No one has done more than Sam Corne to get Maidstone into the National League South play-offs.

The player-of-the-year presentation confirmed as much, with Corne a double winner on Saturday afternoon.

He collected the manager’s award from Stones boss George Elokobi and won the supporters’ vote by a landslide.

Corne missed the final months of last season with a knee injury but was back with a bang in 2023/24.

With the play-offs to come, the midfielder has scored 13 goals and provided 10 assists in all competitions while dragging his side through games with his tireless commitment.

He scored in three successive rounds as Maidstone reached the last 16 of the FA Cup, including winners against Stevenage and Ipswich.

“Over the course of the season, the gaffer could have picked from a handful of players who’ve had that consistency, so to be at the top of the bunch is brilliant,” said Corne, 27.

“It’s nice to be appreciated by the gaffer and the supporters, who are here every week.

“For them to pick me out is a great accolade.

“It’s my fifth season here and even though we had the title-winning season, this is definitely one of my favourites.

“And it’s not over yet because we want to top it off by winning promotion.

“But for myself, playing 50-plus games after my knee injury last season and coming away with the manager’s player and supporters' player is a great feeling.

“The injury was never in the back of my mind but it’s nice to come back stronger after all the rehab and missing the back end of last season.

“The goals mean a lot as well. As a midfielder, you want to create but it’s also lovely to score.”

With Corne taking two of the three awards, goalkeeper Lucas Covolan was named players’ player-of-the-year.

The Brazilian has been ever-present in the league and starred in the FA Cup run, winning the man-of-the-match award in United’s fourth-round upset at Championship side Ipswich.

“Lucas got my vote,” confirmed Corne. “Goalkeepers are sometimes bypassed in terms of how important they are but everyone knows how good Lucas is.

“It would be silly for him not to come away with anything and the players’ player is fully deserved.

“He’s been top-notch throughout the whole season.

“With Lucas behind you, it’s like having an extra player in the team. He’s so important for us.”

Maidstone meet Aveley in a play-off eliminator at the Gallagher Stadium on Wednesday night (7.45pm).

They lost both league games against the Essex side but go into the tie full of confidence after ending the season with eight wins in their last 10 league games, also lifting the Kent Senior Cup.

Saturday’s 5-1 victory over Hampton was the perfect way to finish the regular campaign.

Corne said: “Even though we were already in the play-offs, we knew momentum was massive.

“We wanted to go into the play-offs with that winning feeling and the scoreline speaks for itself.

“Teams are going to fear us but the play-offs are a lottery.

“You’ve got to turn up on the big occasion.

“Every year it gets tougher we’re fully backing ourselves going into Wednesday night.

“We’ve got home advantage and we know there’s going to be a bumper crowd in to boost the boys.”