The season came to an end for me after 121 games attended, having seen 387 goals and having visited 59 new grounds. It’s been a fantastic season, which started with visits to games in the Women’s Euros, took me to Belgium, to see my first overseas game in 24 years and gave me my first taste of Premier League football for the first time in ten years, as well of course, as my habitual visits to see my team, Birmingham City play at St Andrews Stadium.

Obviously , my blog primarily focuses on the non-league sector and as my regular readers will know, the majority of games I watch are in the Southern Counties East Football League (Premier Division and Division 1), the Isthmian League South East and Isthmian Premier League, as well as the occasional foray north to watch the Hellenic League. I have also seen games this season in the National League and National League South, the Kent County League, West Kent Sunday Football League, Southern Combination and Isthmian League North.

Wherever I have gone, I have without exception, found clubs sitting in the heart of their local communities, being kept alive by the dedication of volunteers and supporters, who will turn out on a wet, grey, Saturday afternoon or on a freezing cold midweek evening, to cheer on their team. I have seen very little by the way of anti-social behaviour and instead have had many friendly conversations with fellow supporters, fans and groundhoppers. The non league game is very much alive and kicking in the UK and I can say, without reservation, that I have enjoyed every second of my travels and the games seen in 2022-23.

So to my “virtual” awards, based on the clubs I’ve visited this season and the teams and players I have had the privilege to watch. I’ll begin with the “Ground of the Season” award, given to the ground with the warmest welcome and the best atmosphere for watching football this season. My award here goes to Whitehawk FC, for the facilities, atmosphere and welcome provided at the Enclosed Ground on my visit there, back in February, to watch Sheppey United play the home side. The ground has a fine bar and clubhouse with decent food stands and on the day of the game, there was a rap artist performing and free blood pressure checks being offered for “men of a certain age”. The home fans sang anti-racist and anti-homophobic chants throughout the game, aligned with the positive atmosphere around a busy ground, which has plenty of decent quality covered seating to create a really impressive match experience for a non league club on a highly enjoyable afternoon. Therefore my 2022-23 “Ground of the Season” award goes to Whitehawk FC, for their Enclosed Ground.

The 2022-23 “Team of the Season” award was quite a simple choice for me this year. I have been a regular visitor at the Bauvill Stadium, home of Chatham Town, in the past three seasons, seeing them rise from the SCEFL Premier League to the Isthmian League (South East Division) in 2022. This season they made the Bauvill into a fortress, remaining unbeaten in the league there all season, and stepping up their game in the final third of the season, to win the Isthmian League South East Division at the first time of asking, comfortably from the early season leaders, Ramsgate. The Chats played some lovely passing football this season, with Jack Evans, Matt Bodkin, Emmanuel Oloyede, Ike Orje and Reece Butler standing out. Highlights of games seen this season, were a 0-1 away win at Lancing Town, eked out when the Chats couldn’t afford to drop a point, and of course the dramatic 1st v 2nd clash at the Bauvill against Ramsgate FC, when the home side drew on all their reserves to win 2-0. The achievement this season, under manager Kevin Hake, was exceptional and they are deserved winners of my “Team of the Season” award.

Next comes the 2022-23 “Team Spirit” award. This goes to a side who have played attacking football all season and whose spirit and togetherness almost carried them to promotion from the Southern Counties East Football League Division 1. Tooting Bec FC are this year’s winners for the strength of character they showed in fighting their way through to the play off final, where they eventually lost on penalties, to an exceptional Lydd Town. Chairman Steffan Wells has used a small budget to shape a team of talented and attack minded players, who combine well and should go on next season to challenge for automatic promotion. The team showed great spirit to beat Larkfield & New Hythe in the play off semi finals, and then gave their all in the final, going down gallantly and with good grace. They are deserved winners of my “Team Spirit” award.

The final virtual award of part 1 of the 2022-23 End of Season awards is for “Manager of the Year”. This goes to a manager I have seen at close hand on a number of occasions this season and who is the leader of a club which has developed its facilities on and off the pitch to a high level, increasing the fan base for the club, whilst putting it truly at the heart of its local community. This season the manager of the year, has led his team to a run away title, winning the Southern Counties East Football League Division 1, with an eight point cushion over second placed Tooting Bec, whilst securing 20 victories from 32 games. Therefore my “Manager of the Season” for 2022-23 is Luke Wallond of Snodland Town.

Part 2 of my end of season awards will be published next week.