Ryan Doherty was the big winner at Welwyn Garden City's annual presentation event.

The powerful, young defender was manager Marc Weatherstone’s choice for his player of the year and was also voted in as the young player.

Now 22, Doherty has played under three bosses in his time at Herns Lane but despite his versatility, capable of playing at full-back and in a defensive midfield role, Weatherstone has made him his first-choice central defender, a position he clearly feels at home in.

He joined WGC five years ago, as did Cyrus Babaie, the other major winner of the evening.

The forward was given the accolade from his peers, winning players' player after shining following a summer injury.

The versatile Lewis Franklin was the supporters' player of the year, an award presented by Andy Cornish on behalf of the fans, while a special presentation was made to another central defender in Yasin Boodhoo, after he completed 150 appearances for the Citizens.

Boodhoo rejoined the club half-way through the season from Colney Heath, having previously played for the club for six seasons during their Spartan South Midlands League glory days.

He is now fully fit again after a serious knee injury.

Weatherstone, who was handed the reins in December following the departure of Max Mitchell to Potters Bar Town, has hailed the work been done by the squad over the second half of the season, a campaign which ended with them in eighth, seven points off the play-offs.

"It’s been a highly successful half-season for us here at Welwyn," said the gaffer.

"To be in with a chance of the play-offs with just three games to go was beyond our initial hopes.

“When we took over, a lot of players had left the club very quickly. We slowly re-built the squad and they have gelled really well.

"That’s hats off to my staff and in particular, my assistant Josh Urquhart who has done a great job in all respects."

And with the season now officially done and dusted, Weatherstone is turning his attention to the new campaign, one he believes could see Welwyn push higher up the standings.

He said: "With a couple of tweaks, I believe we will very competitive next season.

"Our away form since the turn of the year has been outstanding, it’s promotion form.

"We will address the home form and come back stronger next season."