Find local news in Kent

Home   Maidstone   Sport   Article

Vote for your star man in KentOnline’s team of the season

06:18, 18 May 2023

updated: 16:41, 18 May 2023

It’s time for KentOnline’s team of the season.

A big thank-you to the thousands who’ve voted in our weekly polls over the 2022/23 campaign.

Now we’re asking you to decide on your player of the year.

Have a look at the starting XI we’ve selected and pick your favourite at the bottom of the page.

Click on the positions in our interactive graphic to see who’s made the cut, while we’ve also chosen our top boss, along with a five-man bench.

Gillingham goalkeeper Glenn Morris seems to be getting better with age.

The 39-year-old, who initially returned to Priestfield on loan before signing a permanent deal, had a superb season.

His form between the sticks kept Gillingham going before the Galinson takeover breathed new life into the club, richly deserving their player-of-the-year award.

Sittingbourne defender Donvieve Jones had never scored more than the odd goal before, so to pop up with 12 from full-back and wing-back is some going.

No one found a way to stop his marauding back-post runs and he finished as the Brickies’ leading scorer, collecting the supporters’ player-of-the-year prize.

On the opposite flank it’s Sheppey’s Mr Consistent, Frankie Morgan.

Gillingham goalkeeper Glenn Morris.
Gillingham goalkeeper Glenn Morris.

The Ites enjoyed an excellent first campaign in Isthmian South East following last season’s Southern Counties East quadruple and Morgan was a big reason for that, producing a string of outstanding performances.

Centre-back and captain Kane Smith was a hugely influential member of the Deal Town team who finished third in Southern Counties East and reached the Kent Senior Trophy final.

Indeed, his absence from the Deal defence against Punjab was a big factor behind their lacklustre final display at the Gallagher Stadium as the Hoops suffered a 6-0 defeat.

Tom Bonner was a mainstay of the third-best defence in National League South with Dartford.

It's not often players retain their place in team of the year but Bonner was an obvious choice as he was Mr Consistent at Princes Park, leading the team to second spot in the table before another play-off exit on penalties.

Jason Fregene was a key part of a Hythe Town side who finished with the best defence in Isthmian South East, keeping 17 clean sheets and conceding just 34 goals in 38 games.

Arriving at the club as a full-back, manager Steve Watt employed him on the left of a back three to brilliant effect and he also scored nine goals as Hythe made the play-off final.

After losing Doug Loft to long-term injury, Tonbridge boss Jay Saunders needed some experience in midfield to help his young squad.

He found it in the form of former Charlton, Bristol City, Gillingham and AFC Wimbledon man Scott Wagstaff, employing the winger in a central midfield role and reaping the benefits as Angels enjoyed a record ninth-placed finish in National League South.

Ramsgate midfielder TJ Jadama. Picture: Ian Scammell
Ramsgate midfielder TJ Jadama. Picture: Ian Scammell

Indeed, it surprised no one to see Wagstaff pick up both the players’ player and supporters’ player-of-the-year awards at Longmead.

Captain Jack Evans was every bit as effective as expected as Chatham won the Isthmian South East title at the first attempt following promotion.

But there was an unsung hero for Chats as Jordy Robins excelled in a holding midfield role, protecting the backline and barely missing a game for the champions.

No one did more than local lad TJ Jadama as Ramsgate went close to winning Isthmian South East.

Jadama’s goals, energy and creativity from midfield were a joy to behold for the long-time leaders.

He scored 14 times, including the first hat-trick of his career, in a brilliant campaign.

Ebbsfleet United striker Dominic Poleon. Picture: Ed Miller/EUFC
Ebbsfleet United striker Dominic Poleon. Picture: Ed Miller/EUFC

Dominic Poleon is the type of striker you'd expect to score goals at National League South level but not many would have predicted he'd blast in 36 for title-winning Ebbsfleet.

It was the best season of his career and but for an unfortunate red card late in the campaign, he may well have broken the 40-goal barrier.

Rusthall's Louie Clarke may have gone under the radar at Rusthall but his consistent goalscoring form earned him second spot in the SCEFL Premier Division scoring charts and a place in our top XI.

Clarke finished the campaign with 28 goals, a fine effort and one of the main reasons why Rusthall enjoyed a brilliant season to finish in sixth place ahead of some much bigger names.

When it came to selecting our manager of the year, we got down to three names: Kevin Hake, Steve Watt and Dennis Kutrieb.

Hake, with the added responsibility of being the chairman, led Chatham to title glory and back-to-back promotions, while Watt worked wonders to build a play-off team at Hythe on one of the smallest budgets in the league.

However, we couldn’t overlook Kutrieb’s success in leading Ebbsfleet to National League South glory.

It’s one thing being title favourites but to win a league by 20 points and finish with 103 points is some going by anyone’s standards as Fleet overcame the disappointment of last season’s play-off final defeat.

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More