Adam Hassell
BBC Radio Nottingham

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With the worst defence in League Two last campaign, Notts County have done everything they can in the close season to rectify it. With no less than seven defenders and a goalkeeper signing during the summer, it’s fair to say that the owners, recruitment and management team were very aware of what needed improvement.

At the other end of the pitch, back-to-back top scorer for the Magpies, Macaulay Langstaff, has moved on – so will this season prove the opposite of last, with a stronger defence but weaker attack?

There may be no direct replacement through the door for Stuart Maynard’s side, but January signing Alassana Jatta may prove to be that man, with strong performances and goals as the number nine in pre-season. With a fully fit Cedwyn Scott and experienced David McGoldrick in that position too, you’d think there’s still goals in that team and let’s not forget arguably their best business of the summer, keeping hold of record-breaking assist provider, Jodi Jones.

A good start is key to a successful season, but get that and Notts would fancy themselves of having a squad more than capable of breaking into the top seven.

Full match commentary of every Notts game in every competition this season on 103.8FM BBC Radio Nottingham.

Rob Phillips
BBC Wales football correspondent on BBC Radio Wales

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There has been a quiet revolution at Newport County as the Huw Jenkins era takes shape.

The man who nurtured the distinctively styled Swansea City rise to seven years in the Premier League took the helm in January. He watched for a while and then executed a summer overhaul.

Graham Coughlan and his coaching team departed in June, untried Nelson Jardim was installed as head coach and so far 12 players have arrived – all but one under the age of 24. Indeed some even arrived before Newport had a head coach!

The Jenkins blueprint at Swansea was to hone effective young talent to play passing, possession-based football, sell at the right price and build the club.

Newport have just sold top scorer Will Evans to Mansfield and in the short term will hope Courtney Baker-Richardson’s return will help offset Evans’ departure. Aaron Wildig will be increasingly important with the new style. Of the new recruits, Anthony Glennon has already impressed and Cameron Antwi has had his moments.

It won’t be boring but for Newport fans it's very much a case of “In Jenkins we Trust”.

Listen to coverage of Newport County across the BBC on Radio Wales, Radio Cymru, online and on Sounds.

Derek Quinn
BBC Radio Lancashire Sport

It may be a new season but it's the same old story at Morecambe as many have already tipped them for relegation.

Their ongoing financial worries remain with owner Jason Whittingham still unable to sell a club he has had on the market for more than two years, which leaves the Shrimps with what is likely to be the lowest budget in the EFL again.

Their troubles last season saw wages paid late at one stage last season and a transfer embargo for the non-payment of a VAT bill.

At one stage in the close season the Shrimps were left with no manager and just three recognised first-team players before Derek Adams came back for his third spell in charge.

An input of cash a few weeks ago meant the club were able to draft in 15 players on the same day and the likes of George Ray, Tom White and Paul Lewis all bring valuable experience to the Mazuma, while there are high hopes that Callum Jones can remain injury free and show his full undoubted potential.

Things won't be easy but with Adams in charge the Shrimps could provide a few surprises along the way.

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Paul Dixon
BBC Three Counties Radio commentator

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A disappointing end to last season has been put to bed with an overhaul of the squad. Max Dean departing for Belgium is a blow but that seven-figure fee has allowed Dons to complete moves for players who were offered deals at League One clubs.

Whenever a club signs a large amount of players the concern is that it will take a little while to get going. So I won’t be particularly worried if the opening fixtures don’t go according to plan.

Having said that, the club have brought a degree of experience so that could make the transitional period a little smoother.

The aim is simple – automatic promotion!

Timothy Steere
BBC Radio York

Last season was a record-breaking one for Harrogate Town. A highest-ever EFL finish of 13th place in League Two and there was a brief stint in the play-off places in February.

Then Mansfield away happened. We don’t talk about Mansfield.

Most of the squad from last season have stayed on. Losing Abraham Odoh to Peterborough and Rod McDonald to Notts County are blows, but Stephen Duke-McKenna has looked lively in pre-season, as have Zico Asare and Ellis Taylor.

Their 13th-placed finish last season reflected Town as a side, really - unpredictable, too good to go down, but not quite good enough to be in the play-offs.

Into his 15th year as manager at the club, Simon Weaver is looking up the table rather than down.

But League Two is relentless and it will take another big effort from the whole squad to once again prove people wrong and push for the top half.

Only five teams scored fewer than Town last season. So the question is, have they got the firepower now?

They’re one of the favourites for relegation, nothing new there. But to be honest, Harrogate Town don’t mind that either.

You can hear full commentary of every Harrogate Town match on BBC Radio York DAB.

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Matt Dean
BBC Radio Humberside

Last season’s brush with relegation was far too close for comfort. The necessary rebuild has been gradual, starting with the defence. Attacking reinforcements have been harder to secure, leaving a question mark over whether the team will have enough creativity this season come the end of the transfer window.

After the way last season panned out, the club’s approach to recruitment is under greater scrutiny, as is David Artell and a desire to revisit playing a possession based-brand of football.

The home fans will crave much more assertive performances at Blundell Park, whilst looking for their team to fix atrocious away form that yielded just two wins all season.

Danny Rose will again be an important cog in the wheel. However, others must chip in with goals. New wingers Luca Barrington and Jason Daði Svanþórsson offer the potential to make a difference but both are untested at League Two level.

Town head into the new campaign with an unwaveringly loyal fanbase. Over 5,000 season tickets sold after a relegation struggle is testament to that.

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Matt Cole
BBC Radio Kent

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New season, new manager with Stephen Clemence paying the price for a 12th place finish in 2023-24. He is replaced by former Cambridge boss Mark Bonner.

The Gills' woes in front of goal have been well documented, they were the second lowest scorers in the division last campaign - going only one better than the season before.

A number of attack-minded signings have already been added and many Gillingham fans will be expecting at least a play-off place.

Fundamentally though, most would just like to see their team hit the back of the net more often.

The club's American owners have already shown they're not afraid to act if those expectations aren't met.

Listen to full commentary of every Gillingham game on BBC Radio Kent.

Phil Gittins
BBC Radio Lancashire

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Having seen their 10-year stay in the third tier of English football come to an end, the defiant message coming out of Fleetwood Town is loud and clear, their intention is to bounce back at the first time of asking!

With a large proportion of last season's relegated squad retained, summer recruitment has added experience in midfield duo Matty Virtue from Blackpool, Guyana international Elliot Bonds from Cheltenham and defensive duo James Bolton from St Mirren and former Arsenal defender Zech Medley.

While much will be anticipated from the new recruits, crucially, last season's player of the year and influential captain Brendan Wiredu has been retained by the club.

The biggest question mark of all will be where a regular supply of goals will come from. Following the departures of Promise Omochere and Jayden Stockley, much will depend on how quickly the recruits from the League of Ireland - Phoenix Patterson, Tommy Lonergan and Ronan Coughlan - adapt to the rigours of League Two football.

Adam Oxley
BBC Radio Sheffield

Excitement is building at the Eco-Power Stadium that this could be the year that Doncaster Rovers return to League One.

The crushing disappointment of losing on penalties to Crewe in last season’s play-off semi-finals has been bottled as fuel to go for the top three, and Grant McCann has assembled a squad that looks capable of challenging. He also got his business done early, and has been happy with the players at his disposal for most of pre-season.

The headline is the return of one of the most experienced strikers in the EFL, Billy Sharp, for a third spell at the club. Few teams will be able to rival forward options that include Sharp, Joe Ironside and George Miller, and those players are backed with strength in depth across the pitch.

Rovers were the story at the end of last season, winning ten games in a row to go from 22nd in February to 5th and a place in the play-offs.

Recapture that form from the start and with a much better injury record, automatic promotion could be on the cards.

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Graham McGarry
Crewe commentator for BBC Radio Stoke

Last season the Crewe Alexandra chairman predicted his team would reach the League Two play-offs. They did just that before being beaten in the play-off final by Crawley.

While the hierarchy will be hoping that Lee Bell's side can go one better this time around, it would mean once again them being one of the division's overachievers.

Bell has lost several influential players this closed season, which has forced him into a rebuilding job ahead of the big kick-off at Barrow.

The manager himself has been busy in the window with seven newcomers arriving.

If those new recruits gel with the group of talented home-grown players they already have at their disposal then Crewe can once again be among the teams chasing at least a top-seven finish.

Matus Holicek is one of a number of youngsters the club has high hopes for, and with the teenager now having gained valuable game-time last season his attacking potential could be what's needed in Crewe's bid for a return to League One.

Follow all Crewe Alexandra games this season on BBC Radio Stoke 94.6FM DAB and Freeview 715.

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Victoria Polley
BBC Essex Sports Editor

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There is a lot of excitement around the Cowley brothers being in charge at Colchester, but with the U’s only escaping relegation from the EFL on the final day of last season, it’s fair to say most supporters would take anything other than another year languishing towards the bottom of League Two.

Danny and Nicky Cowley took over in January, so have now had a pre-season to overhaul their squad and there will be a whole host of new faces among the team come the opening day of the season.

They’ve lost the highly-rated Noah Chilvers, Jay Mingi and Jayden Fevrier while club captain Connor Hall has also departed to return to Port Vale.

The U’s have brought in a number of new players, including some the Cowleys have previously worked with, including the experienced Lyle Taylor and Alex Woodyard, who will know the high-pressure, high-intensity brand of football the brothers like to play.

In turn, they are players who the coaches know and can hopefully get the best out of.

A good mix of youth and experience in the squad and stability at the top should hopefully bring better fortunes for Colchester United.

Listen to every Colchester United match live on BBC Essex 103.5FM and have your say on the BBC Essex fans’ phone-in on Fridays from 6pm.

Paul Fisher
BBC Radio Sheffield

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Chesterfield won the National League by a mammoth 12 points last season, winning the title before the clocks went forward, adding club records by the bucketful.

Momentum could be key for the Spireites and they have the perfect manager in Paul Cook to potentially guide them to promotion.

Cook is a two-time winner of English Football’s fourth tier, one of those with Chesterfield 10 years ago. The former Pompey and Wigan boss has added youth and experience to a squad looking for back-to-back promotions.

Striker Paddy Madden won League Two with Stockport last season, bagging 17 goals in the Hatters title-winning side. Defender Chey Dunkley has been brought in to bolster a defence which creaked on occasions last season, whilst wing-back Lewis Gordon adds youthfulness, having arrived from Bristol Rovers.

Most of Chesterfield’s transfer business has been done early, but they will target additions close to the transfer window deadline.

Peter Matthews
BBC Radio Gloucestershire's Cheltenham Town commentator

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It has been (another) summer of major upheaval at Cheltenham Town with 21 players leaving since the heroic but ultimately unsuccessful efforts to stay in League One.

In addition, Darrell Clarke, the inspirational manager who came close to achieving survival despite no goals and one point in the first 11 games, has also departed - although few fans begrudge his opportunity to stay in League One with Barnsley.

The new man at the helm is Michael Flynn, who achieved wonders at Newport and knows the league well. Used to working on a tight budget, he looks a sensible appointment.

A couple of familiar faces return to support Flynn. Gary Johnson, the new director of football, led a complete rebuild after the Robins' relegation from the Football League in 2015 and steered the club to the terrific feat of becoming the only club since Lincoln in 1988 to come back up as champions at the first time of asking.

His captain in that side, the popular Aaron Downes, returns as assistant manager.

On the pitch it's difficult to predict how an almost completely new team will fare. Matty Taylor should score goals and the returning Harry Pell, Scot Bennett and Luke Young all know this level well. Cheltenham will hope this experience will keep them out of trouble but an immediate return to League One may be too much to hope for.

Paul Newton
BBC Cumbria sports editor

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Carlisle United find themselves back in League Two following - statistically - the worst season in the club's history last time out on their brief and brutal return to League One.

A good start will be vital to banish any lingering hangover from last season's campaign.

The squad has undergone a significant overhaul with former Sunderland forward Charlie Wyke the standout addition on his return to Brunton Park, while the arrival of Terrell Thomas from Charlton and former Carlisle captain Aaron Hayden from Wrexham should add some much-needed solidity at the back.

New American owners, the Piataks, have invested over £5m in stadium renovations this summer and, with a similar amount set to be invested into a new training facility in the city, there will be an expectation that Paul Simpson's side have to feature in the promotion mix this season to keep fans and owners happy.

Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff
72+ podcast hosts on BBC Radio 5 Live

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As 72+ Podcast hosts Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff look ahead to the League Two season, they're joined by Bromley boss Andy Woodman as his side look ahead to their first-ever fixture in the EFL.

The Ravens were promoted to League Two via the play-offs for the first time in the club's 132-year history in May.

Andy Woodman: "It doesn't suit my personality [to try and just stay up], I'm an underdog - I've achieved way more than I should have as a player and a manager, and if I go with the mindset that we're just going to stay up, what message does that send to my group of players?

"We're going to set ourselves a target to try and break into the play-offs. Let's throw down the gauntlet and have a target to hit like we did last season - and, guess what, we hit it."

Jobi McAnuff on Bromley: "They are [going to be different] and I think that's going to be something that's going to be really, really fun to watch. The manager really sets the culture and the DNA for the football club, along with the ownership group.

"What they have got is some real good motivation in looking around at other teams that have done similar in recent years - the likes of Sutton United, who went up and were very competitive, their time came eventually."

Aaron Paul: "Are they gonna stay up?"

JM: "I feel a little bit bad now after the interview, I love Andy Woodman and there's a lot of players there I know well. I think it's going to be a struggle for them, the one thing in their favour - mostly the teams promoted from the National League to League Two do stay up at that first time of asking.

"I think it's going to be a tough ask for them this season and if they do, it's going to be a really big achievement."

AP: "I'm gonna go out and I'm gonna say they'll stay up."

Listen to the full League Two preview on BBC Sounds here.

Xavier Bird
BBC Radio London

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Bromley may have only just been promoted to the EFL for the first time in 132 years, but manager Andy Woodman doesn’t want anybody resting on their laurels.

“I’m extremely proud to be the man that’s brought them to the league,” he told BBC Radio London. “That’s my legacy, but I don’t want it to be my only legacy. I want to push this club to the next level.”

Crucial to any chance of that happening will be the goal-scoring success of star striker Michael Cheek. The 32-year-old scored 151 goals in the National League, including 23 last season, two of which were in the play-off final.

Keeping goals out will also be key: Omar Sowunmi has joined from Sutton United, adding to a strong back-line that already includes Deji Elerewe and captain Byron Webster.

Webster, 37, scored the winning penalty in the play-off final and signed a new contract with the Ravens in June.

Jamie Raynor
BBC Radio Leeds Sport

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It's now a sixth straight season for Bradford City in League Two.

For a club that pledged an imminent return to League One following their relegation in 2019, patience is wearing thin among the ever loyal fanbase.

Still, over 13,000 season tickets have been sold and promotion remains a firm ambition to all concerned at Valley Parade, not least the once absent owner Stefan Rupp who’s open letter to supporters towards the back end of last season came with a number of pledges to better the club both on and off the field.

Pre-season has been more about preservation and refinement than recruitment turnover, mainly born from necessity.

Fitness has been a priority and manager Graham Alexander has pushed his players to the physical and mental limit, with the help of a new medical department in the background.

That being said, the Bantams have made additions this summer with a common theme. All but one of their six signings have achieved promotion within the last two years, including serial winner Antoni Sarcevic from last season’s League Two champions – that doesn’t seem a coincidence.

Only time will tell if the work that’s gone in over the last few months will pay dividends, but the sense of stability across the operation has given the Bantams a solid chance.

Let's have your League Two predictions - who will win automatic promotion to League One? Who will contest the play-offs? And who is destined for non-league football in 2025-26?

Tweet us on X using #bbcefl with your predictions and they could end up making an appearance here this afternoon.

Adam Johnson
BBC Radio Cumbria Sport

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So a new era begins at Holker Street.

After two seasons of progression under the guidance of Pete Wild, the club begin the new season with Stephen Clemence in charge.

The former Birmingham and Tottenham midfielder has been tasked with bringing a more front-foot style of football to South Cumbria as they look to go at least one better than last season, narrowly missing out on the League Two play-offs.

Patience may be the key for the Barrow supporters with a tough start to the season in the offing.

The arrivals of Connor Mahoney and Ben Jackson both from Huddersfield have been greeted with optimism, that with retaining the likes of Dean Campbell and Kian Spence both key elements in last season's successful periods.

Dan Jewell
BBC Radio Lancashire Sport

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

For the first time in almost a decade, Accrington go into a season under new management and after something of a squad overhaul. But the verdict from the pundits and bookies remains relegation battlers.

Boss John Doolan has set about making his mark on the team but has had to contend with the loss of regular goals in the shape of Jack Nolan and Tommy Leigh.

A range of promising non-league prospects and homegrown kids will need to step up, along with a sprinkling of experience in the shape of the likes of summer recruits Farrend Rawson and Donald Love.

Nobody within the club will care about the predictions and will hope to continue Stanley’s longstanding habit of confounding external expectations.

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