Your guide to Town's League One rivals

Aug 5 2005 By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

BARNSLEY

Manager: Andy Ritchie

Last season: 13th

Nickname: The Tykes

Ground: Oakwell

Capacity: 23,009

Tickets: £7-22

In: Richard Kell (Scunthorpe - free), Paul Hayes (Scunthorpe - free), Brian Howard (Swindon - free), Daniel Nardiello (Manchester United - free)

Out: Mark Stallard (Shrewsbury - free), Michael Boulding, Tom Baker, TomWilliams (Gillingham - free)

Key man: Chris Shuker

Chances: The Tykes have made a steady improvement since Ritchie's appointment in March, losing just two of their 11 games under his stewardship. The capture of Paul Hayes from Scunthorpe should provide the goals following Michael Chopra's return to Newcastle and if they can keep hold of Chris Shuker, the Oakwell outfit could be an outside bet.

BLACKPOOL

Manager: Colin Hendry

Last season: 16th

Nickname: The Seasiders

Ground: Bloomfield Road

Capacity: 11,295

Tickets: £6.50-19.50

In: Scott Vernon (Oldham - free), John Doolan (Doncaster - free), Rory Prendergast (Accrington - undisclosed fee)

Out: Richie Wellens (Oldham - free), Martin Bullock (Macclesfield - free), Zarko Grabovac, Steven Boyack, Leam Richardson, Paul Edwards and Rob Clare

Key man: Scott Vernon

Chances: Colin Hendry's side struggled for consistency last season . The permanent arrival of Scott Vernon following last season's impressive loan spell will be a boost, although the play-offs will prove to be beyond them.

BOURNEMOUTH

Manager: Sean O'Driscoll

Last season: 8th

Nickname: The Cherries

Ground: Fitness First Stadium

Capacity: 9,600

Tickets: £5-26

In: Stephen Cooke (Aston Villa - free)

Out: Kevin Scriven, Wade Elliott (Burnley - free), Garreth O'Connor (Burnley - free), Alan Connell (Torquay -undisclosed fee)

Key man: James Hayter

Chances: The Cherries suffered heartbreak by missing out on the play-offs on the final day of last season and their chances for next term look bleak. The departure of star duo Wade Elliott and Garreth O'Connor to Burnley will be a major blow to their promotion hopes. James Hayter should again be amongst the goals but Sean O'Driscoll's side may struggle to replicate last season's success.

BRADFORD CITY

Manager: Colin Todd

Last season: 11th

Nickname: The Bantams

Ground: Valley Parade

Capacity: 25,136

Tickets: £3-20

In: Danny Cadamarteri (Sheffield United - free), Russell Howarth (Tranmere - free), Bobby Petta (Darlington - free), Damion Stewart (Harbour View FC - free)

Out: Michael Symes (Macclesfield - loan), Paul Henderson (Leicester - free)

Key man: Dean Windass

Chances: Colin Todd has steadied the ship since arriving last summer and is known as a shrewd man-manager. The Bantams struggled for consistency last season but showed enough promise to suggest they could be in the play-off hunt come April. Danny Cadamarteri's return should provide aboost .

BRENTFORD

Manager: Martin Allen

Last season: 4th

Nickname: The Bees

Ground: Griffin Park

Capacity: 12,763

Tickets: £3-17

In: Lloyd Owusu (Reading - free), Ricky Newman (Reading - free), DJ Campbell (Yeading - free), Sam Tillen (Chelsea - free), Oli Skulason (Arsenal - free), Paul Brooker (Reading - free)

Out: Matt Harrold (Yeovil - undisclosed), Jamie Lawrence, Deon Burton, (Rotherham - free), John Salako, Stephen Hunt (Reading - free), Chris Hargreaves (Oxford - free), Scott Fitzgerald, Stewart Talbot (Boston - free), Andy Myers

Key man: Sam Sodje

Chances: Martin Allen's side raised eyebrows by reaching the play-offs but ran out of steam against Sheffield Wednesday in the semi-finals. A string of players heading for the exit door over summer, but Allen is regarded as one of the best young managers in the league and few would bet against him.