My First XI: Jack Naldrett

GK - Luke Glover - Whitehawk. Helped his team secure promotion to the Isthmian Premier. Part of one of the meanest defences in the league and an extremely talented shot stopper whenever he is called upon. Solid, reliable, limited mistakes. 

RB - Matt Bodkin - Chatham. The first of my 3 Chats picks, unsurprisingly as they won the league. My club, Burgess Hill travelled to Chatham in August and he was absolutely brilliant that afternoon. Proper defender who loves defending. Last ditch tackles, goal line clearances, the lot. 

CB - Robert Carter - Beckenham. A really good debut year at step 4 for the Becks and the talismanic leader at the back, Carter, played a big part. Head it. Kick. Launch it. Love it. None of this Tiki-taka nonsense. Thou shall not pass mentality. Hard as nails. Probably horrible to play against, in the best way possible! 

CB - Kiki Oshilaja - Cray Valley. Chalk and cheese to Carter but this is one underrated football player. He seemingly has it all, doesn’t he? Pace, power, strength, composure. A modern centre half who likes to play. I admittedly don’t watch him every week, but I’m sure he can rise up the footballing ladder, should he so wish. 

LB - Martyn Box - Burgess Hill. No, he’s not just included because he plays for my club. There’s a very strong case to say he’s the best player in the league. LB, LW, CB? No problem. Your typical modern full back. Up and down that left flank all afternoon long, when he’s running at you, welcome to hell. Oh, and he’s a monster in the air, for someone who's not the tallest. A joy to watch every week and should be playing leagues higher! 

RM - Tijan Jadama - Ramsgate. Ok, he might not be a right midfielder but I couldn’t leave him out. The driving attacking force behind why Ramsgate almost won the league. His case is certainly helped by the fact he scored a tremendous hat trick against Burgess Hill this season (he scores against us every year) but another one who’s very underrated. My favourite non Hillian to watch. Certainly could go and give higher leagues a go! Some talent. 

CM - Jack Evans - Chatham. Probably my player of the whole season. Goodness me this boy can play the sport of football. It’s a team game of course but without him, Chatham do not win the league this season. 14 league goals from CM, is huge. Not to mention he is the Chats captain, so certainly lead by example. Isthmian Prem clubs, beware of his set pieces! 

CM - Jordi Robins - Chatham. His teammate Evans would have got most of the praise but the unsung hero is Robins. Does all the dirty work in the midfield, not a blade of Grass/Astro Turf that he won’t have covered this year and will probably sleep for about 6 weeks after all the running he does. Will grace the Isthmian Prem and terrorise the midfielders that he plays against, I have no doubt. 

LM - Ade Adeyemo - Cray Valley. I mean this in the nicest way possible. What’s he doing playing in this league?! He’s unstoppable on his day, and his day is Saturdays and the occasional Tuesday. Lighting quick, incredibly strong, scores goals, creates assists. What more do you want? I do not enjoy watching my team play Cray Valley, purely because we have to play this cheat code. 

ST - Dan Perry - Burgess Hill. The top goalscorer in the Isthmian South East. So he simply has to be in the team. Without him, Burgess Hill would have dropped to step 5 by about February. 6 yard box merchant, proper throwback striker but he runs himself into the ground week in and week out so he deserves every goal he gets. And he gets a shedload. 

ST - Louie Theophanous - Beckenham. Everywhere he goes he finishes in the upper echelons of the goalscoring charts. A big reason why Beckenham graced the post season. Every club needs a good striker and the Becks have a great one. No doubt he will score 20+ goals again in 2023/24! 

I’m going to completely cheat the system and go rogue by also submitting a subs bench! Call them my honourable mentions should you wish. 

Ryan Davidson - Chichester City
Luca Cocoracchio - Whitehawk 
Liam Friend - Ashford United
Archie Johnson - Beckenham Town
Daniel Bennett - Cray Valley PM

Thanks Jack. Right, who’s next? If you’d like to pick your team of the year, then go ahead! Choose your First XI, explain your choices, send them to Ian at townsendaround@gmail.com, and Bob’s the brother of your mother. They’ll appear here soon.

Remember, no more than three players from any one club.

Image- Chris Neal.

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