The Magnificent Seven: Our Top League 2 Players of the Season

Phew!

After a breathlessly exciting campaign in Ladbrokes League 2 which saw the title tussle and relegation battle go down to the final day, before the drama of the play-offs, the dust has now settled.

Which means it’s time for Ladbrokes News to select our top performers of the season. And following much debate, here’s who made the cut:

Ricky Little (Arbroath)

The talented right-back was part of the Red Lichties side who came so close to promotion back in 2014-15, and his displays this term were an integral factor in why they snatched the league title from under Forfar Athletic’s noses this term.

Tough-tackling but skilful, the 28-year-old represented everything good about the Angus club this campaign. And while the next man in this list may have grabbed many of the headlines, nobody in the Arbroath ranks was more reliable than Little.

Ryan McCord (Arbroath)

Having performed well for Championship Raith Rovers in 2015-16, it was something of a coup for Dick Campbell to lure the midfielder to Gayfield last summer. No surprise then that he’s been one of the top performers in League 2 this season.

Possessing a superb range of passing, real athleticism and a keen eye for goal, he’s been the Red Lichties biggest creative force, notching up 13 goals and helping create a fair few more.

Danny Denholm (Forfar Athletic)

While they were pipped to the title, the Loons deservedly won promotion through the play-offs following a 7-2 aggregate demolition of Peterhead. And as always, Denholm played a huge part.

The skilful midfielder – similarly adept on the left or right flank – chalked up 14 goals league goals in 2016-17, including two in the play-offs. Several, like his opener in the 2-2 draw at Clyde, were spectacular.

Also a regular provider of assists, it’s no surprise Forfar ended the season as top scorers (on 69 goals) with Denholm in their ranks.

Jean-Guy Lucas (Annan Athletic)

The fact Lucas will get the shortest section in this piece is a compliment to the player. A tidy, reliable and pacy left-back, he’s been a mainstay of the Galabankies backline this term. At just 22-years-old, it’s rare to find a defender so consistent, but the Frenchman has hardly put a foot wrong since arriving last summer.

Shane Sutherland (Elgin City)

Lethal.

If we had to sum the Elgin striker up in one word, that’s it. Despite missing the final eight games of the season through injury, he still finished the campaign as League 2’s top scorer, finding the net 18 times in 24 games.

A player with a rare talent for both spectacular goals and instinctive tap-ins, he swung one game after another in City’s favour.

In his absence, they failed to win any of those final eight matches, slipping out of the play-off spots. With the 26-year-old still recovering from a cruciate injury, we can only wish him the best. Get well soon, Shane!

Andrew Stobie (Edinburgh City)

He may have started the season as second-choice keeper behind Calum Antell, but the 26-year-old Stobie soon took over the reins, with a string of impressive displays seeing him retain his spot between the sticks – and help City avoid relegation.

Gary Jardine’s men had shipped goals at an alarming rate in the season’s early weeks, but with Stobie as custodian, they managed six clean sheets in 23 games – and didn’t concede more than three in any single game. Not bad in a league known for its goal-fests.

Peter MacDonald (Clyde)

Simply put, the evergreen striker was the difference between Clyde avoiding the relegation play-off and an unstoppable descent into the bottom spot. He netted 17 of the club’s 49 goals this term (or 35%), and consistently crafted a host of chances for the likes of David Gormley and Sean Higgins.

Having also been the co-interim manager of the club alongside Jon-Paul McGovern for part of the season, it’s fair to say he’s done enough to earn a rest over the summer!

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing