York City: Their League Two Rivals

Tomorrow the football league season gets underway, and York boss Gary Mills has stated that he has set his sights on earning promotion at the first attempt. Mills told BBC Radio York; “My aim last year was promotion and it is the same this season. People talk about consolidating but to me that’s a negative approach. It’s simple, I want to get promoted. We’ve worked hard in pre-season and we have the momentum from last season still. We’ve kept the nucleus of the squad from last year and the new signings have gelled in fantastically well.”
However to achieve that York will have to overcome some strong ambition. There are 23 other teams, all with their strengths and weaknesses, and Vision will assess the chances of them all.

AFC Wimbledon

After going out of business many years ago, the newly formed Wimbledon side have fought there way back into the football league, and re-established themselves. The side started last season brilliantly, before slipping away. The squad has been restructured over the summer, and will hope to improve on last year’s finish.
Last Season: 16th
Home Fixture: Saturday 10th November 2012
Away Fixture: Saturday 9th March 2013
Manager: Terry Brown
Key Player: Jack Midson. The striker scored 20 goals last year to top the side’s scoring charts.
Prediction: 19th

Accrington Stanley

With an average age of 21, Accrington possess a very youthful squad, but one full of ambition, under manager Paul Cook. Mid-table last year was a decent achievement, and they’d probably take the same again this year, but they might struggle due to a lack of experience.
Last Season: 14th
Home Fixture: Saturday 6th April 2012
Away Fixture: Tuesday 23rd October 2012
Manager: Paul Cook
Key Player: Michael Liddle, a solid and dependable left back, Liddle could be instrumental for his side.
Prediction: 21st

Aldershot Town

Aldershot finished last year excellently shooting up the table, and will be looking to continue their form into this campaign. They are one of the smaller clubs in the division, but with a good blend of experienced campaigners and promising youngsters they have the potential to cause a surprise.
Last Season: 11th
Home Fixture: Saturday 19th January 2013
Away Fixture: Saturday 29th September 2012
Manager: Dean Holdsworth
Key Player: Guy Branston. The veteran centre half adds valuable experience to an ambitious squad.
Prediction: 16th

Barnet

Year after year Barnet struggle to survive in the football league, but they manage to escape relegation; you could call them the Wigan of League Two. Last year they held on to their football league status by finishing 22nd, and another difficult season will in all likelihood lie ahead, especially after the departure of top scorer Izale McLeod.
Last Season: 22nd
Home Fixture: Saturday 16th February 2012
Away Fixture: Saturday 25th August 2012
Manager: Mark Robson
Key Player: Jonathan Fortune. The 31 year old centre half has played most of his career at a higher level, and should be valuable for the side’s cause.
Prediction: 24th

Bradford City

Arguably the biggest club in the division, it has been a difficult last decade for the club who have been consigned to the bottom tier of the football league. Every year people say they’ll be in the promotion race, but they seem to fail to deliver. They look stronger though this year and should fare better under Phil Parkinson.
Last Season: 18th
Home Fixture: Saturday 2nd March 2013
Away Fixture: Saturday 13th October 2012
Manager: Phil Parkinson
Key Player: Andrew Davies. His loan move from Stoke was made permanent in the summer and he should be a top defender at this level.
Prediction: 14th

Bristol Rovers
After a disappointing campaign last year, there’s a sense of optimism within the Bristol Rovers faithful. Mark McGhee has made a positive impact at the club, and will be hoping to reach the playoffs this time round. Anything less than that will be considered as another poor season.
Last Season: 13th
Home Fixture: Saturday 15th December 2012
Away Fixture: Saturday 30th March 2013
Manager: Mark McGhee
Key Player: Matt Harrold, the club’s top scorer last year will be hoping to replicate his form this year around.
Prediction: 8th

Burton Albion

Another of the smaller clubs in the division, Burton have recruited well over the summer, and appear to have a dangerous strike force and a solid defence. They’ll be looking to build on last year and achieve a top half finish. However that’s easier said than done in a strong league, and they may struggle.
Last Season: 17th
Home Fixture: Tuesday 1st January 2013
Away Fixture: Wednesday 19th September 2012
Manager: Gary Rowett
Key Player: Jacques Maghoma, an exciting midfielder, who is capable of creating chances and scoring goals.
Prediction: 20th

Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham had an excellent season last year, but missed out on promotion after being defeated in the play off final by Crewe. They’ll be looking to bounce back from that and enjoy a similarly impressive campaign, but it may be challenging. They will be hoping that their new signings can bed into the squad efficiently.
Last Season: 6th
Home Fixture: Saturday 22nd September 2012
Away Fixture: Saturday 12th January 2013
Manager: Mark Yates
Key Player: Sam Deering. The new signing will be looking to bed into the heart of the team as a replacement for Luke Summerfield.
Prediction: 15th

Chesterfield

After relegation from League One last season, the club will be looking to bounce back at the first attempt, and appear to have a squad capable of achieving that goal. Shrewd summer signings by John Sheridan, such as Marc Richards and Sam Hird should bolster a competitive outfit.
Last Season: 22nd (Relegated from League One)
Home Fixture: Saturday 8th September 2012
Away Fixture: Wednesday 26th December 2012
Manager: John Sheridan
Key Player: Marc Richards. Port Vale’s top scorer from the past few seasons has moved to new pursuits, and will be looking to fire Chesterfield to promotion.
Prediction: 1st

Dagenham and Redbridge

Dagenham only narrowly preserved their football league status last year, relying on a series of good results at the end of the season to survive. Senior players have left over the summer, and a difficult campaign looks to be in store, as John Still’s young squad face another fight against relegation.
Last Season: 19th
Home Fixture: Saturday 20th October 2012
Away Fixture: Saturday 27th April 2013
Manager: John Still
Key Player: Gavin Hoyte. After being released by Arsenal, defender Hoyte has signed a two year deal with the club to bolster their chances.
Prediction: 23rd

Exeter City

Last season was one to forget for the South-West club, as they suffered a disappointing relegation. However a host of experienced players have been signed over the summer, creating a squad which should be pushing for a top seven place come the end of the season.
Last Season: 23rd (Relegated from League One)
Home Fixture: Saturday 5th January 2013
Away Fixture: Saturday 15th September 2012
Manager: Paul Tisdale
Key Player: Matt Oakley. The former Southampton midfielder has bags of experience, and the ability to thrive at this level.
Prediction: 7th

Fleetwood Town

Fleetwood will be familiar to York fans, as they also enjoyed promotion to League Two last year. Top scorer Jamie Vardy has departed for a million pounds, but he has been replaced by a series of exciting signings, as Fleetwood boast the financial resources which others envy. Another strong season lies ahead.
Last Season: 1st (Promoted from Blue Square Bet Premier)
Home Fixture: Tuesday 2nd October 2012
Away Fixture: Saturday 29th December 2012
Manager: Micky Mellon
Key Player: Damien Johnson. A big name for this league, Johnson turned down higher division clubs to join Fleetwood.
Prediction: 3rd

Gillingham

Gillingham narrowly missed out on the playoffs last year, and will be looking to improve on that this year. A change in manager and new signings has fuelled optimism, as the club look to get out of the fourth tier of English football. Youngster Bradley Dack is an exciting prospect, as is the now fit Adam Birchall.
Last Season: 8th
Home Fixture: Saturday 22nd December 2012
Away Fixture: Saturday 26th January 2013
Manager: Martin Allen
Key Player: Danny Kedwell. Last year’s top scorer will be looking for another good campaign, after impressing in 2011/12.
Prediction: 5th

Morecambe

Last year ended in a respectable mid table finish, and emulating that would be seen as a success. The side struggled for goals last year, and with a small budget and financial restrictions it could be a challenging campaign which sees them fight for their football league survival.
Last Season: 15th
Home Fixture: Saturday 2nd February 2013
Away Fixture: Tuesday 21st August 2012
Manager: Jim Bentley
Key Player: Richard Brodie. The loanee will be hoping to add goals to a side which has lacked firepower in recent years.
Prediction: 22nd

Northampton Town

It was a difficult campaign last year for Northampton who only narrowly avoided relegation. They’ll be looking for a better season this time around, and under Aidy Boothroyd they appear to be making progress. Summer recruitment and a bigger budget hints at an improved showing this year.
Last Season: 20th
Home Fixture: Tuesday 6th November 2012
Away Fixture: Saturday 13th April 2013
Manager: Aidy Boothroyd
Key Player: David Artell. The former Crewe captain adds experience after leaving troubled Port Vale only weeks into his contract.
Prediction: 17th

Oxford United

After narrowly missing out on the playoffs last year after a terrible end to the season, Oxford will be hoping to fare better this time. Injuries hampered them last year, but the spine of the team has been retained, whilst fresh faces have been added. The pressure will be on for them to at least make a top seven finish.
Last Season: 9th
Home Fixture: Saturday 1st September 2012
Away Fixture: Saturday 23rd February 2013
Manager: Chris Wilder
Key Player: Jake Wright. The captain was an influential figure for his side at the back last year, and one of the first names on the team sheet.
Prediction: 6th

Plymouth Argyle

Last year saw problems for Plymouth on and off the pitch, but they eventually secured their survival. This season they should enjoy added stability, but a lack of goals may hinder their bid for real progression. They should have enough to avoid relegation, and will probably settle for a mid table finish.
Last Season: 21st
Home Fixture: Monday 1st April 2013
Away Fixture: Saturday 8th December 2012
Manager: Carl Fletcher
Key Player: Paul Wotton. The veteran midfielder has over 500 league appearances, and still remains a capable player for any League Two side.
Prediction: 18th

Port Vale

It has been a turbulent past twelve months for troubled Port Vale, who still remain in administration. Keith Ryder has failed to complete his takeover, and key personnel such as Marc Richards have left the club. Micky Adams has recruited shrewdly though and his side should finish around the top ten, despite a lack of firepower.
Last Season: 12th
Home Fixture: Saturday 16th March 2013
Away Fixture: Saturday 17th November 2012
Manager: Micky Adams
Key Player: Doug Loft. The new captain and versatile midfielder was his side’s standout player last year.
Prediction: 10th

Rochdale

After a disastrous campaign last year which saw them finish bottom of League One, John Coleman has assembled a squad which he expects to challenge for a top seven finish. Many players have left over the summer, whilst a string of the new signings are former Accrington players previously managed by Coleman.
Last Season: 24th (Relegated from League One)
Home Fixture: Tuesday 12th March 2013
Away Fixture: Tuesday 20th November 2012
Manager: John Coleman
Key Player: George Donnelly. The new signing could be a key addition for Rochdale, adding vital games.
Prediction: 13th

Rotherham

It has been an exciting summer for Rotherham as they look to build on last year’s 10th place finish. They have moved into a new stadium, and have welcomed no fewer than eleven new signings to the club. The squad seems to be full of quality and they’ll start the season as one of the favourites for promotion.
Last Season: 10th
Home Fixture: Saturday 6th October 2012
Away Fixture: Tuesday 26th February 2013
Manager: Steve Evans
Key Player: Kari Arnason. The Icelandic international is arguably the most exciting of Evans’ summer signings, and will be looking to make a big impact.
Prediction: 2nd

Southend United

Southend suffered a bitter blow in missing out on promotion in the playoffs after an excellent season. This year they’ll be looking to go one better, but in a competitive league with many strong outfits, that could be tricky. A good start to the season is needed, else the pressure might build on manager Paul Sturrock
Last Season: 4th
Home Fixture: Saturday 20th April 2013
Away Fixture: Saturday 27th October 2012
Manager: Paul Sturrock
Key Player: Freddie Eastwood. The striker returns to the club on a full time basis, and has the ability to bag crucial goals.
Prediction: 11th

Torquay United

Torquay had a fantastic campaign last year, but ended up disappointed as they missed out on promotion. They’ve lost a trio of key players, but Martin Ling has made some shrewd additions, so in all likelihood they’ll be there or thereabouts again this year. They’ll also look forward to local derbies against Exeter and Plymouth.
Last Season: 5th
Home Fixture: Saturday 24th November 2012
Away Fixture: Saturday 23rd March 2013
Manager: Martin Ling
Key Player: Billy Bodin. Torquay beat other suitors to Bodin’s signing, stating their intentions for the season to come.
Prediction: 9th

Wycombe Wanderers

The club suffered relegation last year, but have since added financial stability and new signings over the summer. There side possesses plenty of experience, and the ability to earn promotion at the first time of asking. The strength of other sides may just stop them from earning automatic promotion though.
Last Season: 21st (Relegated from League One)
Home Fixture: Saturday 18th August 2012
Away Fixture: Saturday 9th February 2013
Manager: Gary Waddock
Key Player: Stuart Beavon. The striker bagged 25 goals last year, and holding onto him is key to Wycombe’s chances.
Prediction: 4th

So there you have it, all of York’s rivals. Gary Mills is aiming for promotion, but my prediction is that they’ll finish in a comfortable mid table position. That would mark a successful return to the football league, and set up a tilt for promotion next year around. Hopefully I’m wrong though and York will mount a promotion challenge over the next nine months.
Vision’s Prediction for York City: 12th