With the 25/26 National League season approaching, let’s have a look back at last season’s standout players.
Firstly, let’s start with Ollie Pearce (York City), who won the player of the year award. He managed 31 goals in his National League debut season with an xG of 0.72 per 90. Before last season, Ollie Pearce played back-to-back seasons in the National League South for south coast club Worthing. Pearce plays as a brilliant all-round forward with the ability to hold up the ball well, create chances for teammates, and his movement gives defenders constant headaches. In my opinion, Ollie Pearce is League One quality, and his performances last season were one of the best individual seasons in recent National League history. Overall, Pearce’s impact was crucial to York’s strong league finish.
The second highest goal scorer in the National League last season was Regan Linney (Altrincham), who scored 24 goals. He averaged 0.88 goals per 90 in the league (14 goals in 21 matches) and made 7 assists, so he averaged an impressive 1.13 goal contributions per 90. Linney wasn’t just a poacher last season; he regularly dropped deep to link play, showcasing mobility, work rate and physicality. His game resembled a well-rounded forward, not just a finisher. Regan Linney had several standout performances last season, but his best match was away to AFC Fylde (October 26, 2024) when he scored a hat-trick and provided an assist in a 5-0 Altrincham win. The 28-year-old caught the attention of recently relegated Carlisle, so will be a key cog in Mark Hughes’ front line.
Luke Hannant was another standout player from last season (Gateshead). Hannant managed 15G/10A, which was an average of 0.50 attacking returns per 90. He also was named Gateshead’s Golden Boot winner after finishing as top scorer with 16 goals across all competitions. Hannant was regularly involved in key plays, creating chances and finishing them too. Hannant mainly played as a dynamic wing-back/attacking midfielder, showcasing his versatility, high work rate, and box-to-box contribution. A highlight of his season was winning the goal of the season with a spectacular volley during Gateshead’s 4–3 win against Sutton United in February.
The 28-year-old Mark Shelton (Barnet) also had a successful season with 12G/2A (0.53 goal involvements per 90). Last season, Shelton was known for his box-to-box capabilities and combining defence with offensive contributions. His versatility allowed him to influence both ends of the pitch, making him a dynamic presence in midfield. Overall, he played a crucial role in Barnet’s title success and I’m looking forward to watching him in the Football League next season.
Southend had a good season but unfortunately lost out to Oldham 3-2 in the Play-off final. Gus Scott-Morriss played an important role in their success with 15G/8A last season. These are brilliant numbers due to him primarily playing as an RB/RWB. Scott-Morriss had a brilliant start to the season with 8 goals in his first 10 games. He was effective as both a traditional full-back and an inverted wing-back, often drifting into half-spaces to create or score. He was voted Southend United player of the year by the club and was included in the National League Team of the Season. In my opinion, he was one of the most influential players for Southend during the 24-25 season and one to watch.
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