Now, as the end of 2013 is nigh-we will now look back at the very best which the year had to offer, as well as looking at some of the faces who could make a big impact in 2014.
Player of the Year: Ed Upson (Yeovil Town)
The year 2013 has proved to be a memorable for Yeovil Town and Ed Upson has played a pivotal role in the south Somerset club's successes in the last 12 months. Last April, he scored the winning goal in the Glovers' Play-Off semi-final second leg victory over Sheffield United, which gave Yeovil a 2-1 aggregate victory over the Blades.
In their first ever fixture in the Championship against Millwall at the New Den on August 3rd 2013, Upson scored the decisive as the Glovers defeated the Lions 1-0. He is currently Yeovil's top scorer with five goals and looks set to continue playing a key role for the Glovers in their battle to consolidate their status in English football's second tier.
Manager of the Year: Gary Johnson (Yeovil Town)
In 2008, Gary Johnson was 90 minutes away from becoming a Premier League manager when he led Bristol City out in the Championship Play-Off final against Hull City. However, the Robins lost 1-0 to the Tigers-courtesy of a Dean Windass strike- and Johnson left Ashton Gate two years later.
Mixed spells at Peterborough and Northampton then followed before he returned to Huish Park in January 2012 where he set about re-creating the magic of his first spell with the Glovers.
Last May, he surpassed his previous achievements at Huish Park-which included winning the FA Trophy as well as the Conference and League Two titles- by leading the Glovers to the Championship for the first time ever. After finishing 4th in the League One table, the Glovers defeated Sheffield United 2-1 over two legs in the Play-Off semi-finals before beating Brentford 2-1 in the final at Wembley.
Goal of the Year: Jason Banton (Plymouth Argyle vs Exeter City March 30th 2013)
Billed as one of the most crucial Devon derbies ever, the 60th league meeting between Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City was decided by a strike from Jason Banton on the stroke of half-time.
It was Banton's sixth goal of his 14 match loan spell at Home Park, which boosted the Pilgrims' survival hopes and dented the Grecians promotion aspirations.
Loan Signing of the Year: Jason Banton (Plymouth Argyle)
When Jason Banton scored the goal mentioned above against Exeter City, he lifted up his shirt which revealed a T-shirt, which bore the message: 'Keep Calm and Pass to Banton.' It was Banton's sixth goal for the Pilgrims, which ensured that he finished the campaign as Argyle's top scorer.
It also helped to earn him the League Two Player of the Month award for March 2013 and his manager John Sheridan the managerial monthly prize.
Ones to Watch in 2014:
Jordan Chapell (Torquay United)
Since making his loan move to Plainmoor from Sheffield United permanent, Jordan Chapell has proved to be one of the few bright spots in an otherwise largely disappointing year for Torquay United. So far this season, he has found the back of the net five times, with his most recent strike coming on October 26th against Portsmouth after 17 seconds-which is the fastest goal ever scored by a Torquay United player. Heading into 2014, Chapell could have a big influence in helping the Gulls in their bid to beat the drop.
Tom Nicholls (Exeter City)
In recent years, Exeter City have produced a number of players through their youth policy who have gone on to have good careers in the game, including Dean Moxey, George Friend and Dan Seaborne, who have all gone to play at Championship level; as well as Liam Sercombe and Scott Bennett who are currently regulars in Paul Tisdale's side. All the signs are suggesting that Tom Nicholls could follow in their footsteps. Following loan spells at Dorchester Town (twice), Hereford United and Bath City, Nicholls is now on the verge of becoming a regular for the Grecians. His recent strike for Exeter in the Devon derby victory over Torquay United demonstrated his undoubted ability.
Ben Purrington (Plymouth Argyle)
It is fair to say that sport is definitely in Ben Purrington's blood. His uncle Richard Hill was part of the England Rugby Union side that won the World Cup in 2003, and now Purrington is starting to create some sporting history of his own.
After making his debut in the Pilgrims' Boxing Day victory over Oxford United, and he made his first start in their 1-1 draw against AFC Wimbledon three days later. Argyle manager John Sheridan has already stated that he will be starting on New Years Day against Torquay.
