The start of a new year marks the rough halfway mark in the non-League calendar, with teams vying for promotion and survival. In this article, we look at the teams at the top of the table heading into the New Year in the National League, National League North and National League South, with the three league winners predicted.
York City start 2025 top of the National League. Last season, the Minstermen limped to safety, finishing one point and one place above the relegation zone. A string of poor signings and managerial appointments from new owner Matt Uggla left the Yorkshire side in perilous danger. However, the brave appointment of Worthing manager Adam Hinshelwood in February inspired them to safety, and they've started this season on the front foot.
Matt Uggla has put his money where his mouth is and backed Hinshelwood, with his side looking like real title contenders. However, with Barnet, Forest Green and Oldham hot on their tails, we should be set for a title race for the ages. If York do hold on, they will play in the Football League for the first time since 2016. Forest Green and York are the joint 3.0 favourites for the title as it stands.
Forest Green have the experience and promotion know-how, but York have more attacking talent and more financial backing, so I am leaning towards the current leaders to win the league.
Prediction: York City To Win the League @3.00
Nine points separate top-of-the-table Curzon Ashton and 12th-place South Shields in an engulfing National League North campaign. Craig Mahon's side are ahead of Kings Lynn on goal difference but have three games in hand on The Linnets. Last year, Tamworth stormed to the title by eight points, leading the way for most of the season. However, this year, you will be hard-pressed to find a clear winner.
Curzon Ashton currently leads the betting to win the league, but Kidderminster and Scunthorpe are the two main challengers according to the odds, with the rest of the league available at double-figure odds. If Curzon do get promoted, it will be their first-ever time in the National League, with last season's playoff campaign their highest finish in the club's history.
Despite them being two points clear of Kidderminster, I am siding with the Harriers to win the league. They have won seven of their last nine league games as well as beating National League South side Slough in the FA Trophy fourth round. Phil Brown is the most experienced manager in the league and this should give Kidderminster the edge in a rollercoaster of a season.
Prediction: Kidderminster To Win The League @4.33
The National League South, like the National League North, is too tight to call. Torquay lead the way after 24 games, but seventh place Worthing sit just four points off. It should be a seven-horse race, but the teams outside the playoffs should not be ruled out yet.
Points deductions and financial mismanagement saw Torquay finish 18th in the National League South last year - the lowest finish in the clubs' history. This year under the guise of Paul Wotton, the Gulls sit one point clear at the top of the league. Torquay are currently 11 games unbeaten in the league, but a 5-1 loss to Worthing in the FA Trophy has shown cracks.
Boreham Wood have looked better under the guise of Luke Garrard and have won six of their last eight games, while Maidstone are 17 unbeaten in the league, including winning six in a row.
However, Worthing may just go under the radar after their shock National League South playoff defeat last year. Chris Agutter has made his Rebels side hard to beat, conceding just twice in the last six games. He is also blessed with attacking talent, with Danny Cashman the standout player in the league, while Muhammadu Faal is starting to score goals. If the Rebels can get a couple more new faces through the door, they could be playing National League football for the first time in their history.
Prediction: Worthing To Win The League @13.00
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