Stockton Town skipper Adam Nicholson has been with the club for 14 of the last 18 years, and knows his team-mates inside out. Here’s his assessment.

LIAM JORDAN, GOALKEEPER

Liam is a top young goalkeeper, another product of the Stockton youth set-up who has improved every year with the first team and established himself in the battle for the Number 1 jersey. He has produced some top performances during the Vase run this year.

MICHAEL ARTHUR, GOALKEEPER

"Martha" is a reliable goalkeeper, good talker and shot stopper when his hands aren’t on his hips. He is a big game player who was outstanding in both legs of the semi final, and pulled off a great save in the second leg. He wasn’t a keeper though when he first came to the club, he was a defender.

JAMES WARD, DEFENDER

“Wardy” is a converted forward/midfielder to left back since promotion to the Northern League. He has represented the club at all junior ages and then the Teesside, Wearside and Northern League. He is a naturally gifted sportsman with a wand of a left foot, always gives 100%.

TOM COULTHARD, DEFENDER

Vice-captain Tom is a brilliant defender, another product of the Stockton youth set-up. Tom’s pace and power allows him to deal comfortably with most strikers when he’s not working away.

Dale Mulligan defender

Dale signed for the club in September last year to look after his brother, Nathan. He is an aggressive, old school centre half who is a great talker and leader in the dressing room. He’s got loads of experience in the Northern League.

MATTHEW GARBUTT, DEFENDER

“Garbo” is a converted full back with an abundance of pace and ability. He has been an ever present in the team winning back-to-back promotions and has appeared upfront, in midfield and in defence this season.

JOE CARTER, DEFENDER

Joe is another converted full back who doesn't sweat regardless how many minutes on the sunbeds he does. He always produces a good performance whether at right back or right wing.

JAMES RISBROUGH, MIDFIELDER

“Munchie” joined us from Whitby earlier in the season after previously playing for the club in the Wearside League. Munch is a great athlete with pace to burn, versatile at left back or left wing.

NATHAN MULLIGAN, MIDFIELDER

Nathan is in his first season with the club, he is an experienced box-to-box midfielder, with great technique who previously represented Darlington in the Football League in 2010. He’s a really cool player, he kept his nerve when he scored from the penalty spot in the second leg of the semi-final.

CHRIS DUNWELL, MIDFIELDER

Chris is an experienced defensive midfielder who has played over 400 Northern league games. He has been involved with the club from the Wearside League days putting in some big performances on the road winning back-to-back promotions.

ALAN COSAVELLA, MIDFIELDER

Alan is another experienced defensive midfielder/defender who has over 400 Northern league games to his name. His fitness, attitude and discipline has made him a valuable member of the squad over the years.

MAX CRAGGS, MIDFIELDER

Another key player who has come through the youth set-up at Stockton and been in the spine of the team for years. Big, strong centre midfielder and set piece specialist, chips in with his fair share of goals from midfield. Unfortunately, he won’t be playing in the final because of injury, but he’ll still be with us in the dressing room.

KEVIN HAYES, MIDFIELDER

Kev, who was in the youth squad at Middlesbrough, is a tricky winger who has been outstanding this season, at just 19 years old he has been a nightmare for opposition defenders. This has recently earned him trials at professional clubs and as long as his gymnastics don’t interfere he could go all the way.

SONNI COLEMAN, FORWARD

Sonni previously represented England Schoolboys and has developed into a top young striker. Big game player who scored some crucial goals for us in last year’s promotion run, and again this season.

CHRIS STOCKTON, MIDFIELDER

Chris is one of a kind, he often turns up for Wednesdays training sessions on a Tuesday. He is quick, strong, very direct and has been a massive part of our attacking threat over the year. His hat-trick from the bench against Consett in the early rounds of the Vase sticks in the mind.

JAMIE OWENS, FORWARD

J-LO is a goal scoring machine, his record in the Northern League speaks for itself, and he’s our top scorer this season. The Hardwick Messi is as strong as an ox, has an excellent left foot and a famous step-over.

FRED WOODHOUSE, FORWARD

Fred is a quick and strong forward with bags of technical ability and workrate. He has plenty of Northern League experience and absolutely loves his job, he once worked 25 hours in one day.

The skipper:

ADAM NICHOLSON, DEFENDER

I first represented the club as a seven-year-old played through to 11-years-old then returned at 16 to play under-18s Teesside League, Wearside League, Northern League Second Division & now First Division.

Unfortunately, I tore my knee ligaments in the FA Sunday Cup final at Bramall Lane last May in the FA Sunday Cup final which resulted in me missing most of this season (four months in a knee brace!) My first start in the Vase came in the semi-final second leg vs Marske! Getting back to full fitness now and hoping to be leading the lads out at Wembley!