Top boss Garrard gets the big vote

By Neil Harvey

MONTHLY GONG: Luke Garrard

Luke Garrard has won many accolades for spearheading Boreham Wood’s unlikely title challenge – now he’s picked up the National League Manager of the Month award for December as well.

Garrard, 40, who also won the award for September, was chosen by a selection committee made up of NLP editor-at-large Matt Badcock, DAZN pundit Aaron McLean and the National League’s Media & Broadcast Officer, Tom Scott.

Honoured ahead of Scunthorpe United manager Andy Butler, Aldershot’s John Coleman and Adam Lakeland of FC Halifax Town, Garrard enjoyed a storming end to 2025 by dumping out Newport County in the FA Cup.

The Hertfordshire club then beat Carlisle United, Wealdstone and Solihull Moors to plant themselves front and centre in the title race.

Also honoured is FC Halifax Town playmaker Josh Hmami, whose form in December just couldn’t be ignored.

An FA Trophy hat-trick against FC United of Manchester grabbed the attention, while the talented 25-year-old chipped in with goals in the National League, against Wealdstone, Altrincham and Tamworth.

Meanwhile, Adam Murray picked up the Manager of the Month award in National League North after leading Kidderminster Harriers to five wins from five to end the year.

Harriers were the only club to get the better of AFC Telford United in December, while also taking out title contenders in South Shields and AFC Fylde, as well as local rivals Hereford on Boxing Day and Worksop Town in the FA Trophy.

AFC Telford’s Matty Stenson took the player award with his five goals ensuring nobody has scored more for the club since their reformation in 2004.

Stenson, 31, notched crucially against Chester, Altrincham and Southport this month as the Shropshire side continue to climb and fight on both fronts.

In National League South, Josh Wright takes the Manager of the Month prize after steering Ebbsfleet United to key wins over Chelmsford City, Tonbridge Angels and Dorking Wanderers to reignite their promotion bid.

Dorking Wanderers playmaker Charlie Carter’s mega month was also rewarded by the panel.

Carter hit six goals in as many games to close out 2025 in style, including a fine hat-trick against Eastbourne Borough, to keep White’s men in the promotion mix.