Kyle Dempsey has been voted player-of-the-year by Gillingham’s supporters.

Dempsey had a stand-out first season for the Gills following his summer move from Fleetwood, captaining the side during 2020/21 and leading by example on the pitch.

The player-of-the-year awards were handed out on Sunday in a behind closed doors event at the club.

Dempsey said: “The support that I’ve received since I’ve been here as been the best I’ve received. For the fans to vote for this one I can’t repay you enough.”

Vadaine Oliver, who bagged his 20th goal of the season on Sunday, was awarded the players’ player-of-the-year award.

The striker tweeted: “To me this meant everything to get the acknowledgment from your team-mates who have been with you every step of the way, day in day out, means so much.”

Boss Steve Evans - who was presented with a special certificate for the "most ever yellow cards in the history of Gillingham FC" by chairman Paul Scally - admitted choosing a player-of-the-year this season was tough.

He said: “The 13-14 players that have delivered in the main, they are the players of the year for me, I couldn’t pick one individual.

“I can look at Jordan Graham and a magical season, Vadaine’s 20 goals, Dempsey, O’Keefe coming back with a major contribution and Jack Tucker back as the man we know and love, Connor Ogilvie continues to be outstanding, Bonham in goal, they are fantastic, Jacko as well and if I have missed anyone else I apologise.

“Supporters will have different opinions, some will go for Big V, he gets the winners, some will go for Dempsey who is a class, class player, Jordan Graham has sent many full backs down to the beach this season home and away, he has destroyed most of them. In the first half (against Plymouth) their left-back didn’t know if he was in Gillingham, Kent or the other Gillingham.

“I am just so pleased for the players, they have worked so hard, we task them to work hard and in a Covid year they were nothing short of fantastic, the only thing is we aren’t in a position to applaud our supporters who are the lifeblood of this football club.”

Jack Tucker was named young player-of-the-year and he commented: “The boys have kept each other going, and we'll go again next year!"

Connor Ogilvie won the goal of the season for the second year running, his terrific volley from outside the box against Charlton leaving all of the other entrants in the shade.