Every club enjoys a few seasons which are, retrospectively, recorded as a monumental moment in their history.
It could be a spectacular cup run, an against-the-odds title victory or even a gritty battle to avoid relegation.
These are the kind of seasons which live long in the memory of the fans and help to define the very fabric of a club.
To mark such achievements, we have created a Team of the Year award which commemorates one special group of players, who have gone that extra mile to deservedly take home the plaudits.
Sponsored by Red Insure, the award will be handed out at our annual National Game Awards at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge Stadium on May 14 – and we need your help in deciding who should walk away with the top gong.
Last year, Hereford FC were chosen after Peter Beadle’s side secured a return to Step 2 after achieving their third straight promotion, taking the Southern League Premier Division by complete storm in the process.
The Bulls raced to 113 points, scoring 111 goals in their 43 games, to win a hotly-contested title race against the likes of King’s Lynn, Slough, Kettering and Weymouth – not to mention winning the Herefordshire County Cup for a third year on the trot.
This year we have the privilege of being able to choose from a plethora of teams from across the pyramid.
Leyton Orient, thanks to a storming season in the National League and the FA Trophy where they will play AFC Fylde in the final at Wembley, are an obvious choice, but look a little further down the line and there a number of other contenders.
In Step 2, Jim Gannon’s Stockport County have served up a feast of excitement for the Edgeley Park faithful, achieving long-awaited success in both league and cup.
Or how about Dorking Wanderers, who cantered to the Bostik Premier League title this season to make it a remarkable 13 promotions in just 19 full seasons as a senior club?
Down in Step 5, it is easy to make the case for Dave Anderson’s Chertsey Town, who have fought against the odds to reach the FA Vase final next month, while easing to the Combined Counties Premier Division title. Or there’s their Wembley opponents Cray Valley PM, who have also excelled.
So, as you can see, this is why we need your help!
If your team has surpassed all expectations this season – or you think a rival deserves the NGA gong – then get in touch and cast your vote so we can honour another worthy winner of this special award.
How to vote:
- Email your vote to [email protected]
- Tweet your vote using the hashtag #NGAVOTES
- Send your vote via post to The Non-League Paper, Tuition House, St George’s Rd, Wimbledon, SW19 4EU
