I’ve been putting together a post-season Combined Wrexham XI from our men’s and women’s teams for the last three years, and this time it’s been particularly fascinating.

Both teams achieved the highest league finishes in our history, so I’ve had an even tougher job than usual this time!

Only an idiot would try to whittle two squads full of quality down to eleven players: so here goes!

In goal, we’ve got a choice between Arthur Okonkwo and Lizzie Craven. Okonkwo stepped up to the plate superbly when Danny Ward was injured at Millwall, further cementing his immense popularity with the fans.

For me, the highlight of his season was the courage he showed after a horrible error at Swansea lost us the Welsh derby. He bounced back without hesitation, capping his achievement with a fine display in the return fixture, including a brilliant save from Championship top scorer Žan Vipotnik.

However, Lizzie Craven has earned the nod in this team. She also bounced back from an error which cost a goal in our first home game, when she was tackled in the penalty area, but showed character to continue to show courage with the ball at her feet, which is not only a strength of hers but also integral to how we play.

She has a knack for pulling off saves at crucial moments in high stakes games, but her zenith was undoubtedly when we won the first major trophy in our history.

The Adran Trophy Final against Cardiff went to penalties and Craven set about being a hero. I’m not exaggerating: she did a lot more than just play a leading part in the shoot-out.

When our talisman, Katie Barker, missed our first penalty, it was a punch in the guts. Seeing Ffion Price, notoriously the best striker of a dead ball in the division, step up to take The Bluebirds’ first kick hardly made things feel better. She was bound to score, it seemed. Craven, however, refused to read the script and dived to her right to save.

Mariam Mahmood put us ahead and Craven then saved City’s second kick in similar fashion. She had turned the mood round completely: suddenly we were cock-a-hoop and City were flailing around. We didn’t miss another kick and victory was assured.

Both sides play with a back three, which helps me a little. The two skippers, Dom Hyam and Katie Barker, are shoo-ins for two of those positions. They have been inspirational signings and excellent leaders, each raising our standards at the back.

Both will receive fine rewards for their efforts: Hyam is off the the World Cup, while Bartle will be captaining us in the Champions League, having already gained continental experience at Eurovision!

There are plenty of candidates for the final central defensive slot. I’m plumping for Callum Doyle, who has oozed quality both in defence and with his use of the ball.

Maria Francis-Jones only arrived in the mid-season transfer window, but she made an instant and sustained impact. Hitting a screamer into the top corner with your weaker foot to grab a late equaliser in a cup final isn’t the worst way to mark your debut, and she has continued to set high standards at right wing-back.

On the other flank is the most surprising story of the season. George Thomason was an early arrival in the Summer, and as we accumulated quality central midfielders his prospects of holding down a regular spot seemed slim, especially as an injury wiped out the first couple of months of the season.

Who could have anticipated that he would respond to an injury crisis by slotting in at left wing-back for the first time in his career and become a fixture in the team, excelling with his energy, directness and quality on the ball.

I’m going for a box midfield, as that’s seemed to be the fashion in North East Wales for much of the season. The double pivot is made up of Matty James, who battled through the pain in the run-in to pick up where he left off before an injury halted a campaign characterised by typical composure on the ball and a natural ability to sniff out trouble and intervene.

Alongside him, Josie Smith would be a perfect complement. She is remarkably consistent and rarely wastes possession. Her versatility came to the fore early in the season as she filled in across the defensive and midfield positions, but she became even more valuable when she settled in the centre of the pitch.

The two number tens have been sensational. Faye Knox is absolutely unplayable on her day, which seems to be every Sunday! Full backs fear being isolated against her as she cuts in from the left, but doubling up on her doesn’t make much difference. Trebling or quadrupling isn’t usually the answer either!

Alongside her, of course, is Josh Windass. His technique when striking the ball is remarkable, his sang froid under pressure is remarkable and he doesn’t look like he cares. How cool can a guy be?

Which leaves the lone striker. I admit I’m cheating slightly, as Katie Barker usually plays as a ten, but she’s clearly a forward, and we use her in a slightly more withdrawn position because she’s so phenomenally quick, she can still operate as if she’s lurking on the shoulder of the last defender. She set the league record for most goals in a season, so I think it’s fair to say she can play up top!

There are so many of my favourite players missing from that eleven, but It’s hard to make a case against any of my choices not being in the team though: I’ll just have to write a few grovelling letters of apology and move on.