Saturday morning saw the announcement of the National League North team of the season. Pete Tscherewik takes a look at those players included.
31-year-old Dibble, who has been with the Harriers since January 2023, continues to set the standard as one of the top stoppers in the North. He has recorded 14 clean sheets in 2025/26, contributing to a total of 17 shutouts. Dibble missed a handful of games due to a nasty head injury against Radcliffe but continues to be Mr Consistent in goal for Adam Murray’s side.
Dawson, the FA Cup hero for Macclesfield in their historic run to the fourth round of the competition, is known for being quite the hothead, with plenty of fire in his belly. He has come up trumps on a number of occasions this season, skippering his side and producing his very own Terry Butcher tribute against Crystal Palace to go alongside a match-winning goal. Twelve goals in the National League North is a stellar return from midfield.
“Tinks” has been there, done it, and got the T-shirt when it comes to this level. Previously winning the title under the reign of Mike Williamson -with now South Shields manager Ian Watson part of the Heed’s backroom staff at the time — the 29-year-old is a natural leader. A ball-playing centre-half, he has 38 domestic appearances to his name this season, and it’s easy to see why he has been included here.
An unknown quantity to many, arriving on loan from Sunderland at the beginning of the season, Bainbridge has been the perfect fit at full-back for Shields. He has three goals from 35 appearances and has thrived after being given licence to roam into attacking positions in Ian Watson’s side this season.
As recently as this week, touted by Adam Murray as likely to be heading for an EFL move this summer, Foulkes is another full-back who has excelled this season. With over 3,300 minutes under his belt, he has been a mainstay for the Harriers once again, having made 30 appearances in 2024/25, when Phil Brown’s side were pipped to the title by Brackley Town on the final day before falling to defeat against Chester in the play-offs.
Arguably the maverick of this team, Twamley is a player who can win a game with a moment of magic at any given time. The Welshman has lit up the league this term with strikes from distance, including long shots and free-kicks. Merthyr’s second half of the season didn’t live up to the first, but Twamley never let his standards drop, finishing with 30 total goal contributions (16 goals, 14 assists).
Upon reflection, a truly astute piece of business by Craig Mahon to bring in Whelan during the summer. The AFC Fylde manager recently admitted just how important Whelan’s experience has been in the lead-up to lifting the title. Whelan won the division’s Player of the Month award in April, hit double figures for assists, and the former Boreham Wood and Chesterfield man should have no difficulty stepping up to National League level again next season.
Like Twamley, a real technical diamond. Thomas signed for the Coasters in the summer of 2025 off the back of a solid first season in senior football at National League side FC Halifax Town. This term, however, he has been one of the standout performers in a title-winning Fylde side, scoring 22 goals. The former Manchester City youngster could well be destined for a much higher level than the National League in the years to come.
Golden Boot, back-to-back. What more is there to add about Paul Blackett? The best striker in the division in recent years, he has once again been instrumental in propelling South Shields to the play-off final this term. Thirty goals in 2025/26, following 23 in 2024/25. Another player who, if promoted, will comfortably make the grade in the league above next season.
The hot prospect of the division, who has had all eyes on him for much of the campaign — for all the right reasons. Since his loan move to Chorley last season, Danny has continued to hit the headlines for Fylde with his goalscoring exploits, including a goal from inside his own half against Macclesfield. Destined for a big move in the summer, he scored 27 goals in 2025/26 and arguably could have surpassed Blackett’s tally of 30 had he not suffered injury during the run-in.
Another player with plenty of experience at higher levels, Marsh was something of a surprise signing for Bedford Town last summer but quite literally let his feet do the talking for the Eagles. Captain, penalty taker, free-kick taker — he did it all. Scoring 26 goals in a campaign hampered by long-distance travel every other weekend, Marsh guided Bedford to survival in their debut season in the North division and deserves the utmost praise.
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