Midfielder Mark Byrne cleaned up at the Gillingham end of season awards on Saturday night.

He walked away with four trophies including the main award, the supporters’ player-of-the-year.

Byrne, 29, played 47 games, scoring four goals, one of which was voted by fans as the goal of the season.

He described his volley against Bristol Rovers - the fourth goal in a 4-1 win - as being his best goal ever.

Fans following the Gills away from home also voted him as their player of the season but it was the players’ player award which Byrne savoured more than them all.

He said: “I am delighted with what I have won, I thought I would be in and around but I didn’t actually think I would win it.

“I am delighted with the fans’ award but the players’ player award is the one for me, they know what I put in every week, they see me every day, more of me than my family do. I train the way I play and that is what I will always do, I always give 100%.”

Asked about his goal, he said: “It’s the best goal I have ever scored. I didn’t break stride and I hit it so nicely. I have scored some good goals over the years, I don’t do tap-ins! I am delighted to have won that.”

Gabriel Zakuani was voted in third for the fans’ player-of-the-year award and goalkeeper Tomas Holy was the runner-up.

The young player-of-the-year award went to Jack Tucker, the captain of the under-18 team who this season won the Merit League 1 under manager Ben White.

Tucker, who turns pro this summer, made his debut for the Gills during the 2017/18 campaign, appearing as a substitute in the live televised game against Portsmouth.

There was also an award for special achievement, the Elliott Scally Cup, which went to Eric Hawkins. The 87-year-old still works at the club on matchdays, having started as a steward in the 40s.

Mr Hawkins said: “I hope everyone helps this club like I have done.”

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Gills chairman Paul Scally praised the attitude of the players this season.

“The guys gave every ounce of blood,” he said.

“Even at times when things haven’t gone well, I have been in that dressing room and they have been distraught to lose.

“They deserve the credit because they battled through that and faced a lot of challenges, they have shown spirit and they have shown passion and above all they have shown honesty, It’s been a pleasure working with them.”

Awards were also handed out to the players of Gills' ladies team, with the young player award going to Millie Waud and Courtney Shanly walking away with the player-of-the-year trophy.