National League News – May

BBC Sport follows the latest National League news, including managerial announcements, new signings and contract extensions.

Check out the gossip page for the latest rumours, use our transfers page to follow the signings made by English Football League clubs or read more National League news from April.

May 17

Barnett have signed former Dagenham and Redbridge centre-back Nik Tavares on a two-year deal.

The 25-year-old, who is a former Croatia youth international, played 31 times for the Daggers last season and also had spells at Wealdstone and Crystal Palace.

May 16

Wealdstone Midfielder Max Kretzschmar has signed a new one-year contract to stay at the club for next season.

Kretzschmar, 30, has made 68 appearances for the Stones since being signed two years ago, scoring 14 goals.

Barnett Defenders Jerome Okimo and Ben Coker have signed new one-year contracts.

Okimo, 35, has been the club’s player-coach for the past two seasons, while Coker, 34, joined at the start of the 2023-24 season from Solihull Moors.

Was long lasting Colchester and Southend quarterback John White announced his retirement.

The 37-year-old has made more than 600 appearances in his 22-year career, playing more than 200 times for each club in nearly ten-year spells that included winning promotion with both.

White joined National League South Braintree two seasons ago, becoming assistant manager this term.

May 15

Aldershot have signed attacking midfielder Haydon Vaughan, 18, on a two-year deal from Bracknell Town.

Hartlepool United Left-back David Ferguson, 29, has signed a new contract to stay at the club for a fifth season.

Ferguson has made 193 appearances for Pools since joining from York City in 2020.

awakening have signed defender Ben Wynter from National League club Barnet.

The 26-year-old scored five goals in 50 appearances for the Bees, who finished second in the league but lost to Solihull Moors in the promotion semi-finals this season.

Barnett they signed winger Jermaine Francis for two years.

The 22-year-old spent last season at Chelmsford City, where he scored 10 goals.

Altrincham have signed winger Lucas Weaver, 22, who scored 42 goals in 43 appearances for Colne in the North West Counties Premier Division last season.

May 14

Barnett have signed former Woking striker Rhys Browne, 28, on a two-year deal.

Altrincham director of football Rob Esteva has announced he is stepping down this summer due to other commitments.

Kidderminster Harriers Midfielder Ashley Hemmings has agreed a new deal with the club after scoring 13 goals in 45 appearances in 2023-24.

May 13

Eastleigh have signed centre-back Luis Fernandez, 22, for an undisclosed fee from Hampton & Richmond of the National League South.

May 10

Wealdstone named Matt Taylor as their new manager.

The former Swindon, Walsall and Shrewsbury boss joins alongside assistant Paul Hughes, while first-team coach Sam Cox, who guided the Stones to safety last season after David Noble was sacked, has left the club.

Meanwhile, the Stones are in talks with Max Kretzschmar, Dillon De Silva, Jaydn Mundle-Smith, Tarryn Allarakhia, Alex Dyer, Dominic Hutchinson and Declan Phillips over new deals.

Jack Cook, Mason Barrett, Kallum Sesay, Luke Dreher and Trae Cook-Appiah joined new signing Deon Woodman in signing deals, while the club, who finished 16th in the National League this season, took up the option to to extend Charlie’s contracts. Barker and Micah Obero for another 12 months.

Meanwhile, Jaiden Bartolo, Manny Duku, Corie Andrews, Marcus Dewhurst and Nathan Ferguson have left Grosvenor Vale.

May 3rd

Halifax Town FC have announced that Rob Harker, Tom Wilson, Tom Scott and Luke Summerfield will leave the club when their contracts expire at the end of the season.

Halifax finished seventh in the National League, losing in the play-off qualifying round to runners-up Solihull Moors.

Scunthorpe United appointed first team coach Andy Butler as their new manager.

The former Iron player also managed Doncaster Rovers Belles and had a spell in charge of Rovers’ men’s side.

He replaces Jimmy Dean after the club lost to Lincolnshire rivals Boston United in the National League North play-offs.

Dagenham and Redbridge they released six players after the conclusion of the National League season.

Leaving the club are Josh Hare, Lewis Page, David Longe-King, Sydney Ibie, Omar Mussa and Rohat Matyar.

New deal talks continue with Elliot Johnson, Nik Tavares, Inih Effiong, Josh Strizovic and Conor Lawless.

Dorking Wanderers they released eight players after relegation from the National League.

Cameron Black, Harrison Male, Harry Ottaway, Haydn Hollis, Jack Jebb, Matt Everitt, Slav Huk and Tom Blair will all leave.

Meanwhile, Barry Fuller, Callum Kennedy, Dan Gallagher, Isaac Philpot, Jason Prior, Jimmy Muitt, Luke Moore, Seb Bowerman have all agreed new deals for next season, while 12 players remain under contract.

May 2

National League North outfit Scunthorpe have parted ways with boss Jimmy Dean after losing in the play-offs to Lincolnshire rivals Boston.

The Iron finished second behind league winners Tamworth but were beaten on penalties by the Pilgrims last week.

Assistant Chris Plummer and strength and conditioning coach Ant Coombe have also been relieved of their duties.

“Saying goodbye to Jimmy, Chris and Ant is undoubtedly one of our hardest decisions since taking over the club and it’s a decision we’ve made with a very heavy heart,” he said. owner Michelle Harness on the club’s website.

Center back Cian Harries will leave The town of Aldershot after refusing the offer of a new contract.

The 27-year-old made 48 appearances for the Shots after signing last summer.

1st May

City of York Striker Lenell John-Lewis has signed a new one-year contract.

The 34-year-old helped the Ministers win promotion back to the National League for the 2022-23 season and has scored 10 goals in 45 appearances in all competitions this campaign.