Dean Lodge reckons Kingstonian will be one of the teams to beat in the Ryman Premier next season - regardless of whether he returns to Kingsmeadow.

Lodge’s future remains uncertain after a season that saw him depart to Northwich Victoria, only to return to help fire Alan Dowson’s men to the Ryman Division One South title.

And the 23-year-old reveals he will not be rushed into any decision.

Lodge said: “A lot of clubs have been offering me deals and at the moment I really don’t know where I will be next season.

“I’m not going to rush into anything and I have to take my family into account.

“I may well come back to Kingstonian but at the moment it is anybody’s guess.

“I played for them in the lower division, so why would I turn down the chance to play for them in a higher league?

“But at present it is just watch this space.”

The tricky winger returned to Kingston in March and played a vital role over the last 13 games of the season as Kingstonian overcame their mid-season wobble.

And Lodge is happy to have played his part, wherever the future takes him.

He added: “I always said I wanted to come back and help the club get promotion and I am very proud that I was able to do that.

“With or without me the club is going to do well next season.

“They have the nucleus of a very good squad there and the younger players are now coming through and pushing the senior players on to greater heights.

“Alan is definitely the right man for the job - everyone respects him and he will take the club a lot further.”

Lodge has one final momento from his stellar season to look forward to when he is a VIP guest at Wembley this weekend for the Chelsea-Everton FA Cup Final.

The forward earned player-of-the-round honours after firing all four goals as Kingstonian saw off Braintree Town 4-0 in a qualifying round game back in September.

But he admits it was not quite the final he had been hoping for.

Lodge added: “I am a Man Utd fan so I’m pretty gutted they missed out.

“So I will be cheering on Everton on Saturday - in fact I shall have to buy an Everton shirt later this week!”