SGK – Calum Ferrie (Queen’s Park)
Queen’s Park weren’t able to get over the line in their cinch Championship promotion push but in Ferrie they had a reliable last line of defence.
The 24-year-old made an incredible 135 saves in his 36 league appearances - the most in the division and a full 38 more than second place Brian Schwake of Greenock Morton.
Ferrie kept a league-equalling 11 clean sheets across the campaign as the Spiders reached the Premiership play-offs only to be undone by Partick Thistle.
DEF – Lee Ashcroft (Dundee)
Dundee had the meanest defence in the cinch Championship and Lee Ashcroft played a big part in making the Dens Park men so hard to score against.
The former Killie and Dunfermline defender made 42 appearances across the campaign, helping to keep 16 sheets in all competitions.
As well as his ability to defend his own box, Ashcroft is a threat in the opposition penalty area, scoring three times including that incredible last-day decider against Queen’s Park at Ochilview.
Ashcroft will be hoping to continue his 22/23 form in the cinch Premiership after being rewarded with a new two-year contact.
DEF – Ryan Sweeney (Dundee)
The Dundee skipper had the honour of lifting the cinch Championship trophy aloft in his final act in dark blue.
Sweeney may be moving on from Dens Park but there’s no doubting his influence on the club’s title win, leading the rearguard and putting his body on the line for the cause.
With five goals scored, the Irishman combined with Ashcroft to cut imposing figures at attacking set plays.
Dundee fans are sure to look back at the defender’s contribution fondly as they prepare for life back in the top flight.
DEF – Harry Milne (Partick Thistle)
Milne earned rave reviews for his performances for Cove Rangers as they clinched the 2021/22 cinch League 1 crown and he continued that form with Thistle in the cinch Championship.
A rampaging full back, Milne gave opposition midfielders and defenders plenty to think about as he powered down Thistle’s left flank to create chances for team-mates and relieve the pressure on his fellow defenders.
While injury ruled him out of the play-off push, the 26-year-old’s contribution for the Jags was recognised widely at the season’s end.
MID – Lyall Cameron (Dundee)
It was breakout year for Lyall Cameron as the 20-year-old played a starring role in Dundee’s cinch Championship title win.
A calm, creative presence in the middle of the field, it was fitting that he should score in the match which clinched promotion after impressing the Dundee faithful with his all-action performances.
A hat-trick in a 7-0 win over Hamilton Accies was one highlight as Cameron scored 14 times in 39 appearances.
The youngster has signed a new deal with Dundee with hopes high that he can replicate his fine form in next season’s cinch Premiership.
MID – Grant Savoury (Queen’s Park)
A driving force in a hugely rewarding season for the Spiders, Grant Savoury enjoyed a brilliant first season in the cinch Championship.
Adept at timing his arrival into the box at the right moment to either score or set up a team-mate, Savoury found the net 10 times this year as Queen’s Park made a push for the league crown.
Doubles against Hamilton Accies and Arbroath saw Savoury rewarded with the Player of the Month prize for December and he continued to impress in 2023.
After suffering an injury in the play-offs, fans are hoping for a speedy recovery to allow the 22-year-old to show his talents once more in season 2023/24.
MID – Malachi Boateng (Queen’s Park)
An unsung hero in the Queen’s Park midfield, Boateng made a big impression during his loan spell from Crystal Palace.
An industrious player who is comfortable on the ball and possesses an eye for a pass, the 20-year-old looks to have a promising future ahead of him.
Boateng produced some big moments in the season’s closing stages with goals against Greenock Morton and Partick Thistle but he makes this team for his all-round displays across the campaign.
MID – Kyle Turner (Partick Thistle)
One of the cinch Championship’s outstanding performers, Kyle Turner had a year to remember and at the age of 25 – there’s room to grow even better.
A box-to-box midfielder, Turner scored seven goals and produced nine assists as Thistle peaked during the season’s run-in.
Full of energy with an eye for goal, the 25-year-old shone under Kris Doolan’s leadership as the beating heart of this exciting Jags team.
MID – Dom Thomas (Queen’s Park)
A true Championship entertainer, Dom Thomas matched productivity with pieces of magic as Queen’s Park conjured up their own fairytale story.
The ex-Motherwell and Kilmarnock winger topped the cinch Championship assist table with 12 in 35 matches as the Spiders climbed the table.
Thomas also contributed 12 goals of his own with his double in the play-off first leg against Partick Thistle dragging his team back into the tie.
Queen’s Park will be hoping for a similar return from their number 11 in 2023/24.
FWD – Dipo Akinyemi (Ayr United)
Ayr United’s recruitment team struck gold when recruiting Dipo Akinyemi last summer.
Blessed with a mixture of clever movement, strength and finishing ability, the 26-year-old was a revelation in his debut season in Ayrshire with his 24 goals in all competitions acting as the catalyst for Ayr’s promotion charge.
Akinyemi finished the year as the cinch Championship’s top scorer with 20 league goals and was named the division’s Player of the Season for his importance to Lee Bullen’s outfit.
FWD – Brian Graham (Partick Thistle)
A leader on the field as well as off it, Graham is still firing on all fronts at the age of 35.
With 21 goals to his name, Thistle’s number nine remains a brilliant penalty box striker and thrived on the plentiful supply he received from his team-mates.
Graham also brings out the best in his strike partners with eight assists during 22/23.
The experienced campaigner gives Kris Doolan a great platform to build his attack around and the Firhill fan
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