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Thursday 9th June 2022

William Hill Championship

cinch Championship Team of the Season - 2021/22

Read more about the selections for the cinch Championship TOTS below!

GK – Zach Hemming (Kilmarnock) – The Bishop Auckland-born goalkeeper joined Killie on loan from Middlesbrough at the start of the 21/22 campaign. He would go on to play a crucial role in the Ayrshire side’s title-winning campaign, keeping 15 clean sheets and making 95 saves. Hemming was an ever present between the sticks, making 36 cinch Championship appearances. How Killie fans would love to see him back at the club for its Premiership return!

DEF – David Carson (Inverness CT) – A player who has made himself a fans’ favourite in his three years in the Highlands. Naturally a central midfielder, Carson has blossomed into one of the lower leagues’ top right-backs under manager Billy Dodds. Tireless running, energy and guile have allowed Carson to adapt to, and thrive in, his new position with ease. An integral component to the Caley Jags making it all the way to the cinch Premiership play-off final.

DEF – Thomas O’Brien (Arbroath) – The beating heart of an Arbroath back line which kept a joint league high of 18 clean sheets, en route to an improbable second-place finish. O’Brien is arguably the finest part-time defender in the country. His leadership qualities, positional play and defensive nous has seen the Lichties skipper go from strength to strength with each passing season, with 21/22 being probably his best to date.

DEF – Ricky Little (Arbroath) – 21/22 was Ricky Little’s ninth season in the maroon of the Lichties. A player who has grown with the club and epitomises the incredible upwards trajectory of the Angus side under the leadership of Dick Campbell. Little has gone from being one of the best defenders in the fourth tier, to the third, and now the second! A remarkable rise, and a fantastic season from one of Arbroath’s longest-serving players.

DEF – Robbie Deas (Inverness CT) – Having joined Caley Thistle permanently in 2020 from Celtic, after impressing in loan spells with Cowdenbeath and Alloa Athletic, Deas has grown to become one of the Championship’s most consistent performers. Whether operating centrally, or on the left side of defence, Deas brings a physical presence, along with fine ball-playing ability to the Caley back line. Aged just 22, the future looks very bright for Deas!

MID – Fraser Murray (Kilmarnock) – Signed from Hibernian in the summer, Murray’s maiden Rugby Park campaign has been a remarkable success. A player equally as comfortable playing on the left or right flank, Murray’s pace and creativity made him a Championship full-back’s nightmare in 21/22. Nine goal contributions and many outstanding displays (including a sensational performance in Killie’s title-winning victory over Arbroath), the 23-year-old is one to keep an eye on in next season’s Premiership!

MID – Rory McKenzie (Kilmarnock) – It’s quite incredible to think that Rory McKenzie is only 28 years old! A regular feature in the Killie team across the last decade, McKenzie showed his class in key moments in the Ayrshire men’s title-winning campaign. Capable of creating chances out of nothing and renowned for his tireless work rate. Killie’s local hero had a campaign to remember in 21/22 as Derek McInnes’ side bounced back to the cinch Premiership at the first time of asking.

MID – Scott Tiffoney (Partick Thistle) – One of the lower leagues’ most exciting players. Tiffoney’s pace, direct running and eye for goal have made him the first name on Ian McCall’s teamsheet at Partick Thistle. Signed permanently in summer 2021 after a successful loan spell at Firhill, Tiffoney has gone from strength to strength. 10 goal involvements, accompanying his trickery and pace, have shown the Thistle number 7 to be one of the cinch Championship’s top attacking talents in 21/22.

FWD – Kyle Lafferty (Kilmarnock) – Quite simply the best signing of the winter transfer window. Lafferty’s Rugby Park return proved to be the catalyst which truly kick-started Killie’s title charge. Eight goals and two assists in 14 cinch Championship appearances, Lafferty’s impact at Killie cannot be understated. Crucial goals against Dunfermline, Partick Thistle & Raith Rovers, as well as bringing a different dimension to Kilmarnock’s front line, the Northern Irishman continues to show his class at age 34.

FWD – Brian Graham (Partick Thistle) – From scoring the goals to fire Thistle to the League 1 title, to scoring the goals to fire the Jags to the play-offs in the Championship, Brian Graham is a real Firhill favourite. Quite simply, Thistle are a far greater attacking threat when Graham plays than when he doesn’t. With 17 cinch Championship goal contributions at age 34, the powerful centre-forward is showing no signs of slowing down. Graham will be a crucial component if Thistle are to be title contenders in 22/23.

FWD – Michael McKenna (Arbroath) – The star man in the cinch Championship in 21/22. Michael McKenna’s meteoric rise over the last 12 months has been nothing short of sensational. Going from a central midfield role, to being deployed more as an out-and-out forward, McKenna added great levels of productivity to his already stellar all-round game. He scored 15 goals and assisted eight in a season where he collected individual accolades from both cinch and the PFA. A top season from a top player!

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