Sam Merson has been named St Albans City’s Supporters’ Player of the Season after an impressive campaign for the Saints.

The forward was presented with his award in the wake of Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Hampton & Richmond Borough.

A host of other gongs were handed out later in the day as City held their End of Season Awards ceremony at the Verulam Golf Club.

Tom Bender was named Junior Player of the Year, while Ian Allinson selected Soloman Sambou as his Manager’s Player of the Season.

Goalkeeper Dean Snedker won the Player’s Player of the Season prize and the John Wangford Memorial Trophy for goal of the Season went to Percy Kiangebeni for his effort against East Thurrock United.

The Clubman of the Season Award was fittingly given to Clive Churchhouse, who passed away after falling from the Clarence Park roof in July.

Merson added to his Player of the Season prize with the top scorer accolade while David Noble finished with the most assists.

While the awards ceremony offered a chance to reflect on the positives of the campaign, Saturday’s loss to Hampton left plenty to be desired.

The defeat leaves City seventh in the National League South table and in danger of missing out on a play-off spot with one game remaining this season.

While City are still in the play-off places, they are level on points with Truro City having played a game more than their rivals.

A place in the end of season shake up is, therefore, out of their grasp should Truro win all of their remaining games.

Saturday’s game had been billed as a season defining clash against City’s fellow top seven rivals and the hosts made the worst possible start to trail after 10 minutes.

Hampton’s go ahead goal came from a straightforward source as a corner was sent into the box and Charlie Wassmer was on hand to head a powerful effort home.

City responded well to the set back, but required a gift from the Hampton keeper to pull level after he came for a long throw and got his punch all wrong.

The sliced attempt to clear fell for Zane Banton and he controlled before volleying in to make it 1-1 in the 39th minute.

However, a lapse of concentration ahead of the interval proved fatal for the Saints and they went in trailing at the break.

Shaun Jeffers was allowed to run clear on goal and force a smart stop from Snedker who could only parry the ball back to the Hampton man.

The City stopper was powerless to stop Jeffers’ second attempt and he found the net to make it 2-1 at half-time.

City rallied after the interval and should have been level again on the hour when Merson missed the target after going through on goal unchecked.

Bender also went close with a header before Hampton struck a decisive blow with 12 minutes to play.

Again a set-piece proved to be the Saints’ undoing as Taurean Roberts found the net with a well taken free-kick.

City conclude their season with an away day against Bath City on Saturday.