National League North Team Of The Season Confirmed

Goalkeeper: Ben Hinchliffe (Stockport County)
After tasting play-off heartbreak against Chorley last season, it seemed inevitable that Stockport County would rise again. With Hinchliffe between the sticks, the Hatters have looked impenetrable at times and have 14 shutouts on their record this campaign – no wonder Jim Gannon once described him as the best in Non-League.

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Defender: Ashley Palmer (Stockport County)
Commanding centre-half Palmer already has a National League North winners' medal on his mantlepiece and added a dose of leadership to Jim Gannon’s side in the summer. Not content with playing a crucial role in the club’s resurgence, he’s also chipped in with a handful of important goals.

Defender Gareth Dean (Brackley Town)
Gareth Dean is becoming part of the furniture in the National League North Team of the Season. Another fine season sees him claim his spot for the third campaign in succession. And while usually catching the eye with his defending, Dean showed he’s also a dab hand at the other end, slamming home two identical strikes that Lionel Messi would have been proud of.

Defender: Andy Teague (Chorley)
No stranger to setbacks throughout his career, Andy Teague has taken the proverbial bull by the horns this season and dragged Chorley into contention after a shock managerial departure threatened to derail their plans before a ball had even been kicked.

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Winger: John Johnston (Altrincham)
Phil Parkinson’s first ever signing at Altrincham continues to endear himself to the Moss Lane faithful and has more than chipped in this campaign. A return of 13 goals along with a hatful of assists for his teammates sees Alty finish as the league’s top scorers.

Central midfield: Shane Byrne (Brackley Town)
The tough tackling Irishmen is the beating heart of the Brackley Town midfield and continues to impress for Kevin Wilkins’ side who are looking to finally take the extra step into the National League. Comfortable tracking back and causing a nuisance in the 18-yard box, Byrne is a force to be reckoned with.

Central midfield: James Armson (Brackley Town)
A player who can pop-up when you least expect it to grab your side the spoils, James Armson has been an all-consuming presence for Brackley Town this season. He finished as the Saints’ top-scorer with his haul of 14 goals.

Winger: Alex Newby (Chorley)
Hard-working Alex Newby has been instrumental to his side’s charge to the top. He started the season on fire before an injury threatened to dampen his spirits but after bouncing back, he took his tally to 12 for the season, helped with a brilliant hattrick against Southport in February.


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Attacking midfield: Matthew Warburton (Stockport County)
Warburton has been a torchbearer for the Hatter’s charge for National League North glory this season. Incredibly, he fired nine of his 17 goals in the month of January including two hattricks that inevitably won him the Player of the Month gong.

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Striker: Glen Taylor (Spennymoor Town)
The term ‘natural goal-scorer’ couldn’t be any more fitting for Spennymoor Town’s number nine Glen Taylor. This season’s Golden Boot winner, his goals have inspired the Moors’ fans to believe that they can mix it with the big boys in the division.

Striker: Daniel Udoh (AFC Telford United)
A summer signing from Crewe Alexandra, Cowan promised his new frontman would excite the Bucks’ fans. Job done as far as Udoh was concerned as he went on to bag 19 goals in a brilliant season. At just 22-years-old we could be hearing his name for years to come.

PICTURE BY MIKE PETCH PHOTOGRAPHY