RDNL 2021-22 National League Awards
The season awards are rarely easy to select but it felt particularly difficult this year given the high level of quality across the division.
I’m aware that the performance selections are heavily weighted towards those at the top end of the division. However, my task is to select the best in the division – why wouldn’t I look towards the players and managers of the clubs who came close to or won promotion?
The Team of the Season might be my biggest problem here. There were several tough calls, especially those that make up my bench. That players such as Ben Hinchcliffe, Aaron Hayden, Luke Young, Andrew Dallas, Callum Howe, Billy Waters, Callum Roberts and John McAtee miss out, to name a few, speaks volumes to the levels of performance across non-league’s top tier this year. It’s always tempting to put a rule in place to appease the masses but I’d rather avoid that. It takes away from selecting the players I deem to have performed best across the division.
Anyway, without further ado, here are the NL Musings Season Awards for the 2021-22 National League season...
Manager of the Season
Dave Challinor – Stockport County
Yes, I know. It’s the obvious and boring answer. But it’s the obvious answer for a reason. Dave Challinor entered Stockport County with the club 9th in the league table. They won 24 of his 31 league matches in charge to secure the league title. People might point to the fact that he had one of the best sides in the league at his disposal but Simon Rusk and Mark McGhee had that same squad while they were underperforming. The ex-Hartlepool United and AFC Fylde gaffer found consistency in selection and performance and wasn’t afraid to make big calls when required, such as changing shape for the final two league games of the season – they needed four points and earned six. Stockport County’s squad was always capable of winning the title but they were nowhere near close to showing it until Dave Challinor walked through the door.
Player of the Season
Paddy Madden – Stockport County
I found this selection quite difficult. There were a number of exceptional performers across the National League this season but none that clearly performed better than everybody else. I eventually narrowed it down to two: Will Collar and Paddy Madden. I’ve gone for the latter. It’s the way the Irishman stepped up as the season drew to a close. He scored 10 in his final 13 matches including winners against Solihull Moors, Chesterfield, Torquay United and the opener on the final day against FC Halifax Town. Season-defining moments. Despite not having a permanent striker partner for much of the season, he stood up to be counted, leading by example and directly contributing to 29 goals.
Goal of the Season
George Wilkinson – Wrexham 6-5 Dover Athletic
You’re 17 years of age, made your professional debut two months ago and are playing for the side pinned to the bottom of the league table. Your side are 2-0 down at Wrexham, the club making a late charge for the title with some of the best players in the division, when a ball pops up on the edge of the box. You’re George Wilkinson. Your eyes light up. You take a couple of steps backwards with your eye firmly on the ball. You connect sweetly, volleying the ball back over the keeper’s head at speed. You’ve scored your first ever league goal. I came close to giving this to Joe Lewis (v Wealdstone) or Sam Barratt (v Torquay United) but this was a beauty of a strike and a brilliant story too.
Assist of the Season
Christian Oxlade Chamberlain – Grimsby Town 3-1 Aldershot Town
In an ideal world, this wouldn’t have been an assist. It may have even been goal of the season. Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain had the ball deep in his own half when he decided to run 60 yards down the right hand side. As he reached the area, he cut inside of Harry Clifton and Danny Amos, turned outside of Shaun Pearson then chopped Luke Waterfall. He steadied himself to put a left-foot shot beyond Max Crocombe and Michele Efete when team-mate Ryan Glover stole his moment. And therefore, this goal registers as an assist. And what an assist it was.
Save of the Season
Nathan Ashmore – Maidenhead United 2-1 Southend United
It was something of a surprise when Nathan Ashmore joined Maidenhead United on loan from Boreham Wood. The ex-Gosport Borough and Ebbsfleet United man has long been one of the standout goalkeepers in the National League and he started the season in typically strong form until injury struck. With Taye Ashby-Hammond performing well on loan, Ashmore departed to nearby Maidenhead United for much-needed game time and it didn’t take him long to prove why he remains one of the best shot-stoppers in the league. The reaction, the reach, the strength of his outstretched hand. Class. No wonder Luke Garrard has since reinstalled him as The Wood’s number one ahead of next season.
National League Team of the Season
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Sam Johnson – FC Halifax Town
The goalkeeper for the strongest defensive outfit in the division. Not the flashiest or most expressive goalkeeper but does the basics well and performs consistently.
Macauley Southam-Hales – Stockport County
Southam-Hales might be a wing-back but he is a key attacking figure for Stockport County with his boundless energy, pace and ability to create opportunities.
Niall Maher – FC Halifax Town
It was never going to be an easy task replacing Nathan Clarke as captain but Maher took that role on confidently. The ex-Bolton Wanderers man has been the leader and organiser of a youthful side that finished the season having conceded less than any other.
Ash Palmer – Stockport County
May have been questioning his long-term future at the club under Simon Rusk but was an ever-present figure in Challinor’s defence and led by example despite change around him.
Harry Boyes – Solihull Moors
Struggled early on but got a second chance and took it with aplomb. The on-loan Sheffield United youngster showed huge development, his tenacity and willingness to muck in matched by an ability to create and score goals.
Ryan Croasdale – Stockport County
Pivotal under both Rusk and Challinor. Holds his position, reads the game well and recycles possession and started every league match. An underrated cog in the Stockport County machine.
Will Collar – Stockport County
Simon Rusk’s first signing but a player who thrived after Challinor let him off his leash. Collar has become one of the first names on the County team sheet, a number 8 with an ability to contribute at both ends.
Jordan Davies – Wrexham
A player I’ve come to adore. The box-to-box Welsh midfielder who loves a tackle, can drive with the ball, play the intricate stuff and also score goals from all angles. The 23-year-old has a tendency to step up when his side needs him most.
Ruben Rodrigues – Notts County
Ruben Rodrigues was already Notts County’s star heading into the new season and he didn’t disappoint, scoring 19 goals and assisting a further nine. One of the most intelligent and gifted footballers in the division.
Paddy Madden – Stockport County
My selection for player of the season. Madden was a consistent figure in attack for Stockport and made a number of key contributions, especially as the season drew to a close.
Paul Mullin - Wrexham
The marquee signing of the summer in the National League and Paul Mullin didn’t disappoint, finishing as the league’s top goalscorer and being a constant source of goals for a Wrexham side that pushed Stockport until the end.
Subs:
Luke Waterfall – Grimsby Town
Matty Palmer – Notts County
Armani Little – Torquay United
Joe Sbarra – Solihull Moors
Kabongo Tshimanga – Chesterfield
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