they gel early.
Eastleigh at 8/1 under Adam Campbell come off a mid-table 12th, and they've added Southampton loanee Brock Barton at centre-back and left winger Marc Davies from Macclesfield. Solid but unspectacular – I see them hovering around the top half again.
Mersham at 9/1 are under new gaffer Beckham Vokes after 10th last season. They've lost Andreas Wraighte to Cambridge and Demetri Coverley to Portsmouth but splashed on seven new faces: former Bransay loanee Emmanuel Baffour in midfield, Plymouth centre-back Chris Williams, Oldham's prolific striker Nicklas Berg Sjorslev (27 goals in the National League last season), and Cardiff's midfielder Zain Higby. Vokes has rebuilt aggressively, so expect a top-seven challenge.
Scunthorpe United, relegated and at 10/1 under Ricky French, have added Wimbledon midfielder Mark Cornish and Shrewsbury defender Steven Jones. Tony Howell-Rowland is their talisman with 109 goals in 305 games – if he fires, they'll avoid the drop and maybe sneak play-offs.
Blackburn Rovers, another relegated side at 13/1 under new man Frankie Buckley, have picked up Northampton centre-back Enock Errington. They'll want stability, but relegation scars might see them mid-table.
Cheltenham Town at 15/1 under Nico Cutbush finished 11th last term but haven't yet reinvested the £500k from Facundo González's move to Independiente. They'll rely on consistency for another safe season.
Bristol Rovers at 18/1 under Ben Thompson come off seventh and have loaned in Crystal Palace winger Baba Godwin. David Joseph is key in his fifth season, with 30 assists and 12 goals in 108 apps – a play-off tilt is possible.
Swansea City at 20/1 under Jaimes Blenkinsop finished ninth and have added Wimbledon winger Myles Maddison among five signings. They're our first opponents, and I'll touch on that later – solid mid-table contenders.
Carlisle United, also at 20/1 under Farrend Kennerdale, were 16th last season and will hope striker Kris Thorne improves on his tally. Safe but unexciting.
Shrewsbury Town at 20/1 under former Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite (a coup after Michael Weatherstone's seven-year stint ended with a move to Peterborough) finished 14th but have been busy, adding 12 players like Sheffield Wednesday and Welling United centre-backs Callum Parker and Harry Jones, plus Millwall midfielder Jordan Halford. Branthwaite's pedigree could see them push higher.
FC United of Manchester at 25/1 under new boss Luke Fraser-Flanagan scraped survival in 22nd and have added four, including Bristol City midfielder Eddie Morrison and Swansea left-back Sam Strzyzewski. Relegation battle looms.
Grimsby Town at 25/1 under Matt Johnson were 17th, with centre-back Tyrhys McSween entering his 12th year (437 apps). Ali Kemal Arcan's 11 goals last season will be crucial – mid-table at best.
MK Dons, relegated at 33/1 under new man Chris Bramley, hope Dru Jessup betters his eight League One goals. Tough return.
Northampton Town at 33/1 under Vasco Seabra finished 18th on 50 points and added midfielders Paul White from Wrexham and Zain Higby from Ebbsfleet. Survival first.
We're joint 18th at 50/1, alongside
Swindon Town under new gaffer Charlie Haystead (13th last season). We've taken their striker Hugh Clarvis, so they'll lean on Wraynel Agyakwa for goals – mid-table scrap.
Dorking Wanderers at 50/1 under Artan Hine were 15th and hope striker Mubarak Asare scores – another mid-table side.
Yeovil Town at 50/1 under new boss Charlie Tuvey finished eighth and added four, including Welling midfielder David Evans – play-off outsiders.
Hartlepool United at 100/1 under Mark Woodhouse finished 19th and added four like Bath City centre-back Cory Villums and Newport's Gonzalo Gutiérrez. They've lost Tom Mellor (£250k to Huddersfield) and Oliver Thomas (£150k to Bristol City), so striker Greg Casey's 15-goal repeat is vital.
Doncaster Rovers at 250/1 under Jordan Schwarz are promoted and have goal machines Stefan Adler (54 in two seasons) and Callum Parry (52). They'll surprise many and stay up.
Least favourites
Stanway Pegasus at 250/1 under Tom Steele finished 21st and added four, including Swiss keeper Carlos Minano from Lincoln (loaned last season), attackers Haydn Tinsley and Josh Dyer-Hunt from Everton and Bristol Rovers, and winger Ben Woodman from Mansfield. Relegation fodder, but they've got fight.
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Now, turning to our squad – we've had a massive overhaul due to contract expiries and offers we couldn't refuse, but I'm excited about the blend of youth, experience, and hunger. We've got depth, but the step up means no room for passengers.
This is a real battle between Umar Nasiru and Jurgen Miftari. Nasiru's record at Herne Bay is immense – 56 clean sheets in 263 league apps over six seasons – and he's got the presence to command the box. Miftari was superb last term, conceding just 48 in 43 with 10 clean sheets, so he'll push hard.
At right-back, Paul Hulme starts for me – he's proven at this level with FC United, though he'll miss the opener due to suspension. Sam Perrott, at 20, is a promising backup with his Morecambe experience in the National League North.
Left-back's a toss-up between Lewis Summerfield and Macsen Broadley. Summerfield's 6'4" frame gives us aerial dominance, and his EFL stints with Crewe and Hull make him my pick initially, but Broadley's consistency at Torquay could see rotations.
Centre-back is competitive: Euan Spracklen and Josh Chapman bring EFL know-how, but Emanuel José's athleticism might edge it for pace against quicker strikers. Danny Gayle's a familiar face from last season and could be key for leadership. We've got height and grit, but adapting to the pace will be crucial.
Deuve Grey's pace on the right midfield is non-negotiable – he'll terrorise full-backs, though he might need time after his Jamaican stint. Steve Crosby, from Brentford, gets his first real crack at first-team football, so easing him in is key.
Liam Edwards starts on the left for me after his loans at Dorking and Barnsley – permanent stability here could unlock him. Rich Marshall's EFL experience and versatility (he can cover left-back) make him invaluable.
Centrally, Federico Delli Carri and Peter Connolly are my starters; Delli Carri's technique is special, and Connolly's tenacity from Northampton loans fits our box-to-box needs. George Parker's step up worries me a bit, and young Rory Reid – after three years waiting – could surprise if he handles the pressure.
Open season up top – Bryan Mimnaugh impressed with 18 goals last season, so he's in the frame to lead the line. Dion Coverley and Hugh Clarvis have EFL miles but need to prove their scoring touch; Coverley's pace could complement Mimnaugh. Craig Matthews steps up from below and has goals in him, while Rudi Qualter's on loan at Melbourne Victory, so we're lighter than I'd like. It's about partnerships – we'll rotate to find the right duo.
Our opener away at Swansea City will set the tone. They're 11th favourites at 20/1, solid under Jaimes Blenkinsop after ninth last term, and they've added winger Myles Maddison from Wimbledon. It's a tough baptism at the Liberty Stadium, but we've got nothing to lose.
