Torquay United:
In Gary Johnson, Torquay United have the only manager of the six sides involved in the Vanarama National League Play-offs to have guided a team to promotion through the Play-offs.
Johnson famously led Yeovil Town to victory in the League One Play-offs in the 2012-13 season, and was a beaten finalist in the Championship Play-off final with Bristol City in 2008.
His Gulls’ side go into the end of season showdown as the highest placed club from the league campaign, and also on the back of a 13-match unbeaten run. In addition to this, Johnson is also hoping to have experienced striker Danny Wright and midfielder Ben Whitfield available again after injury.
Should the Gulls triumph in the Play-offs, it will be Johnson’s third promotion from National League level, alongside his previous promotions with Yeovil and Cheltenham. It would also see him jointly hold the record for the most promotions from the division with John Still.
Current form (last six): W, W, D, D, D, D
Key man: Connor Lemonheigh-Evans
Stockport County:
The Stockport County board’s decision to replace Jim Gannon with Brighton and Hove Albion Under-23’s manager Simon Rusk could turn out to be a masterstroke if he can lead the Hatters to a second promotion in three years (Stockport were National League North champions in the 2018-19 season, which also saw United win National League South).
Stockport were the pre-season favourites for automatic promotion - and the signing of Irish striker Paddy Madden from Fleetwood Town could help tip the balance in their favour in the Play-offs.
Current form (last six): W, W, D, D, D, W
Key man: Paddy Madden
Hartlepool United:
Hartlepool manager Dave Challinor will be looking to go one better than he managed with AFC Fylde in the 2018-19 season, when the Coasters were beaten in the National League Play-off by Salford City. Should the Pools win the Play-offs, it will mark a return to the Football League for the Pools for the first time since they were relegated from League Two at the end of the 2016-17 campaign.
Current form (last six): W, L, L, W, L, W
Key man: Luke Armstrong
Notts County:
Last season’s beaten Play-off finalists Notts County replaced manager Neal Ardley with Ian Burchnall in March have reached the Play-offs again this season – despite losing to Bromley on the final day. They will be hoping to go one better this time and a return to the Football League just two years after they were relegated from League Two would represent a fine achievement for the Magpies. It would also be their first Play-off success since they beat Brighton 3-1 to win promotion to the ‘old’ First Division in the 1990-91 season under Neil Warnock.
Current form (last six): W, W, D, W, W, L
Key man: Michael Doyle
Chesterfield:
Since his arrival as manager from Gloucester City as successor to John Pemberton, James Rowe has transformed the fortunes of the Spireites. Chesterfield sealed their place in the Play-offs with a final day win over FC Halifax Town. A defeat against the Shaymen would have seen the Spireites miss out altogether.
Rowe, who was assistant manager of Aldershot Town when they reached the Play-offs in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons, has made a number of shrewd acquisitions following his appointment at the Technique Stadium. The pick of them is arguably his namesake Danny Rowe, who was a prolific scorer with AFC Fylde before spells in the Football League with Oldham Athletic and Bradford City. A number of players also followed him from Gloucester, including centre back Gavin Gunning and striker Akwasi Asante, who is currently injured.
Current form (last six): L, W, W, D, W, W
Key man: Danny Rowe
Bromley:
A 1-0 win over Notts County on the final day of the regular campaign saw Bromley seal the final Play-off spot at the expense of Wrexham.
A few eyebrows were raised when former Arsenal goalkeeper coach Andy Woodman was appointed as successor to Neil Smith, but Woodman has helped to ensure that the Ravens are solid and organised. It will also be the second time that a member of the Woodman has contested the Play-offs after Woodman’s son Freddie was part of the Swansea City side that lost to Brentford in the Championship Play-off final.
With the National League’s leading scorer Michael Cheek in their ranks, alongside former Millwall, Ipswich and Bolton midfielder Liam Trotter, Bromley could be a match for anyone.
Current form (last six): W, D, W, D, W, W
Key man: Michael Cheek
