Morecambe manager reveals who he thinks are contenders to win 26/27 National League North

Morecambe manager Adam Lakeland reveals who he thinks are contenders to win the National League North ahead of the 26/27 season.

Preparations for the division’s 24 teams are now in full swing with pre-season friendlies are soon to begin, new shirts being revealed and new signings being brought in.

INS AND OUTS AHEAD OF 26/27 SEASON

Relegated from the National League – Brackley Town, Morecambe

Promoted from the Northern Premier League Premier Division – Hebburn Town, Hednesford Town

Promoted from the Southern League Premier Division Central – Harborough Town, Spalding United

Promoted to the National League – AFC Fylde, Kidderminster Harriers

Relegated to the Northern Premier League Premier Division – Curzon Ashton, Alfreton Town

Relegated to the Southern League Premier Division Central – Peterborough Sports, Leamington

The 2026–27 National League North season, known as the Enterprise National League for sponsorship reasons, is the 12th season under the title of the National League, the 23rd season consisting of three divisions, and the 48th season overall.

2022/23 saw the expansion of North and South divisions to 24 teams apiece, a planned increase which was originally scheduled in 2019. However, after the curtailment and voidance of the 2020–21 season for both North and South, promotion and relegation were postponed. For those reasons, the implementation of expansion plans was delayed.

Morecambe boss Adam Lakeland responded after being asked at a fans’ forum, as per Lancashire Post: “I think there’ll be a few [who will stand out], You’ve got South Shields, a very good team, big budget, almost won the league this year.

“You’ve got Macclesfield, big club, big budget, but then you’ve got the likes of Hednesford who have come up, they have got a lot of money behind them, the same with Harborough.

“Brackley have come down, who won the league two years ago, and there’s others I’ve not even touched on – Buxton, Scarborough, who got in the play-offs this year, Chester, with a new manager and new impetus.

“It’s going to be really difficult but we’re probably the biggest club in that league so I’d expect us to be right up there and we should be right up there.

“That comes with pressure but that’s the job and that’s got to be the aim, so there’s going to be many good teams in there but we’re going to be one of them.”

The bookies odds regarding who feature as the outright favourites is yet to emerge.

While the Morecambe manager reveals who he thinks are contenders to win 26/27 National League North, here’s what the fans are saying…

Glyn Bradshaw: South Shields, Macclesfield and Brackley top three next season.

David Barber: Chester at this level is shocking. I went to college there in the early 90s when they were in the football league – their decline is really sad.

Tom Molloy: Tough league. 7 former FL clubs / 24 with only 1 automatic promotion

Paul Checkley: That’s a really strong division.

John L Trish: I think Harborough will have a difficult first season in this league. No easy teams.

Mark Painting: Hednesford turning fully professional to win the league

Sam Dilks: Bedford Worksop Oxford City and Hereford. My first glimpse picks to go down. Macclesfield vs South Shields for the title

Steve Owen Thomas: Sam Dilks we Hereford are definitely hoping for a better season can’t see Oxford being in relegation battle either after going f/t can see them getting a decent squad together

Sam Dilks: Steve Owen Thomas I didn’t know Oxford went full time, I just thought after years of all the travel, it might be a season too far. And also Kings Lynn are full time and nearly went. Maybe a Spalding instead then?

Steve Owen Thomas: Sam Dilks could be anyone tbh, we finished just outside the playoffs season before, some weird results always happen in this league, we beat South Shields when they were 🔝 and us already looked doomed now both in same league again

A-d Watson: Hednesford are going to win it.

Stephen Cartwright: Some real underdogs to challenge in this league I reckon one team will surprise a fair few people.

@NathanSSFCcat2: My early National league north predictions. Thoughts everyone? The relegated teams have got to be favourites plus all money macclesfield got from FA cup has made them be able to afford better players as they’re already signed 5 new players. #SSFC @SouthShieldsFC #NLN⚓️
1. Morecambe 96 Points
2. Macclesfield 94 points
3. Brackley town 87 points
4. South shields 84 points
5. Chester 76 points
6. Scarborough 73 points
7. Telford 68 points
8. Buxton 67 points
9. Chorley 64 points
10. Marine 63 points
11. Spalding 61 points
12. Spennymoor 59 points
13. Darlington 59 points
14. Merthyr 58 points
15. Worksop 56 points
16. Oxford city 53 points
17. Kings lynn 52 points
18. Hednesford 50 points
19. Bedford 50 points
20. . Radcliffe 45 points
21. Southport 43 points
22. Hereford 42 points
23. Hebburn 37 points
24. Harborough 30 points

@kiddyhlee77: Not a chance Hereford will struggle this season.

@LiamKHFC: Can’t see Hereford struggling next season to be honest

@smudger2015: Hereford will be higher than the bottom 3 this season coming up trust me

@daniel14f1: Hednesford have gone ft and are big spenders so I expect them to be the dark horses. Top 7 finish.

@MattBarrick5: Personally do think Macclesfield will just edge it

@brianfoster4274: I don’t think Brackley will do as well as top 4. If there is 1 team I’d want to get relegated, then it’s Kings Lynn after floodgate.

@JoeShieldsMag1: Macclesfield look favourites currently especially with signings like Dibble.