As we continue to build towards the new 2025/26 National League season, we take a look at the teams we’ll be facing off with in the new campaign.
Today we take a look into the sides that had to fight for their survival in the National League last campaign.
WOKING (ESTABLISHED 1887)
LEAGUE FINISH - 15th
Woking produced an incredible run to end their campaign as they enjoyed a nine-game unbeaten run which saw them finish six points clear of the drop zone.
The Cards also enjoyed a FA Trophy run which saw them reach the semi-finals where they fell to a late 2-1 defeat to Aldershot Town.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
On both occassions Rovers met Woking, the result ended 1-1 with Kyle McAllister and Jordon Garrick netting to secure a point in each.
IN THE DUGOUT
Neal Ardley was the man that guided Woking to a seventh successive season in the National League after joining the Cards in December.
Ardley managed 24 games last season picking eight victories in the league whilst losing on just three occassions.
TOP PERFORMER LAST SEASON
Harry Beautyman came out of the 2024/25 campaign as the Cards most productive player scoring 10 goals whilst picking up three assists.
ALDERSHOT TOWN (ESTABLISHED 1992)
LEAGUE FINISH - 16th
Aldershot Town may have not enjoyed the best season in the National League but enjoyed some FA Trophy success lifting the trophy for the first time following a 3-0 win over Spennymoor Town.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Rovers opened the 2024/25 campaign with a 3-3 draw the EBB Stadium which saw Kyle McAllister, Ryan Inniss and Christian Doidge get on the score sheet.
Back at The New Lawn, the points were shared during a 1-1 draw which saw Charlie McCann score instantly after the restart to level the game up.
IN THE DUGOUT
Despite missing a portion of the season due to an illness, manager Tommy Widdrington returned stronger than ever guiding his side to safety and FA Trophy glory.
TOP PERFORMER LAST SEASON
Wide man, James Henry, may have not been the sides top goal scorer but he was the Shots most productive player picking up 20 goals and assists in 41 appearances.
BRAINTREE TOWN (ESTABLISHED 1898)
LEAGUE FINISH - 17th
Braintree Town proved early season doubters wrong but staying in the National League, doing it confidently finishing four points above the drop zone.
Along the way, the Iron picked up some memorable wins against Rovers, York City and Barnet.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Rovers and the Iron met on three occassions last campaign, twice during the league and once in the FA Trophy in which Rovers advanced on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
In the league, we secured all three points with 2-1 win at The New Lawn before suffering defeat at Cressing Road in February.
IN THE DUGOUT
Steve Pitt stepped up from assistant manager to first team manager following the departure Angelo Harrop in December.
Pitt managed 25 games for the Iron, winning 10 which saw the side survive their first season back in the National League.
TOP PERFORMER LAST SEASON
Kyrell Lisbie proved to be a handful last season for defences as he netted 13 goals during his first season with the club.
This impressive debut season at the fifth tier caught the attention of teams up the pyramid and earned Lisbie a move to League One side, Peterborough United.
YEOVIL TOWN (ESTABLISHED 1895)
LEAGUE FINISH - 18th
It was a mixed season for Yeovil Town who spent time fighting in the mid-table battle but eventually found themselves fighting down the bottom after winning one of their last five games.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Rovers met the Glovers on two occassions last campaign picking up four points from a possible six.
It was a late showing at The New Lawn on New Year’s Day as Ryan Inniss’ injury time winner secured all three points before the defender scored late again at Huish Park to secure a point in a 1-1 draw.
IN THE DUGOUT
Former Rovers manager, Mark Cooper, broke into the hundred games managed for the Glovers category during the season as he took his tally to 124 games.
TOP PERFORMER LAST SEASON
One of Yeovil’s most productive players was midfielder, Brett Gavin, who netted seven goals alongside grabbing three assists in 39 appearances for the Glovers.
BOSTON UNITED (ESTABLISHED 1933)
LEAGUE FINISH - 19th
After an inspired late season strong run of form, Boston United propelled themselves to safety after spending the majority of the season in the bottom four.
The Pilgrims won three of their final five games of the season which saw the side finish just three points above the drop zone.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
In two meetings with the Pilgrims last campaign, Rovers picked up maximum points and didn’t concede a goal following a 4-0 win in Lincolnshire before a 1-0 win at The New Lawn.
IN THE DUGOUT
Former Bristol Rovers and Newport County manager, Graham Coughlan, was the man put in charge of keeping Boston in the National League in which he succeeded in just 30 games managed, picking up 13 wins along the way.
TOP PERFORMER LAST SEASON
Despite missing the end of the season with a knee injury, striker Jacob Hazel finished the season as the Pilgrims top scorer netting an impressive 13 goals in 45 appearances.
WEALDSTONE (ESTABLISHED 1899)
LEAGUE FINISH - 20th
It was a battling season for Wealdstone whose survival was only confirmed on the final day as they finished a point above the drop zone.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Rovers failed to beat Wealdstone on two occassions last season after being held to a 2-2 draw at The New Lawn before suffering a 2-1 defeat at Grosvenor Vale.
IN THE DUGOUT
Wealdstone are currently without a manager following the departure of Neil Gibson following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season.
Gibson managed just 20 games for the Stones, whom he steered to safety, following his arrival in January from Cymru Premiership side, Connah’s Quay.
TOP PERFORMER LAST SEASON
Striker, Alex Reid, showed why he was a highly sought after forward as he bagged 17 goals in 32 appearances for the Stones, which included a brace during their 2-1 win over Rovers.
