Somewhat later than promised… I move to the final part of my end of season awards. These awards recognise teams and players who have stood out for me in the 121 matches I have seen in the 2022-23 non league season.

In third place in my player of the season award I would like to introduce Lewis Hole, long time number 9 for Little Common FC, playing down in Bexhill in the Southern Combination league. Lewis Hole has clocked up over 350 goals for Little Common FC in his long career and when I saw him as the home team defeated Midhurst & Easebourne FC 4-1, back in the Spring of 2023, he was pacy beyond his years, as he bagged a brace. Hole managed a total of 20 goals in his 45 games and is a just winner of the third placed position in the Tea, Cake and Football Grounds of the UK awards, 2022-23.

In second place this season my award goes to a key member of the hugely successful Chatham Town side, who won the Isthmian League (South East Division) title convincingly in 2022-23. Matt Bodkin managed to transition at the age of thirty eight, to move from a wing role to wing back, forming a key role as a member of the league’s best defence and at the same time contributing invaluable assists and goals as the Chats won the league by eight points from rivals Ramsgate, with an unbeaten home record in the league. Bodkin is still as highly skilled as he was in the earliest days in his career, whilst at Nottingham Forest and Gillingham, however has now added a wealth of experience and confidence to his arsenal.

My winner this season plays for Lydd Town, who secured promotion from the Southern Counties East Football League Division 1 via the play offs. Luke Burdon started the season playing for Larkfield & New Hythe in the same league and scored 9 goals in 10 matches before an illness ended his time at Larkfield. In January, Burdon ended up joining unfashionable Lydd Town, leading them with 16 goals in 11 matches to secure a place in the play off final against Tooting Bec. Burdon battled throughout the game, helping his side to a penalty shoot out win, which elevates them to the SCEFL Premier Division in 2023-24. Burdon ended up with 25 SCEFL goals from 21 games and is a deserved winner of the virtual Tea, Cake and Football Grounds of the UK “Player of the Year” award this season.