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Luton are 9/4 favourites to win the Conference with the first bookmakers lists now released. Grimsby are 7/1 second favourites, with Darlington 12/1 alongside Rushden and York. Newport are 14/1 ahead of Welsh rivals Wrexham, who are a best priced 20/1 along with Kidderminster and the free spending Fleetwood. Neither Salisbury nor Forest Green are listed in any of the odds with Salisbury appealing against their expulsion.
Northampton manager Ian Sampson has named former Premier League starlet Francis Jeffers as a transfer target. The one-time Everton hotshot cost Arsenal £8million nine years ago, but has been a bit-player in his three years at Sheff Weds. Oxford will re-enter the League with a new sponsor after their shirt sponsors pulled out after ten years.
Barnet have named Michael Stone as their new first team coach, but they are yet to appoint a manager. Stone, 31, was no.2 at Rushden but failed to agree terms on a new deal there. He has had spells in youth coaching with Spurs and Nottm Forest. The Bees have confirmed the release of midfielder Nicky Deverdics after two seasons at Underhill. Barrow manager Dave Bayliss has told the press that Port Vale offered keeper Stuart Tomlinson less money than the Conference side did, but the player opted for League football.
