THE Kent Exiles changed their American football outfits for dinner jackets to celebrate their best-ever season with a special awards ceremony.

Not only did the Exiles finish as unbeaten winners of the Division Two Southern conference title, they also reached the national championship final and played their first-ever European fixture.

The players' player award went to Dan Smith in the youth category and Paul Samartin in the senior category.

Smith spent the season as a rookie but showed excellent potential despite injury and he now steps up for a season with the senior team.

Samartin, who also won defensive player of the year, made a huge impact in his first season with the club.

Other winners were Dave Maisey, Gary Ead, Pat Turner, Oliver Rick, Joe Alexis, Lee Nash and Carl Alexis.

However, the longest standing ovation went to former head coach Phil Wood who was presented with an engraved plaque listing his record with the Exiles.

The club move into the new season, starting with a trip to the Southern Sundevils in Hampshire in May, with new head coach James Mitchell.

They are back in training and both the senior and youth squads welcome new players. Anyone interested should contact the team via their website kentexiles.co.uk or by sending an e-mail to contactus@kentexiles.co.uk