BLUE SQUARE PREMIER.

Altrincham Manager Graham Heathcote (May 01) Last season 15th In Matt Crowell and Michael Welch (both Northwich), Nicky Clee (Hyde), Tom Kearney (Wrexham).

Verdict Were reprieved in the 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons as a result of other clubs' financial woes but they finished 12 points clear of the drop zone last term and astute manager Graham Heathcote should ensure that they continue to punch above their weight.

AFC Wimbledon Manager Terry Brown (May 07) Last season Winners Blue Sq South In Derek Duncan (Ebsfleet), Paul Lorraine (Woking), Ricky Wellard (Ashford Town), Steve Gregory (Hayes and Yeading), Luke Moore (Ebsfleet).

Out Michael Haswell (Grays). Verdict This year's Blue Square South title success was Wimbledon's fourth promotion in seven seasons but they may need time to consolidate before closing in on a place in the Football League.

Barrow Manager David Bayliss & Darren Sheridan (Nov 07) Last season 20th In Simon Spender (Wrexham), Robin Hulbert (Darlington), Sean Newton and Adam Dugdale (both Droylsden), Phil Bolland (Cambridge Utd), Paul Rutherford (Chester).

Out Craig James (Darlington). Verdict Last season's narrow escape from the drop was heavily influenced by Weymouth's late-season collapse and, having failing to significantly improve the squad, they are heading for another season of struggle.

Cambridge United Manager Vacant Last season 2nd In Jai Reason (Ipswich). Out Phil Bolland (Barrow), Jordan Collins (Ebbsfleet).

Verdict Will be feeling extremely hard done by after posting consecutive secondplace finishes and they may struggle to pick themselves up from their latest play-off disappointment. Play-offs at best.

Chester Manager Vacant Last season 23rd League Two In Michael Lea (Scunthorpe), Gregg Blundell (Darlington).

Out Paul Linwood (Grimsby), Ryan Lowe, Bury, Kevin Ellison (Rotherham), Laurence Wilson (Morecambe), Paul Rutherford (Barrow), Ritchie Partridge (MK Dons) Verdict The appointment of former Newcastle assistant manager Mick Wadsworth looks a smart move but he will need to perform a miracle if he is to steer Chester back to League Two at the first attempt.

Squad has undergone massive surgery and the new arrivals will need time to adjust.

Crawley Manager Steve Evans (May 07) Last season 9th In Jefferson Louis (Wrexham), Simon Rusk (York), Eddie Hutchinson (Oxford), Charles Ademeno (Southend), Barry Cogan (Grays), Michael Malcolm (Weymouth). Out Simon Weatherstone (Eastbourne), Danny Mills (Peterborough), Romone McCrae (Peterborough).

Verdict Some painful departures have been partially offset by a number of decent signings but may still come up just short in the race for the play-offs.

Eastbourne Manager Garry Wilson (Feb 99) Last season 13th In Simon Weatherstone (Crawley). Out None.

Verdict The sale of last season's goalkeeper Lee Hook is a blow but Garry Wilson has bolstered other areas of the squad and they look capable of a mid-table finish.

Ebbsfleet Manager Liam Daish (Feb 05) Last season 14th In Ishmael Welsh (Grays), James Lindie and Jamie Forshaw (both Southend), Jordan Collins (Cambridge). Out Darius Charles, Neil Barrett and Michael Gash (all York), Danny Slatter (Farnborough), Stacy Long (Stevenage), Derek Duncan and Luke Moore (AFC Wimbledon), Mark Ricketts (Woking), George Purcell (Braintree).

Verdict A lack of funds has forced the club to sell off a host of key players and manager Liam Daish may struggle to steer his weakened squad clear of troubled waters.

Forest Green Manager Jim Harvey (Sep 06) Last season 18th In None.

Out Lee Fowler (Kettering), Darren Jones (Hereford), Alex Lawless (York).

Verdict The departures of centre-back Darren Jones and right-back Alex Lawless have blasted a huge hole in the Rovers defence and survival will depend on manager Jim Harvey's ability to pick up some bargain basement replacements.

Gateshead Manager Ian Bogie (May 07) Last season 2nd Blue Sq North In Martin Brittain (Kidderminster), Mark Robinson (York), Chris Swailes (Hamilton), Paul Farman (Blyth Spartans). Out Paul Musselwhite (Lincoln). Verdict Gateshead have been an extremely well-run club in recent years and, having announced plans to build a new 6,000seater stadium in the next two years, it appears they having intentions of building on recent successes. The Blue Square Premier is a big step up but Gateshead look capable of holding their own.

Grays Manager Craig Edwards (May 09) Last season 19th In Michael Haswell (AFC Wimbledon), Jerson Dos Santos (C Palace).

Out Jamie Stuart (Rushden), Barry Cogan (Crawley), Ishmael Welsh (Ebbsfleet). Verdict Cash-strapped Athletic did well to avoid the drop last season but, having shed several first-team regulars, another difficult campaign is on the cards.

Hayes & Yeading Manager Garry Haylock (May 07) Last season 4th Blue Sq South In None.

Out John Scott (Dag & Red), Steven Gregory (AFC Wimbledon). Verdict The club are preparing to compete at their highest level since their formation two years ago and could be about to embark on a steep learning curve. They have lost key players since winning promotion and lack the funds to find adequate replacements.

Histon Manager Steve Fallon (Jun 99) Last season 3rd In Adam Tann (Notts County). Out Mat Mitchell-King and Patrick Ada (both Crewe), Jack Midson (Oxford). Verdict Histon's direct style almost propelled them to the football league last season but they have failed to keep the key elements of the squad together and the momentum may have been lost. Midtable obscurity beckons for the Stutes.

Kettering Manager Mark Cooper (May 07) Last season 8th In Lee Fowler (Forest Green), James Jennings and Francis Green (both Macclesfield), Damian Spencer (Cheltenham), Ryan Beswick (Leicester), Greg Taylor (Northampton), James McPike (Birmingham), Jamie Yates (Rotherham). Out Luke Graham (Mansfield), Craig Westcarr (Notts County), Brett Solkhon (Corby), Guy Branston (Burton). Verdict Failed to build on a fast start to last season but the squad has proven to be competitive at this level and another solid season looks on the cards.

Kidderminster Manager Mark Yates (Jan 06) Last season 6th In John Finnigan (Cheltenham), Aaron Farrell (Sutton Coldfield).

Out Luke Jones and Craig Armstrong (both Mansfield), Mark Creighton (Oxford), Martin Brittain (Gateshead), Adam Bartlett and Keith Lowe (both Hereford), Justin Richards (Cheltenham), Russell Penn (Burton), Andy Farrell (York).

Verdict Were a shade unfortunate to finish just shy of the play-offs last season but their best chance of a League Two return may have faded. The squad has been almost entirely dismantled and manager Mark Yates will have done very well if he achieves a top-half finish.

Luton Manager Mark Harford (Jan 08) Last season 24th League Two In Mark Tyler (Peterborough), Alan White (Darlington), Andy Burgess (Rushden), Liam Hatch (Peterborough, loan), Callum Reynolds (Portsmouth, loan).

Out Dean Brill (Oldham), Sam Parkin (Walsall), Paul McVeigh (Norwich), Ian Henderson (Ankaragucu), Drew Talbot (Chesterfield).

Verdict The Hatters are competing at this level only as a consequence of last season's 30-point reduction and, having retained the majority of their squad, they are strong title candidates.

Mansfield Manager David Holdsworth (Dec 08) Last season 12th In Jake Speight (Droylsden), Luke Jones and Craig Armstrong (Kidderminster), Luke Graham (Kettering), Kyle Perry (Port Vale), Paul Heckingbottom and Karl Nix (Bradford), Gary Mills (Stevenage), Jason Bradley (Darlington). Out Aaron O'Connor (Rushden), David Knight (Darlington), Michael Blackwood, Neil McKenzie, Gavin Hurren and Tom Shaw (all Tamworth), Alan O'Hare (York). Verdict Stags boss David Holdsworth proved himself to be a hard taskmaster last season and, despite presiding over an improvement in the club's results, he has wielded the axe this summer. Holdsworth is a bright young manager but it may take time for his revamped squad to settle.

Oxford Manager Chris Wilder (Dec 08) Last season 7th In Mark Creighton (Kidderminster), Marcus Kelly (Rushden), Alex Rhodes (Rotherham), James Constable (Shrewsbury), Rhys Day (Aldershot), Jack Midson (Oxford), Dannie Bulman (Crawley), Ryan Clarke (Northwich), Matt Green (Torquay, loan), Alfie Potter (Peterborough, loan).

Out Joe Burnell (Exeter), Eddie Hutchinson (Crawley), Craig Nelthorpe (York).

Verdict Chris Wilder made a massive difference after taking the Oxford reins last December and he is targeting an assault on the title this year. Lots of quality has been added to the squad and Oxford fans finally have reason for optimism.

Rushden & Diamonds Manager Justin Edinburgh (Apr 09) Last season 11th In Aaron O'Connor (Mansfield), Craig Farrell (York), Max Porter (Barnet), Jamie Stuart (Grays), Matthew Pattison (Woking), James Reid (Nottm Forest, loan), CLiff Akurang (Barnet, loan). Out Marcus Kelly (Oxford), Andy Burgess (Luton), Chris Hope (Corby), Michael Rankine (York).

Verdict Diamonds failed to live up to expectations last season and seem resigned to competing outside the Football League. Key players have left and a transitional season beckons.

Salisbury Manager Nick Holmes (Jul 02) Last season 16th In Jamie Turley (Wycombe), Daniel Spence (Reading), Bradley Grey (Leyton Orient), Sean Clohessy (Gillingham). Out Charlie Griffin (Stevenage), Djouman Sangare (York).

Verdict Whites boss Nick Holmes did extremely well to steer cash-strapped Salisbury to mid-table last season and his managerial skills will be the key to achieving another respectable finish.

Stevenage Manager Graham Westley (Jan 03) Last season 5th In Stacy Long (Ebsfleet), Charlie Griffin (Salisbury), Joel Byrom (Northwich). Out Steve Morrison (Millwall), Gary Mills (Mansfield).

Verdict Have posted top-eight finishes in the last six seasons and should be contesting the play-off race once again. The sale of top scorer Steve Morison is a blow and the cash has be re-invested wisely.

Tamworth Manager Gary Mills (Jan 07) Last season Winners Blue Sq North In Michael Blackwood, Neil MacKenzie, Tom Shaw, Gavin Hurren (all Mansfield), Richard Tait (Nottm Forest).

Verdict The Lambs are returning to the Blue Square Premier after a two-year absence and Mills should have enough quality in his squad to consolidate last season's Blue Square North championship success.

Wrexham Manager Dean Saunders (Oct 08) Last season 10th In Gareth Taylor (Doncaster). Out John Curtis (Northampton), Jefferson Louis (Crawley), Carl Tremarco and Nat Brown (both Macclesfield), Simon Spender (Barrow), Darren Kempson (Accrington), Tom Kearney (Altrincham), Dean Bouzanis (Liverpool, loan), Adrian Cleslewicz (Man City, loan).

Verdict Faded badly in the second half of last season and manager Dean Saunders has decided on a mass clearout of the club's perceived dead wood. The jury is still out on Saunders, who may struggle to meet the supporters' high expectations, but Taylor will bring a great deal of experience to the forward line and could prove an inspired signing.

York Manager Martin Foyle (Nov 08) Last season 17th In Neil Barrett, Michael Gash and Darius Charles (all Ebbsfleet), James Meredith (Shrewsbury), Alex Lawless (Forest Green), Michael Rankine (Rushden), Alan O'Hare (Mansfield), Andy Farrell (Kidderminster), Craig Nelthorpe (Oxford), Djouman Sangare (Salisbury).

Out Adam Boyes (Scunthorpe, undisc)Craig Farrell (Rushden), Mark Robinson (Gateshead), Onome Sodje (Barnsley), Simon Rusk (Crawley). Verdict York have finished in the bottom half for two seasons in succession but a revival may be in the offing. Martin Foyle has been given the funds to re-shape his squad, including pounds 55,000 to secure Gash's services and his new-look team may be capable of a vast improvement.