NEW TO THE NLS FOR 25/26 | AFC Totton, Dagenham & Redbridge, Ebbsfleet United
- Ollie Heathcote
- Jun 17
- 6 min read
With some new names showing up in the National League South this year, and some new grounds to visit, we thought we'd give you a sneak peak into the six new teams we'll be hosting and visiting this year!
Written by Ollie Heathcote
AFC Totton
THE KEY INFO
Founded: 1886
Nickname: The Stags
Manager: Jimmy Ball
Stadium: Snows Stadium
Capacity: 3000
The History
Whilst the original Totton Football Club were founded in 1886, AFC Totton came into existence at the beginning of the 1974/75 season, following the joining of Totton FC and Totton Athletic. Their early years saw the Stags achieve a vast amount of success, gaining promotion in the 1979/80 season, as well as winning the Hampshire Senior Cup on multiple occasions throughout their history. The 2006/07 season also saw AFC Totton play a part in history as they recorded the highest FA Vase Final Attendance of 36,232 supporters in an unfortunate 1-3 defeat to Truro City. Their best FA Cup run saw the Stags reach the Second Round of the competition, before being defeated by Bristol Rovers in front of the TV cameras in the 2010/11 season. The club looks to go from strength to strength as they gained
promotion to the National League South and will look to establish themselves within the division.
The Manager
JIMMY BALL has been an inspiring figure to the success of AFC Totton in recent years. Joining the club in the 2021/22 season, Ball holds coaching experience within the Football League, with his first experience coming at Forest Green Rovers. After being caretaker manager at the back end of the 2020/21 season, Ball moved to Stevenage, where he was assistant manager to Paul Tisdale. After just two months in the role, AFC Totton announced his arrival, where he has led the Stags to huge success. After just one year at the Stags, Ball earned himself a 5 year contract extension, where he continues to impress as head coach.
One to Watch:
CHARLIE AUSTIN is a player who is no stranger to English football, having played as high as the Premier League during his career. However, Austin worked his way through the non league system, before earning a move to Swindon Town. From that point, Charlie Austin moved quickly through the Football League pyramid, with spells at Burnley, QPR, Southampton and West Brom, before a move to Brisbane Roar followed. After 6 months in Australia, Austin moved back to Swindon Town, spending 2 seasons with the Robins. He moved to AFC
Totton at the beginning of last season, where he went on to secure 9 goals.
How They Got Promoted:
AFC Totton achieved promotion into the National League South through success in the Southern League Premier Division South Playoff Final, as they defeated Gloucester City 1-0 in front of a sold out Snows Stadium. It proved to be an end-to-end affair with both teams having their share of chances. However, a 70th minute opener from Ethan Taylor broke the deadlock, with a delicately chipped effort into the back of the net. Whilst Gloucester continued to push for an equaliser, the Totton defence held firm to secure promotion.
Dagenham & Redbridge
THE KEY INFO
Founded: 1992
Nickname: The Daggers
Manager: Lee Bradbury
Stadium: The Chigwell Construction Stadium (Victoria Road)
Capacity: 6078
The History:
Dagenham & Redbridge were founded in 1992, following a series of mergers as Leytonstone, Ilford and Walthamstow Avenue joined forces to form Redbridge Forest. This then saw the merger with Dagenham FC to form the club that they are today. Despite only existing for 33 years, Dagenham & Redbridge have experienced a combination of non-league football, as well as experiences within the Football League. Whilst their early years proved to be a matter of fine margins of achieving promotion into the Football League, the 2006/07 season saw the Daggers top the table, earning promotion for the first time in their existence. The next years became about establishing themselves within the division, which they began to build upon with every season. The 2009/10 season saw the Daggers promoted following a 3-2 playoff final win over Rotherham United to achieve promotion to League One. This was the highest that Dagenham & Redbridge have played, with relegation confirmed back to League Two after just a season. Whilst the last decade has been tough, the arrival of Lee Bradbury could be the push required to make an immediate return to the National League.
The Manager:
LEE BRADBURY has been confirmed to be the new manager of Dagenham & Redbridge ahead of this upcoming campaign, and has equipped with him a wealth of experience throughout his coaching career. His first managerial spell came at AFC Bournemouth during the 2010/11 season, before a short stint as assistant manager at Portsmouth. After this, Bradbury got his first taste of non-league management at Havant & Waterlooville, where he spent 7 years. His most recent stint of coaching has been part of Darren Moore’s coaching staff at Port Vale. Bradbury has developed within his time in management, as he looks to propel the Daggers straight back to the National League at the first attempt.
One To Watch:
Following the departure of last season’s top scorer Josh Rees, who joined Hornchurch, JOSH UMERAH may be called upon even more this season as the Daggers enter a competitive National League South Division. Having already picked up experience within non-league, Umerah is no stranger to the level, playing for Ebbsfleet, Torquay, Wealdstone and Hartlepool before joining the Daggers. He recorded 8 goals and 4 assists in 37 appearances in last season’s National League campaign, and could be a key force in the Daggers’ quest
for an immediate return.
Last Season:
Last season proved to be one of fine margins for Dagenham & Redbridge, as a 1-1 draw away to Solihull Moors confirmed their relegation to the National League South. Having won 12 games, drawn 16 and lost 18, it was a matter of fine margins, with some points dropped in winning positions. However, a defining spell of their season came when they went 13 games without a league victory between January 8th and 15th March. Whilst this is the
second time in their history at Step 6 of the Football pyramid, the Daggers are building a strong squad, as they eye a return to the National League.
Ebbsfleet United
THE KEY INFO
Founded: 1946
Nickname: The Fleet
Manager: Josh Wright
Stadium: Kuflink Stadium
Capacity: 4769
The History:
Founded in 1946, Ebbsfleet United came into existence through the merger of Gravesend United and Northfleet United. After initially being known as Gravesend & Northfleet, the club adopted the name Ebbsfleet United through a Rebrand in 2007. The Fleet contains a rich history, with early success happening in the Kent Senior Cup, as well as being founding members of what is now known as The National League. Ebbsfleet have also achieved success in the FA Trophy, winning the competition at Wembley Stadium - the same season that they adopted the new name. Since 2010, the Fleet have been between Step 1 and 2 of
the Non-League period, with their most recent time in the National League South resulted in them achieving promotion to the National League as champions in the 2022/23 season. Ebbsfleet are a team to watch in this division, as they seek an immediate return to the National League.
The Manager:
JOSH WRIGHT is somebody who is new to management, having taken the role of manager of the club during last season’s campaign. Despite this being his first managerial job, Wright has played the majority of his career at Football League level, which has helped him to develop his leadership and help to improve his knowledge of the game. Whilst initially being brought in as a player, Wright has built relationships with his players, which could help to prove pivotal in terms of creating a unified vision.
One to Watch:
AARON COSGROVE was a key source of goals for the Fleet last season, achieving 11 goal contributions out of the 38 goals that Ebbsfleet scored. Operating as a striker, Cosgrave has a great amount of experience within non-league football, representing numerous clubs between Steps 1 and 3. Ahead of this campaign, Cosgrave will look to continue his eye for goal, which would prove vital in a competitive division this season.
Played for both:
Centre Back MUSTAPHA OLAGUNJU is a familiar name to the Tudor faithful, having represented the club as recently as last season on a one month loan. Coming into the side at the back end of Bobby Wilkinson’s tenure at the club, the arrival of Lee Allinson saw Olagunju shine as he built his centre back partnership with Kyle Ajayi. He is a solid defender, who is not afraid to put his body on the line, and is able to distribute the ball well to progress up the field.
Last Season:
It was an extremely tough season for Ebbsfleet United, as they finished bottom of the National League, winning just 3 games of the 46 played. Whilst the beginning of the season proved difficult, a 1-0 victory at home to Hartlepool marked their first victory of the season. However, this was to be their only win until the 15th March, with a managerial departure in the December of the season too. Having been competitive in many fixtures last season, the Fleet will look to regather their troops and aim for an instant return.
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