Who deserves to win our top player gongs?
THE agony and the ecstasy of the play-offs is all that remains to be settled in the National League – but the SCL National Game Awards doesn’t wait for the trophies to be lifted high into the sky!
We’re already putting our plans in place for the big day on Wednesday May 16 and part of our job is to give you everything you need to know for the moment you feel voting time is ready to take place.
This week we bring a rundown of the Mark Harrod Player of the Year and the Sportsbeat Young Player of the Year, which were won last summer by Lincoln City duo Alex Woodyard and Sean Raggett respectively.
We certainly don’t envy you decision-makers when it comes to picking the person who takes the crown this year!
Player of the Year, remember, is an award which covers the National League and the National League North and South – Step 3&4 have their own separate NGA – and there’s plenty to choose from.
When picking any POTY, the mind naturally often drifts towards the top of the scoring charts.
Rightly or wrongly, all over the country the top scorers reg- ularly tend to grab the gongs as well as the goals.
It doesn’t have to be that way of course, as we saw last year, but the net finders may have shaped your team’s season.
Andy Cook has plundered 26 goals for Tranmere while the lethal Danny Rowe, at AFC Fylde, has continued his fine goalscoring form from last season with 24.
It’s not all about the forwards; of course, champions Macclesfield have several worthy contenders like 37-year-old Danny Whitaker, who has oozed class in midfield.
Starlet
We also need your votes for the Sportsbeat Young Player of the Year award. To be eligible, a player must be 23 years old or under.
More and more youngsters are dropping into Non-League after ending spells with professional academies.
A lot of the time, ability isn’t the issue so, as Non-League supporters, we often get to see some great players turn out for our clubs. Four years ago, Andre Gray had just helped fire Luton Town to the Conference title when he was named our Young Player of the Year. He’s not doing too badly for himself now at Premier League Watford! Lee Angol won the award three years ago after netting 32 goals for Boreham Wood in Conference South. He’s been enjoying himself at Peterborough, Lincoln and Mansfield in the Football League. Last year, Raggett scooped the award for his performances in Lincoln’s incredible season which have since seen him land a move to Championship side Norwich City. Two hot-shot National League strikers worth keeping an eye on this time are England C pair Tommy Wright and Fejiri Okenabirhie, while Alfie Pavey has impressed for Dartford in National League South. If your club has a starlet that deserves to be rewarded, have your say and let us know!