With just six match-weeks remaining, the League Two season is close to its conclusion. Yet, sides that will celebrate promotion, and alternatively grimace at the result of relegation, are still undecided.
It is at this point however where discussions for the illustrious individual awards start to build up, and fans across the league pledge their case for who they think deserve recognition for their overall performances.
Narrowing it down to our top five, here are the nominees for The Lower Tiers’ League Two Player of the Season.
League Two’s player of the season in 2024/25, Michael Cheek has put himself in contention to take home the award again this campaign.
16 goals in 35 games is nine less than the amount that won him the division’s golden boot last year, albeit another impressive total puts the 34-year-old currently second in the League Two top scorer charts.
Despite Cheek not being Bromley’s sole standout in their push for promotion, the Ravens’ number nine has been crucial in wins against Crawley Town, Tranmere Rovers, and Accrington Stanley where he netted two or more goals in each.
This is Cheek’s 13th consecutive season where the striker has comfortably reached over double digits for goals, a stunning statistic that simply can’t be ignored.
Among the tallest players in League Two, 6ft 6in man-mountain Omar Sowunmi is also amongst the very best.
The centre-back has been the heartbeat of a Bromley defence that have registered 15 clean sheets, where Sowunmi has currently totalled a staggering 405 defensive contributions this season.
Additionally, and at the other end of the pitch, Sowunmi has used his height to great effect where he has scored six goals in significant home wins against MK Dons and Salford City.
With the highest average FotMob rating for the league leaders (7.53), it is no surprise that the 30-year-old has caught the eye of Aberdeen, Oxford United and Barnsley.
Yet, the focus remains fully on leading Bromley to the League Two title.
Callum Paterson has been a breath of fresh air in the MK Dons attack this season. His aerial dominance and aggression would be invaluable assets for any side playing in such a physical league.
His 14 league goals this season puts him in fourth across the entire division, paired with his determination and work rate, Paterson is a serious contender for player of the season.
Paterson embodies the classic poacher archetype, finding his way into dangerous positions and getting onto the end of crosses, resulting in the forward surpassing the goal tally of MK Dons’ top scorer last season.
The highlight of his season came in a 5-1 win against Shrewsbury Town where Paterson scored a first half hat-trick.
He also works tirelessly off the ball. His 60 clearances for the Dons this season shows his unwavering urge to contribute all over the pitch.
With Paterson set to return from injury this week for the final six games of the season, the Scotsman will be confident in his ability to fire MK Dons to promotion.
Without question, Drinan has been the catalyst behind Swindon Town’s upturn in performances under Ian Holloway this campaign.
After bagging just three goals last season, very few would have predicted him to be the favourite to ultimately win the League Two golden boot, however, he’s undoubtedly proved critics wrong to become arguably League Two’s best striker.
A few standout moments across the campaign, include scoring twice on three occasions, against Barrow AFC in January, Harrogate Town in September and Notts County in November, collectively contributing to his current total of twenty goals.
In the dying stages of the season, Drinan’s eye in front of goal, alongside his physicality, could prove to be the key behind Swindon Town cementing their place in the playoffs, as well as ultimately scooping up the Player of the Season award for himself!
Similarly to Sowunmi, Kelland Watts has been crucial in his side’s defence.
Cambridge United have the best defence this season where they have conceded the lowest amount of goals (29) and have registered the second most clean sheets (16).
Operating on the left side of a back three, Watts has excelled in winning duels and recoveries out of possession, as well as accumulating six goals for The U’s this campaign.
Sitting in fourth place and just one point behind the automatic promotion spots, both Watts’ defensive and attacking contributions will be key should Neil Harris’ side achieve League One status.
So, do you agree with our choices? Make sure to have your say by commenting below:
