ST Neots Town manager Iain Parr paid tribute to his players of the season, Lewis Hillard and Gavin Hoyte, this week, telling The Hunts Post: “I couldn’t decide between them – so I chose them both.”

The 22-year-old midfielder Hillard, and the former Arsenal, Watford and Brighton central defender Hoyte, also 22, are two of the more experienced players in what is now a relatively young St Neots side after a series of high profile departures – including Stefan Moore and Ben Mackey – this season.

Parr said: “Gavin came to the club with a big reputation and took a little time to settle in – but as the season has progressed, he has grown as a player.

“He always wants to improve, asks questions, and helps the younger players. He has become a rock at the centre of defence and an ideal club captain.

“Lewis has excelled this season, his laid back style can easily be mistaken for laziness, but he has worked incredibly hard and has improved his defensive game to add to his wonderful technical swagger going forward.

“Lewis finished the season as the leading goalscorer and the supporters’ player of the year. That says it all. I couldn’t decide between them – so I chose them both.”

The awards were announced at last week’s presentation night, with midfielder Adrian Sear getting his fellow players’ vote, after the club ended their season on a high by beating Huntingdon Town on penalties in the final of the Hunts FA Senior Cup.

Meanwhile, three pre-season friendlies for July have been confirmed. They are against Blue Square Premier side Cambridge United (home, Saturday, July 13), Haverhill Rovers of the Eastern Counties League (away, Tuesday, July 16) and Histon of the Blue Square Bet North (home, Tuesday, July 23).

COMING SOON: MIKE KEARNS TALKS ABOUT ST NEOTS TOWN

Richard Hughes sat down with St Neots Town chairman Mike Kearns for a discussion about the club, its future and its ambitions.

That conversation will form the basis of a series of exclusive online articles which will begin this Saturday at www.huntspost24.co.uk/sport