Are Stevenage Borough finally going to deliver the goods and win the Blue Square Premier League this season? Ever since the men from Broadhall Way won the Conference back in 1996 it has been a series of hard luck stories.
They were denied promotion due to their stadium not meeting the ground requirements for the Football League and they have threatened to take that step up on numerous occasions since. However, it has never quite materialised and Graham Westley has been installed as manager for the second time in order to try and secure their Holy Grail.
The ante has been raised after Conference clubs voted at this month's annual meeting in favour of a proposal to ease the limits on the approved player budget (APB), which clubs have to submit before and, if necessary, during the course of a season.
It opens the door for clubs to spend more money on players, and should help the chances of the so-called 'big-hitters' Oxford, Stevenage, Torquay, Wrexham and Rushden to achieve promotion to the Football League. Stevenage are one of five clubs the Blue Square punters are betting heavily on and they are unique as they are the only club amongst the favourites who has yet to taste life in the Football League.
Nevertheless, Westley insists there time has come and he will adopt a different approach. He said: "I feel as though there is some unfinished business at the club from my point of view. The fans at Stevenage want to see some entertaining football. Before with me, it was all about winning, winning, winning and winning.
"Now I want to play entertaining and exciting football. I will have to do my talking with my teams out on the pitch and hopefully they will win. Hopefully this will be the best team I've ever put together. Everyone knows the potential here and the fact that the club has won the league before shows what can be achieved here."
However, clubs such as Rushden and Diamonds, who will be working under the tutelage of Dagenham & Redbridge legend Gary Hill, are confident they can make a return to the Football League. And they certainly have the punch to achieve that goal with captain Curtis Woodhouse also pursuing a professional boxing career and honing in on a shot at the British Welterweight title.
"Looking at the squad, staff and facilities here we should be promoted this season," said Woodhouse. "I'm looking forward to it and any time you get a chance to captain a team is always an honour. I think I only missed two games last year through my professional boxing career so that shouldn't be too much of a problem."
Brian Little has the pedigree to return Wrexham immediately to the Football League as he achieved the same success with Darlington. However, that was in the last century and the Red Dragons face a tough task to bounce back at the first attempt. Nevertheless, assistant manager Martin Foyle has seen promising signs that the gloom that descended over the Racecourse Ground last term has finally lifted.
"Pre-season has gone well against some good opposition," said Foyle today. "We have not embarrassed ourselves and kept a few clean sheets, although we have got a bit of forward work to do. There is buoyancy around the camp and everyone is positive. But on August 9, the players have to deliver - talk is cheap."
Odds
Stevenage Borough 11/2
Torquay United 6/1
Wrexham 7/1
Oxford United 9/1
Rushden and Diamonds 9/1
Mansfield Town 10/1
Cambridge United 11/1
