THE decision was yours and today we can reveal that Jason Bristow, Matt Cot, Steve Buttle and Neil Young are this year's choices as Gazette players of the season.

More votes were cast than ever before as Gazette readers shied away from the goal and try scorers in their choice of the most popular players at the three top winter sports clubs in Basingstoke.

Basingstoke Town defender Bristow has scooped the award for the second year running, capping another excellent season with the Camrose Blues outfit.

During the season he picked up his first cap for the England semi-professional team against Combined Services.

Unfortunately for Bristow, he has had to sit out the final games of the season after suffering a knee injury in the game at Gravesend and Northfleet earlier this month.

Speaking about the award, assistant Town boss Pete Peters said: "I am pleased for him. He is a solid defender and is one of our most consistent players. He is a true clubman who always tries his best for the team.

"You can see how we have missed him in the last few, having conceded nine goals in two games."

Cot, the rock of the Basingstoke Bison defence, has had another excellent season for the herd, his second since joining from Bracknell.

The 36-year-old from Vancouver, who finished third in the Gazette Sports Personality Awards, just edged out club captain Mike Ellis.

Charlie Colon, his coach of last season and the man responsible for bringing Cot to Basingstoke, said: "It is wonderful that the readers have voted for Matt as he is a true professional who turns up to play every night.

"It is so easy to give awards to a player who scores lots of goals. Matt must stop more than a netminder during a game and it is nice that that has not gone unnoticed."

The voting for a Basingstoke rugby club player of the year produced a split vote.

Joint winners were front row forwards - generally the unsung players in rugby - Buttle and Young.

At 42, former professional boxer Buttle switched from the back row to prop to cover for Hampshire player Steve Collins until his mid-season return from injury.

Former Hampshire under-21 captain Young, now 25, has held down the loosehead position all season, forcing Collins to return at tighthead.

Club coach Ian Calder said: "Both have been at the club a long time and it's good that they've been recognised.

"Steve Buttle has played his first year at prop and he's done it really well. He's a great club man.

"Neil Young has been consistent throughout the season and it's good that both have won. Both have showed the spirit in the club."