SOAK it up. The season is over for those not involved in the playoffs and the league trophy is safely in our hands. The Rushall game on Saturday was a formality to get out of the way so that the celebrations could continue.

It’s been a crazy season. Early days, it looked like we were going to struggle to adapt to the league. In reality, I thought we were a little underprepared, particularly with player recruitment. We were light in numbers up front and likewise, we played the opening months with a midfielder at right back who sadly got found out on a regular basis.

Amazingly, it only took three tweaks to turn the team around in to a beast. Firstly, Lee Gaskell was brought in to offer a bit of variety and fresh legs to the forward line. His first game was the home loss to Marine. A week later, he got off the mark with a spectacular hat-trick at Mickleover Sports. However, more importantly at Mickleover, the second tweak was made that had an enormous impact. Leon Scott was properly unleashed on the division.

While the right hand side of our defence had been an obvious soft spot, defensively, our midfield was also looking vulnerable. Too many goals were conceded early season coming through our midfield. So, at Mickleover, Leon Scott came in for Tom Portas. All of a sudden, it clicked. While Scott may not be the prettiest player on the ball, his ability to win it back is unquestionable.

Finally, the addition of Gary Brown was the icing on the cake. With Chris Hunter shifting over from centre half to replace Lewis Gibbons at right back, we finally had a rock-solid defensive unit. With Brown at his imperious best, marshalling the defence and those in front of it from his central position, we became the team that steamrollered all in front of them.

All of the hard work and the good results culminated in last Thursday night at Whitby. Whether you were at the Turnbull Ground or not, you couldn’t help but buzz off the events as they unfolded through the course of the evening, and in particular the first 45 minutes.

If you tried to define what Darlo were all about this season, the first half summed it up. High-intensity pressing, incisive attacking, fantastic set-pieces and clinical finishing. In fairness to Martin Gray, it’s a template that he has used in each of the last four seasons. Press hard or go home. The players he signs to replenish and renew the squad have to fit that bill. Gray won’t change his approach to accommodate players.

In terms of the players, for me, it’s hard to pick a player of the season. In Kevin Burgess and Terry Galbraith, we have two defenders who finished the season in double figures for goals. Add an insane number of assists for Galbraith from his amazing set pieces.

In midfield, Phil Turnbull has been a cut above. For me, he’s the best player in the division. It is through his constant involvement in play that we have become a really good side to watch, playing a more sophisticated brand of football than in recent years.

Meanwhile, up front, Nathan Cartman has been sensational; did anyone think he wouldn’t be? Meanwhile, Lee Gaskell and Graeme Armstrong have protected our little Yorkshire gem and weighed in with some incredibly important goals.

However, for me, there are two players who I can’t split for player of the season. They have had the greatest impact on the side and made the team a tougher unit to break down and beat. Four years on, they are still the first lieutenants that Martin Gray turns to - Leon Scott and Gary Brown.

At the start of the season, Scott was limited to cameo roles off the bench while Brown was getting home in time for his tea playing in the Northern League for Shildon. As soon as they came in to the side, they each acted as a catalyst for huge step improvements. The biggest compliment I can pay them is a simple one; if Scott hadn’t broken in to the team and Brown hadn’t returned to the club, we wouldn’t be champions. Well played lads!