2020 Season Preview: Bray Wanderers

Manager: Gary Cronin.

Stadium: Carlisle Grounds.

Players in: Aaron Barry (Cork City), Tristan Noack-Hofmann (Longford Town), Gary Shaw (St Pats) John Ross Wilson (Shelbourne) Jack Watson (Cabinteely) Ryan Graydon (Bohemians).

Players out: Dylan McGlade (Blyth Spartans - Cork City), Hugh Douglas (Drogheda United), Gabriel Sava (Warrenpoint Town), Dean Williams (Shamrock Rovers), Dylan Thornton (Cabinteely).

Extratime.ie Key Man: Paul Keegan

The vastly experienced Paul Keegan will be vital in the Seagulls mission to get back to the top tier of Irish football.

Making 23 appearances last season, he has proved his fitness is not going to be a problem.

His experience in the League of Ireland, along with his six-year stint with Doncaster Rovers will provide Bray with a steady head when things may go against them in a competitive league.

If Bray are going to have a good season, then so will their captain.

Extratime.ie One to Watch: Gary Shaw

Returning to the club he began with back in 2011, Shaw could be the man to fire Bray Wanderers back to the Premier Division at the second time of asking.

His experience will be key and with the departures of Dean Williams and Dylan McGlade his performances may prove crucial in their promotion push.

Although not a prolific goalscorer (one goal last season for St Pats) he does provide as a good target man and hold up player to bring others into the game.

It’s a big season for the 27-year-old, and Bray fans will be hoping it is a good one.

How they did last season:

League: 5^th

Not many people believed Bray would have come straight back up after what happened the previous season, with their off-field problems and subsequent relegation.

But the Seagulls surprised a few and made a bit of charge for the play-off places, only missing out to a superb Cabinteely side by seven points.

It was definitely a season where the ship was settled, and they will be looking to go one further this season.

FAI Cup: First Round (Losing to St Patricks Athletic 2-1)

EA Sports Cup: Quarter-final stage (Losing 1-0 to Waterford)

What to expect this season:

After just missing out on the play-offs last season the aim for Bray will be to snatch one of those places this season. With the inclusion of Shamrock Rovers II it may be easier to do so.

Even with their off-field problems behind them and a more optimistic feeling around, talk of automatic promotion has been quiet around the Carlisle Grounds, with a lot of high-profile departures in the off season, not least their centre back Hugh Douglas who has joined their First Division rivals Drogheda United.

Lack of goals may also be a concern with Dean Williams returning to his parent club Shamrock Rovers and Dylan McGlade now playing with Cork City (although he left Bray to join Blyth Spartans).

A play-off place is definitely a realistic target but should the Seagulls gain momentum they may be the dark horses in a very competitive league to gain automatic promotion and lift the First Division title.

First game: Cabinteely (away).

Title Odds: 9/2.