Nathan Ashmore says Ebbsfleet’s players should be proud of what they’ve done this season – whether they stay or go in the summer.

The goalkeeper was voted player-of-the-year by Fleet supporters for the second year running, having kept 16 clean sheets in 45 league games.

Ashmore has been ever-present throughout a turbulent campaign at Stonebridge Road.

He said: “It’s been a long, hard season, physically and mentally. To get within two games (of the play-offs) with all the troubles that we’ve had, on and off the pitch, is testament to the players.

“You can only reflect on the results, how good the lads have been and the tight-knit group that we have in the performances over the course of the season.

“That’s something we can take if we stay and if players go.

“It’s the core of our team, sticking together as a group. It’s been a massive part of our journey.”

Ashmore has suffered racist abuse from the terraces this season and was confronted by pitch invaders at Chesterfield in January.

But since then he’s played some of his best football for Ebbsfleet as proved by his latest award.

“I’m absolutely ecstatic with that,” he said. “It’s a great achievement.

“It’s been a tough season but it’s nice to get rewarded and I thank everyone that voted for me as well as the players I’ve been playing with all season.”

Ashmore took his baby daughter onto the pitch after Monday’s defeat to Dover.

He said: “As soon as she was born, that was one of the first things that came into my head, to walk out with her at the last home game of the season.

“It was a great and proud moment for me.”