Former goalkeeper James Montgomery in frame for AFC Telford Player of the Year honour

The Bucks faithful have been invited to cast their votes via an online survey and, initially, had every player from the current squad to choose from, including last year’s winner Dwayne Samuels. Due to requests though, the club reset the vote and added 22-year-old goalkeeper Montgomery, now at Gateshead, to the mix.

Montgomery impressed hugely for Telford in the first half of this term, playing 31 games and keeping 10 clean sheets.

Also earning an England C call-up and a spot in Jamie Vardy’s V9 Academy this campaign, he went on to join Gateshead, on January 30, in the National League for an undisclosed sum, with the Bucks inserting a career-long sell-on clause into the deal.

Telford fan Jack Bleasby – who follows the club home and away – said: “I was astonished when they initially put the vote up without him and was pleased they brought him into the vote. I believe he saved us points game after game during the first part of the season and without his input we’d be in serious trouble.”We have seen how our previously excellent defensive record has fallen apart since he left as proof for that.

Season ticket holder Phil Ball said: “There’s only one choice for me even though he’s not with us anymore and that’s Montgomery.”

“Mr Consistent and saved us numerous points, without them we may have got relegated.”

Fans on twitter were largely backing Montgomery as well but Richard Worton – who writes for the AFC Telford United matchday programme – said “James did terrifically, but I think even he’d acknowledge the defence in front of him contributed hugely, so I’d nominate Luca Havern, the captain.

“I think at times even his influence has dipped, but put simply, if he’s fit then he plays; he’s an automatic choice when few have been.”

Katie Peal also opted for Havern and added: “Luca gets my vote. We have had a tumultuous season and captaining a side that, aside from a core seven or eight players, has changed considerably (sometimes weekly) hasn’t been an easy task.

“He’s a player I’d like to see in an AFC Telford shirt next season.

The winner will be announced at Telford’s end of season awards at the Whitehouse Hotel on Saturday, April 28. The event starts at 7.30pm, with tickets – including a two-course meal – priced at £15.

Meanwhile, midfielder Eddie Jones is set to miss the remainder of the campaign as he is due for an operation on a hernia.

He has made 14 appearances for the Bucks this season, scoring twice, and the club are looking to book him for surgery as soon as possible.