Football Season Guide

Stevenage will still be licking their wounds after a dreadful April saw them undo all the good work of the previous few months to miss out on a play-off place. A 10th place finish in the League Two table was a real disappointment for manager Darren Sarll and he has since faced a challenging summer. He will hope to strengthen his squad and go one better this season but several influential players have left the club instead. There was some surprise at the release of full-back Kgosi Ntlhe and experienced midfielder Charlie Lee, whilst winger Jobi McAnuff rejected the offer of a new deal to return to relegated Leyton Orient. He is one of a quartet of players who were regulars last season but have rejected new deals to try their luck elsewhere. Goalkeeper, Jamie Jones, anD Michael Tonge have both left the club but Steven Schumacher remains. It could get much worse for Boro’ with last season’s leading goalscorer and player of the year Matt Godden attracting plenty of interest by clubs in higher leagues. If that wasn't enough, influential midfielder Ben Kennedy is also a target and Sarll will be relieved when the transfer window slams shut at the end of August. Despite struggling to keep hold of his best players, the manager has been proactive and brought in Swansea City striker Alex Samuel on a permanent deal after he impressed whilst on loan at Newport County last season. He will be hoping that striker Danny Newton can repeat Godden’s goalscoring exploits after signing from Tamworth. Full-back Lee Martin brings plenty of experience with him from Millwall, whilst Joe Fryer is set to be first-choice goalkeeper after signing on a season-long loan from Middlesbrough. However, with the possibility of more arrivals and departures at Broadhall Way it is difficult to predict how the new season will go for Stevenage.