As we all know, the National League is a tough competition. It’s not for the weak of heart or mind. For all the teams that thrive in the league, there have to be teams that are predicted to struggle.
Here are a few teams that might find life difficult in the National League in the 2025/26 season:
Wealdstone
Their status as one of the relegation favourites is not surprising, as they have struggled in all five of their campaigns in the National League since they won promotion back to the fifth-tier in season 2020/21.
Last season, they survived by the skin of their teeth, finishing just a point above the relegation zone. It was Wealdstone’s closest call with the drop in recent seasons. Many expect it to be another difficult season for the semi-pro outfit from the English capital.
Truro City
The Tinners became the first Cornish club to earn promotion to the National League last season. After the promotion was earned, City also became the first club from their area to become a full-time professional club.
It’s always tricky to predict how a newly promoted team will fare in a different league. For Truro, that sense of the unfamiliar is even more prevalent because they have never been in this position before.
One of Truro’s main assets as they approach the historic campaign could be manager John Askey, who has not only managed in the National League but in the EFL.
The fact that they built up such positive momentum by winning promotion could be a big positive too. Only time will tell how the newcomers will fare in the English fifth tier.
Braintree Town
Town finished 17th place in the National League table in season 2024/25, four points clear of the relegation zone. Survival was always likely the team’s main priority after they won promotion from the National League South in the previous campaign.
They may have survived the drop in their first season back in the fifth tier, but there are question marks over the club’s resources and the depth of their squad.
They have managed to bring in two players, forwards Lewis Walker from Woking and Freddie Hockey from National League South Chelmsford. However, in contrast, defenders Jamal Fyfield and Louie Annesley have departed.
Another season of consolidation in the fifth tier will likely be the club’s primary objective in season 2025/26.
Morecambe
The north west outfit seems to be on a downward spiral of late. They suffered relegation from League One in season 2022/23, only to suffer the same fate in League Two in season 2024/25 after two seasons in the fourth tier.
The Shrimps haven’t featured in the National League since the 2006/07 season when they won promotion to League Two. Dropping down to the fifth tier could well be a big shock to the system.
Unfortunately, financial issues in recent years have hampered the team’s chances of success. The uncertainty surrounding the club’s future has only added to their chances of dropping further down the English football pyramid.
The club saw something of a mass exodus of players over the summer. Lee Angol, Adam Lewis, Ryan Schofield, and David Tutonda were among the players who have left the club. Their only new arrival of the summer is striker Jack Stretton, who arrived on a free transfer from Burton Albion.
Boreham Wood
Like Morecambe and Truro, Boreham Wood will be newcomers to the National League next season. However, the Wood are highly familiar with the fifth-tier, as they were only in the National League South for one season before returning via winning the play-offs. They had previously been regulars in the fifth tier of the English game.
It is difficult to tell how the Hertfordshire outfit will do in the fifth tier, but many are predicting that they could once again struggle with life in the National League.
Boreham Wood have been active in the transfer market, bringing in Aaron Henry, Joe Newton, Junior Dixon and Jeff King. However, a raft of players has also departed, including the likes of Tyrone Marsh and Kwesi Appiah.
They must maintain the positive momentum of winning promotion, if not, then they could well be fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table.
Matt Tomiak
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