It has been a memorable season for Leatherhead boss Richard Brady, despite the air of “what could have been” hanging over Fetcham Grove.

The Tanners, promoted to the Ryman Premier Division last season via the play-offs, finished 10th in the table, nine points off the play-offs.

However, it is a points gap that Brady believes would not exist if injuries had not blotted his book.

“Looking back, I am delighted with the season. They are a great bunch of lads, and they are very honest,” he said.

“Win, lose or draw, they are an enjoyable group to work with, but they also know when it is time to go to work.”

If only Tom Bradbrook had stayed

He added: “I am convinced that if we’d had our players fit throughout the season we would have made the play-offs.

“I had two centre halfs out – I can deal with not having a striker or a winger, but I cannot deal with not having my goalkeeper and two centre halfs.

“Your backline is key and you need it to be solid. Look at Chelsea, they’ve won the league with John Terry, Gary Cahill and Thibaut Courtois – they play week in week out and they have been solid all season, that’s what you need –unfortunately that didn’t happen for us.”