THE nominations are in and now it's time to start voting as we reveal our non-league all-stars for 2018/19.

With the help of Gazette readers, we're looking to find the cream of the crop in terms of our finest semi-pro talent.

We asked for nominations for the best managers, goalkeepers, full-backs, centre-backs, wingers, midfielders and striker.

And thanks to you, we now have shortlists featuring the top-five contenders in each of those categories.

Starting today, we'll be running a poll every weekday - kicking off with our manager.

Those in the frame are Brightlingsea Regent's Tom Rothery, former West Ham defender Julian Dicks (Heybridge Swifts), Mark Ashford (Witham Town) and Thurlow Nunn League pair Tom Austin (FC Clacton) and Kieron Shelley (Harwich and Parkeston).

"All five can be proud of the seasons they enjoyed at their respective clubs," said Gazette sports reporter Matt Plummer.

"Tom Rothery guided Regent from the relegation zone to mid-table safety in the Bostik League premier division, as well as memorable runs in the FA Cup and FA Trophy.

"Julian's Swifts were in the Bostik League division north play-off zone since the turn of the year and won the final, after a dramatic penalty shoot-out against Maldon and Tiptree.

"They were desperately unlucky not to get promoted but, nevertheless, it was still a very successful season.

"Despite the meagre resources at his disposal, Mark guided Witham to safety, using his coaching expertise to nurture the club's best young talent and making them competitive in a very tough division (Bostik League division north).

"Tom Austin rightly won plenty of admirers for his work at Clacton.

"Despite a limited budget, it turned out to be a record-breaking campaign as the Seasiders finished sixth in the Thurlow Nunn League premier division - their best-ever finish - and managed a record 19 victories.

"Last but certainly not least, our readers nominated Kieron, who helped Harwich defy all expectations in their first year back at step six level (Thurlow Nunn League division one south).

"They finished fifth, having been in the promotion picture for much of the campaign, and memorably strung together a 12-game winning run, equalling a post-war record previously set in 1964.

"All five managers had a brilliant year and it's going to be fascinating to see who gets most votes in our poll."

Nominations could feature players from any of the senior sides we cover, from National League Braintree Town through to the Thurlow Nunn League.

Iron players could be in the mix, as could star men from Bostik League quartet Brightlingsea, Swifts, Maldon or Coggeshall Town.

There have also been some eye-catching performances from our step five players, from Thurlow Nunn League premier division pair Clacton and Brantham Athletic and Stanway Rovers, then of the Essex Senior League.

Or will our polls feature players from Thurlow Nunn League first division south sides Halstead Town, Wivenhoe Town, Harwich, Little Oakley, Holland FC, Coggeshall United, Brightlingsea Regent Reserves or Braintree Town Reserves?

Tomorrow, we'll start another poll to determine our top goalkeeper.