High-end performers from the lower tiers
Step 3 & 4 Player of the Year
PROMOTIONS are now being won and the play-off picture is beginning to get clearer – the leagues at Steps 3 & 4 this season have been as gripping as ever.
All season, the players have provided the entertainment on the pitch and now we need your help to recognise the stand-out star for this year’s Step 3/4 Player of the Year at our National Game Awards, in association with Isuzu.
The winner will be presented with their prize at AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday May 23, as we celebrate another thrilling campaign.
Naturally, there are a lot of players in contention, so here are just a few suggestions.
At Step 3, no team is over the line yet (although that may change this weekend), but it’s not for the want of trying. Defensive pair Gary Liddle and Tom Broadbent, plus midfield ace Michael Woods, have been outstanding in steering South Shields to the verge of the NPL Premier division title, while striker Regan Linney has shone for FC United with a storming 20-goal season. Or how about Marine star Sol Solomon?
Sam Higgins has smashed a mouth-watering 30 goals for Hornchurch as they eye a return to Step 2 from the Isthmian Premier, similarly Dan Creaney, who has bagged 31 for title chasers Tamworth and Ashley Chambers, who has been in top form for surprise package Coalville Town.
Then there’s Truro City’s Tyler Harvey, Weston-Super-Mare’s Dayle Grubb or any number of Bracknell Town’s FA Cup and FA Trophy heroes, who have all emerged as big guns in Southern Premier South.
Step 4, too, has seen some standout performances again this season. How about Jonny Margetts, whose 30 goals have led Stamford to the brink of the NPL Midlands, the experienced Nicky Maynard, who has been magnificent in Macclesfield FC’s NPL West title success, or the talismanic Liam Hughes, whose 30 goals ensured Worksop became English football’s first champions of 2022-23?
Top goalscorer at Step 4 level this season is AFC Sudbury’s Nnamdi Nwachuku with 37 in the Suds’ promotion chase, while Walton & Hersham front man Eddie Simon made history by smashing an English record four successive hat-tricks on his way to the same total for the Swans. All worthy candidates.
The choice, as always, is yours, so get your votes in and give your club’s star man the recognition he deserves.
Got someone in mind? Get your votes in now!