Sutton United defender Simon Downer may have made 48 appearances this season, but even he is reluctant to rest this summer.

Downer was named first team players’ player of the year at the club awards on Saturday night, with midfielder Anthony Riviera picking up the main player of the year and leading scorer Craig Watkins collecting the sponsors player of the year trophy.

The Gander Green Lane squad and management fly to Malaga for an end of season holiday this month, having missed out on Blue Square South play-off final appearance and Surrey Senior Cup final glory last week.

But 30-year-old Downer is adamant the break is something he can live without, given he would be keen to start the season all over again next week if he had the chance.

“It is a long hard season and you do have your aches and pains and stuff, so it is good to get away to recharge the batteries,” he said.

“But everyone is here because we want to play football.

“When that first Saturday comes around where you are not playing, it gets to 3pm and you don’t know what to do with yourself.

“You just want to be back playing football with the boys. “We are footballers and we want to play.”

United boss Paul Doswell picked up the Barry Aplin clubman of the year award – in memory of the club’s late chairman of the board – and Downer could not think of a more deserving recipient.

“Paul is right up there with the better non-League managers around,” he added.

“Sutton wouldn’t be where they are now if it wasn’t for him and he deserves all the credit he gets.”