Ryan Walmsley rounds up an exciting season in the non-league’s top two tiers…
Martin Allen’s Barnet will be playing League Two football next season after the Bees were crowned champions of England’s fifth tier on Sunday.
Barnet won six of their last nine fixtures as they beat out a fierce title challenge from Bristol Rovers who finished a point behind the champions.
The Bees boasted the league’s best attack, scoring 94 goals in 46 games, with prolific striker John Akinde netting 31 times and surpassing John Bull’s club record haul for goals in a season.
Barnet occupied top spot in the Conference Premier for the majority of the season – the Bees’ only spells not at the top of the league came in February and March after an indifferent start to 2015 – and a 2-0 win over Gateshead at the Hive sealed a first-place finish for the Bees.
Elsewhere in London, Welling retained their place in the Conference Premier for next season – but only just. The Wings fell to a defeat on the final day but so did Alfreton, meaning Welling stayed up due to a superior goal difference.
Sitting safely in mid-table during December following manager Jamie Day’s departure for local rivals Ebbsfleet, his replacement, Jody Brown, led his team to just one point from his nine-game reign before he was sacked.
Loui Fazakerley took over as player-manager with the Wings loitering in the relegation zone, but he managed to guide Welling to safety with survival confirmed at the final whistle on Saturday.
Dartford’s relegation had already been confirmed before the final day’s proceedings, a demotion that ended their three-season-stay in the Conference Premier.
The Darts had only managed to stay in non-league’s top flight after being given a reprieve due to Hereford United’s and Salisbury City’s financial difficulties last season, but Dartford failed to take advantage of others’ bad fortune, finishing in the relegation zone for the second consecutive year.
A memorable run in the FA Cup that ended in the second round was the highlight in a disappointing season for the Kent club.
In the Conference South, Bromley topped England’s sixth tier meaning they will play in the Conference Premier for the first time in their history.
The Lillywhites’ promotion was confirmed with one game to go following a 3-0 home hammering of Weston Super Mare, so Saturday’s final day defeat away at Gosport Borough didn’t dampened the mood.
Arguably Bromley’s best and most successful season in their 123-year history, the Fortress Stadium will play host to the likes of Tranmere Rovers as the Ravens look to build upon their record-breaking season.
Whilst Concord Rangers didn’t quite reach the play-offs, the Beachboys will be proud of their efforts during the 2014-15 season.
The Canvey Island-based club won the Essex Senior Cup for the second consecutive year after demolishing Essex rivals Billericay 5-0 in the final and also managed to reach the first round proper of the FA Cup.
Despite having one of the smallest budgets in the league, an impressive 14 game unbeaten run saw Concord force themselves in contention for the Conference South play-off places but an end-of-season wobble saw Rangers finish in a credible seventh place – the Beachboys’ highest ever finish on the football pyramid.
Ebbsfleet, however, had a tumultuous season. Fleet changed managers on four occasions and saw over a dozen players arriving and departing at Stonebridge Road in January.
But with ground developments starting over the summer and an ambitious Kuwaiti owner willing to open his chequebook, Ebbsfleet will be one of the favourites for promotion next season.