The Essex XI

GK - Ben Williams - Colchester United.

Williams, joined Colchester from Carlisle in the summer of 2009. The former Manchester United trainee cost Paul Lambert a mere £60,000. Williams played in every game for The U's keeping an impressive 17 clean sheets which was only bettered in the league by David Forde of Millwall and Fraser Foster at Norwich.

Williams won Colchester United's official player of the season award as well as 2 'Colchester United Supporters Association' awards.

LB - Marc Tierney - Colchester United.  
Fans' favourite Marc Tierney makes it into our Essex XI after a strong season at left back for United. Missing only 2 games, Tierney won the 'Player's Player Award' for the 09/10 season. Colchester United will hope to keep onto his services as they begin to prepare a promotion push for next season.

RB - Simon Francis - Southend United 
Simon Francis is the only Southend player to make our Essex XI despite following their relegation into League Two. During a nightmare year on and off the pitch for Southend United, Francis was the one of the few starlets, featuring in all but one game of the league campaign. Francis' consistent performances were rewarded with winning Shrimpers player of the pear. However the player of the year curse may hit Southend for the third year running, as a unknown League One club has had a bid accepted for the 25 year-old.


CB - Chris Moore - Canvey Island 

Chris Moore beats off stiff competition to partner Mark Arber in our Essex XI defence. In his second spell at Canvey Island after signing from Welling, Moore hasn't put a foot wrong all season in helping Canvey Island finish 16th and stay in the Ryman Premier League. A well liked player among his team-mates, Moore was voted player's player of the year. Canvey will hope to keep onto Moore as prepare for next season.

CB - Mark Arber (C) - Dagenham and Redbridge

Mark Arber captains the Essex XI after arguably his best and most successful season as a professional. Since helping Dagenham and Redbridge to win the Nationwide Conference in 2007, he hasn't looked back since. Stealing the captaincy from Anwar Uddin in 2008, Arber has been integral to Dagenham's success, forming a resolute partnership with Scott Doe last season. Mark Arber proudly captained Dagenham and Redbridge at Wembley in which they beat Rotherham United 3-2 to enter the third tier of English Football.

ML - Ricky Holmes - Chelmsford City

Ricky Holmes had a fantastic season at Chelmsford City last year, winning Chelmsford's player of the season award and scoring 15 goals in the process. Holmes is considered one of the best players outside the Blue Square Premier. However, due to unfortunate circumstances, he has been released by Chelmsford. Holmes will  be plying his trade in the league next season after signing for Mark Stimson's Barnet.

    
MC - Kenny Davis - Grays Athletic
Kenny Davies slots into the centre of midfield in our Essex XI after a impressive first season in the Blue Square Premier with Grays Athletic. Despite Grays dreadful season, the 22 year old midfielder escaped the revolving door, making 35 appearances and scoring 2 goals for the 2009/2010 season. Davis won Grays player of the year award, although has dropped a division to fellow Essex team Braintree Town after signing last week.

MR - Danny Green - Dagenham and Redbridge

Danny Green had the formidable task of filling Sam Saunders boots after the winger moved to Brentford last season. However the tricky winger has been fantastic on the right side of midfield for Dagenham, arguably beating the high standards that Sam Saunders set. Green, made 47 appearances for the Daggers last season, mucking in with 13 goals. The most important being his strike that beat Andy Warrington at the League Two Play-Off Final. The Daggers will hope to keep the talented winger as they prepare for League One football.

FC - George Purcell - Braintree Town  

Essex clubs are renowned for producing top quality strikers and last season was no different. Despite Braintree not reaching the play-offs, the Gravesend-born front-man scored 18 goals and finished second top scorer in the Blue Square Conference South. Inevitably, Rod Stringer may now have the hard task of keeping hold of the striker who reportedly is being scouted by a host of Blue Square Premier and Football League clubs.

FC - Warren McBean - Chelmsford City

McBean gets in to the Essex XI despite only joining Chelmsford in April. The controversial candidate scored 22 goals this season, although 18 came at Kent side Bromley. The ex Barnet trainee is a proven non-league striker who has a tremendous scoring record at every club he has been at, including Farnborough Town and Sutton United. Chelmsford City will be hoping that McBean's goals can help them reach the Blue Square Premier next season.

FC - Paul Benson - Dagenham and Redbridge

A Essex XI without Paul Benson is like a slice of toast without butter. Originally on the books of Essex rivals Southend United, Paul Benson's meteoric rise up non-league football to the third tier has been somewhat of a fairytale. Signed from the Essex Olympian League, Benson took to league football like a hot knife through butter and last season was no different. After snubbing the chance to move to Shrewsbury in the summer, the loyal frontman scored 20 goals, with the last one being at Wembley taking Dagenham and Redbridge to League One.

Substitutions

Darren Bechet - AFC Hornchurch

Darren Bechet has had trouble holding a down a first-team place since starting his career as a trainee at West Ham United. However the former Yeovil Town and Cambridge United keeper has had a superb season for AFC Hornchurch helping them to a 9th place finish in the Ryman Premier League. The 23-year old has made some vital saves during the campaign and is rated highly by the Urchins.




  


Scott Doe - Dagenham and Redbridge

Doe had a shaky start to his Dagenham career but once played in his favoured position at centre-back alongside Mark Arber, was one of Dagenham's most consistent performers. Only 21 years old, Doe looks to have a bright future in the game.

Anthony Wordsworth - Colchester United

Product of Colchester's successful youth set up, 21 year old Anthony Wordsworth came on leaps and bounds under Aidy Boothroyd. Last season saw Wordsworth stamp his mark on the U's first team making 36 appearances and scoring a very impressive 11 goals. Wordsworth was not one to shy from the bigger occasions either, scoring in important matches such as Charlton, Millwall and of course; both Southend fixtures. We watch with interest to see how he fares under the leadership of John Ward.

Martin Tuohy - Aveley

Martin Tuohy narrowly misses out on the Essex XI. The striker scored 24 goals last season in the Ryman Premier League, however this wasn't enough as Aveley failed to get promoted. Tuohy has followed manager Rod Stringer to Braintree this summer hoping to make the step up to the Conference South.

Russell Pond - Billericay

The ex Colchester trainee was voted Billericay player of the season, producing some impressive performances in defence.

Kenny Clark - Thurrock F.C
Kenny Clark narrowly missed out on the Essex XI after a solid season for Thurrock at the back. The former Dagenham and Redbridge player played 37 times in the Blue Square Conference South last season, helping Thurrock to a encouraging 10th position. His performances were rewarded by winning Supporters' player of the season. Only 21 years old, Clark has already made 100 appearances for the club and looks to have a bright future.