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Vote for your star man in KentOnline's team of the year

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

What a season it’s been in the county, with brilliant performances throughout.

We’ve enjoyed bringing you our weekly XI and it doesn’t get any easier when it comes to selecting the overall team of the season.

We got there in the end - including substitutes - all presented in a new interactive format, courtesy of the KM Group’s graphics team.

Click on the shirts to find out who’s made the cut and read on to find out more. Don't forget to vote for your player of the season in our poll at the bottom of the page.

Corinthian enjoyed a solid first year in Isthmian South East following promotion, finishing eighth.

They conceded just 39 goals in 38 games, the fourth-best defensive record in the division, helped by the form of keeper Aiden Prall, who kept 14 clean sheets.

Laurence Harvey was a colossus at the back as Herne Bay celebrated promotion to the Isthmian Premier for the first time in their history.

The attacking talent at Bay’s disposal is well-known but their defence played a huge part, conceding just 34 goals, with big Harvey very much to the fore, as well as contributing four goals.

Dartford captain Tom Bonner made the National League South team of the season, and he’s in ours as well, after another fine campaign.

Dartford defender Tom Bonner Picture: Keith Gillard
Dartford defender Tom Bonner Picture: Keith Gillard

The 34-year-old remains a class act at centre-half, with Dartford’s record of 42 goals conceded in 40 league games bettered only by champions Maidstone.

You know someone’s had a good season when they clean up at their club’s presentation evening.

That was the case for Taylor Fisher, who was named manager’s player of the year, supporters’ player of the year and players’ player of the year at Sittingbourne.

His form for the Brickies earned an end-of-season move to Isthmian Premier Margate.

The versatility of former Gillingham youngster Ben Chapman proved invaluable for Ebbsfleet boss Dennis Kutrieb.

Equally effective in defence and midfield, Chapman starred as Fleet finished third in National South, only to cruelly miss out on promotion.

Captain Billy Bennett drove Sheppey to extraordinary heights as Ernie Batten’s side completed the quadruple in Southern Counties East.

Bennett led the Ites to title glory, to go with two Kent Senior Trophy wins - including the delayed 2019/20 final - and the Challenge Cup, finishing with 14 league goals.

Margate midfielder Ben Greenhalgh Picture: Andy Jones
Margate midfielder Ben Greenhalgh Picture: Andy Jones

Sheppey pipped Chatham to the title after an epic tussle that saw both sides break the 100-point barrier.

Chats skipper Jack Evans had another brilliant season as the Maidstone Road club secured promotion as runners-up, firing 27 league goals.

The 29-year-old is one who will thrive stepping back up to Isthmian League football next season.

Jay Saunders knew what he was getting when he took Ben Greenhalgh to Margate last summer.

It was the fourth time the pair have linked up and ever-present Greenhalgh didn’t disappoint, scoring 18 goals and providing numerous assists as Gate finished a highly-respectable eighth in the Isthmian Premier on a limited budget.

Saunders has moved on to Tonbridge but Greenhalgh remains at Hartsdown Park and last week was named their new captain.

David Smith formed a deadly partnership with Ade Yusuff as Folkestone challenged for an Isthmian Premier play-off place for much of the season.

He has his admirers at high levels after scoring 29 goals in 42 league games. Add in cup goals and he’s well into the 30s.

Folkestone striker David Smith Picture: Randolph File
Folkestone striker David Smith Picture: Randolph File

Gary Lockyer had the best season of his career, scoring 35 league goals for two clubs.

His early-season efforts at Kennington, firing 18 goals in 15 games, earned a move to Ashford, where his prolific form helped the Nuts & Bolts finish runners-up in Isthmian South East.

Joan Luque scored 20 league goals from the left wing, including a number of spectacular strikes, as Maidstone won National League South.

The Spaniard was unplayable at times as United beat Dorking to the title, and it was no surprise to see him named National League South player of the season.

Maidstone’s title success makes Hakan Hayrettin our manager of the year.

Hayrettin squeezed every last drop out of his players as they climbed from 10th place in November to win the championship, overhauling fancied teams Dorking, Ebbsfleet and Dartford.

They went on a run of 21 wins in 25 games to seal the title with two games to spare, securing a return to non-league’s top flight after a three-year absence.

Hayrettin won two manager-of-the-month awards during the season and was also named National League South manager of the year.

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