2024/25 Season thoughts

National One: Birmingham Moseley, Bishop’s Stortford, Blackheath, Darlington MP, Dings Crusaders, Esher, Leicester Lions, Plymouth Albion, Rams, Richmond, Rosslyn Park, Rotherham Titans, Sale FC, Sedgley Park.

With it being a tad quiet whilst we wait for a flurry of news about recruitment and pre season games I thought I'd have a look at the sides as they stand now.

No news from Moseley yet, but I do expect them to be competing in the top four this coming season.

I note Bishops Stortfords head coach is stepping down from the role, how will that effect the side as they will surely wish to be higher up the league after a close battle at seasons end.

Blackheath look to be recruiting strongly already, making a clear statement of intent.

Darlington Mowden Park had a solid season last time and will no doubt have eyes aimed higher this term.

Dings Crusaders had a nip and tuck tussle in Nat2 West and will no doubt be keen to make the most of the step, however, the step is a very large one, I think they may be one of the sides fighting at the wrong end of the league next year.

Esher are another promoted side who may also find life tough in this league, no disrespect to either of the new promoted sides, but I witnessed this at the beginning of last season.

Leicester Lions, did really well in some results and I think were a little slow off the mark even with a first game win. I expect another tough season but fancy with that experience, they could just kick on and be higher up the table, retaining players and recruitment will be telling for all these three clubs.

Plymouth Albion had another good season and I am sure they will be hoping to be in the upper end battle this season.

Rams will surely be hoping for promotion, but there are a lot of very good sides to spoil their plans, again player recruitment and retention will be key..

Richmond possibly under performed to how they might have hoped for, so I expect a big push from them too.

Rosslyn Park seem from a distance to be a bit of an enigma, always close, but not quite there, will this be their season?

Rotherham had a great campaign in Nat 2 North, are they back on track and looking to press on, or will they find the step up a challenge like the other promoted sides in this most competitive of leagues.

Sale Fc had a pretty poor season compared to the close battle at the top the season before, a late surge saving them from the end of season dog fight.

Last but not least Sedgley Park had a fair season, but I fancy they will be another club with ambitions higher up the league.

To finalise this I would not make any predictions yet, some players may move on/retire/move around and it will again the most competitive of leagues, the fixture list may well give us all the lift in excitement before it all kicks off again.

On a personal note, I need to improve dramatically in the prediction league, I was pretty rubbish really.

Do not underestimate Dings, last year they had considerable help from Bristol Bears and the news on the M4 that it will be even greater next season.

Prem sides have to slash their squad sizes to 35+12 Academy, which means some are going to drop 20+ players (Bath and Quins both have more than 70 players registered in some fashion). While most will be picked up in the Championship, there will be a trickle-down effect to lower leagues which means any club that sees contracted players on salaries as their way up will have a lot more talent to choose from.

Well the fixture list appearing is a starting point for a conversation, Leicester Lions visit last years rival Bishop Stortford for the opener, both will see that as laying down a marker and should prove to be a very interesting fixture.