In the third of our six-part feature, The Chronicle looks at how preparations for the 2014-15 season are going for Dover Athletic, Eastleigh, FC Halifax Town and Forest Green Rovers.

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Dover Athletic

Manager: Chris Kinnear

Incomings: Christian Nanetti (Havant and Waterlooville), Matt Lock (Chelmsford), Nicky Deverdics (TB Tvoroyri), Stefan Payne (Hornchurch), Tyrone Sterling (Dartford)

Having edged past Ebbsfleet United in the Conference South play-offs, the Whites are back in non-league's top tier for the first time since 2002. Experienced boss Chris Kinnear has proven himself adept at this level in the past, although his last crack came some 10 years ago with Margate.

Dover will be a short price to go straight back down and the manager has recognised the need to strengthen with five new arrivals to date and a few more expected to follow before August 9.

Italian winger Christian Nanetti is an interesting addition, midfielder Nicky Deverdics has Football League experience and Tyrone Sterling was in the Conference Premier last term, albeit in a porous Dartford defence.

Goalscoring might be an issue because Nathan Elder isn't the most prolific so much will depend on Stefan Payne, who hit 31 goals in the Ryman League last season, maintaining that form in a higher league.

Moses Ademola (Bromley) turned down a new contract at The Crabble, but Kinnear will be pleased mainstays Barry Cogan and Craig Stone remain along with England C keeper Mitch Walker after League One side Crawley failed to meet his valuation.

Eastleigh

Manager: Richard Hill

Incomings: Ben Wright (Salisbury), Craig Stanley (Aldershot), Jack Midson (Wimbledon), James Constable (Oxford), Paul Reid (Northampton)

Eastleigh won the Conference South title last term and the ambitious Hampshire club are in no mood to make up the numbers this season.

Cash-rich owner Stewart Donald wants to bring the Silverlake Stadium up to Football League standard but that has not impacted on the financial backing given to manager Richard Hill.

Although the Spitfires boss has kept faith with the core of his title-winning squad, Hill has been able to bring in some impressive looking signings too.

James Constable has scored goals for fun at this level before and fellow new arrival Jack Midson will provide a good foil for the ex-Oxford United man while experienced pair Craig Stanley and Paul Reid add know-how and leadership.

Popular captain Glen Southam (Chelmsford) has moved on but Hill will be able call on familiar names like Ben Strevens, Dean Beckwith, Stuart Fleetwood and Chris Todd: all boasting plenty of Football League experience

Donald and his manager will be content with a season of consolidation but if Constable and Midson can forge a good partnership then don't rule out Eastleigh pushing on even more.

FC Halifax Town

Manager: Neil Aspin

Incomings: James Bolton (Macclesfield), Kevin Roberts (Cambridge), Richard Peniket (Tamworth), Ross Dyer (Mansfield), Scott Boden (Macclesfield), Steve Williams (Macclesfield)

How do you replace the most dangerous centre forward in the Conference Premier? That's the challenge facing Halifax boss Neil Aspin and we won't know how his response rates until a few months into the new season.

Lee Gregory (Millwall) netted 31 times last term and the manager has brought in three new strikers to help fill the void in Richard Peniket, Ross Dyer and Scott Boden.

Halifax impressed en route to the play-offs last season before coming up short against Cambridge United over two legs. Aspin has kept faith with his squad, adding two defensive reinforcements and sealing a permanent deal for James Bolton.

Strong centre back Steve Williams is a good addition and ex-Chester City defender or midfielder Kevin Roberts brings valuable versatility and experience of winning promotion.

Aspin has done a fine job turning the Shaymen into a competitive force and will be hoping for further improvement this season, although that won't be easy without the man who has been such a big part of the club's success over the past few seasons.

Chester FC sub Jamie Menagh celebrates with the fans after scoring a late winner against FC Halifax Town last season
Chester FC sub Jamie Menagh celebrates with the fans after scoring a late winner against FC Halifax Town last season

Forest Green Rovers

Manager: Ady Pennock

Incomings: Clovis Kamdjo (Salisbury), David Pipe (Newport), Elliott Frear (Salisbury), James Jennings (Mansfield), Jon Parkin (Fleetwood), Kurtis Guthrie (Welling), Robbie Sinclair (Salisbury), Sam Wedgbury (Stevenage), Steve Arnold (Stevenage).

Another season, another influx of eye-catching additions and another campaign that will begin with Rovers among the promotion favourites.

Millionaire owner Dale Vince remains determined to take the Gloucestershire club into the Football League, and has again thrown his financial weight behind his manager.

Ady Pennock has assembled a strong squad on paper but there does seem to be a little confusion in his recruitment. Bringing in big Jon Parkin to partner Lee Hughes would suggest a more direct approach, but that looks out of place with the signings of the gifted Elliott Frear and Robbie Sinclair.

Rovers don't look as strong defensively as in previous seasons but with a wealth attacking options at his disposal - including the outstanding James Norwood - Pennock might not be too concerned.

Pennock's big task will be finding more consistency and resilience, because without that Forest Green will struggle to become genuine title challengers.

Although there have been some exciting signings, there have been losses too with last season's captain Jared Hodgkiss (Kidderminster), Yan Klukowski (Newport) and Matty Taylor (Bristol Rovers) moving on and Jamie Turley rejecting a new deal.

Action from Chester FC v Forest Green Rovers last season
Action from Chester FC v Forest Green Rovers last season