Stones scoop paper's team of the year accolade!

Ryman Premier champions Maidstone United were named as the Red Insure Team of the Year at the Non-League Paper's National Game Awards.

Maidstone United manager Jay Saunders is pictured collecting the accolade at Fulham's Craven Cottage on Wednesday from NLP editor Stuart Hammonds.

The Stones were chosen by the paper's readers as their top team of the season after holding their nerve to win one of the tightest title races in years to earn promotion to Conference South and take another step towards returning to the Football League one day.

Ryman South champions and cup specialists Burgess Hill Town were also nominated for the Team of the Year honour.

Saunders and proud officials from the Gallagher Stadium including club secretary Ian Tucker could have left with a hat-trick of awards after keeper Lee Worgan made the final shortlist for the Reusch Goalkeeper of the Year accolade and midfielder James Rogers was among the finalists for the Timali Step 3 & 4 Player of the Year following his 53 appearances for the Stones last season.

Guests at the annual awards included Ryman League secretary Kellie Discipline, England C manager Paul Fairclough and Football Conference chairman Brian Lee who took home the NLP's Lifetime Achievement accolade before his retirement this summer.

National Game Awards Winners 2015
The NLFA Player of the Year: John Akinde
FA England C Player of the Year: Andy Yiadom
Reusch Goalkeeper of the Year: James McKeown
The NLFA Unsung Hero: Derek Vernum
Sportsbeat Young Player of the Year: Lee Angol
Fieldturf Manager of the Year: Darrell Clarke
Timali Step 3 & 4 Player of the Year: Tom Greaves
The PFA Fair Play Award: Harrogate Town
William Hill Fan of the Year: Mary Jinks
The Football Foundation Community Club of the Year: Merthyr Town
Red Insure Team of the Year: Maidstone United
All About Ballerz Golden Boot: John Mills
Toolstation Cup Run of the Year: North Ferriby United
Huck Nets Goal of the Season: Sean Geddes
The Non-League Paper Lifetime Achievement: Brian Lee (Football Conference chairman)

Follow us: @rymanleaguenews on Twitter | Ryman League group on Facebook