Hornchurch manager Jim McFarlane celebrates with the Ryman League Play-Off winners trophy (Gavin Ellis/TGS)

The AFC Hornchurch boss held off the challenge of his Arsenal and Chelsea counterparts to triumph

Hornchurch manager Jimmy McFarlane has been voted as London24’s manager of the year beating Chelsea interim head coach Roberto Di Matteo and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to the award.

Thousands of you voted and the Urchins manager topped the poll with 37 per cent while the Italian closed on 17 per cent and the Gunners boss was third with 14 per cent.

McFarlane led Hornchurch to promotion after they finished second in the Ryman Premier, just three points behind Billericay.

The team won more games than any other in the division, including 15 away wins.

The Urchins beat Bury (3-1) and Lowestoft (2-1, aet) in play-offs to gain promotion to Conference South.

They also beat Conference South clubs Thurrock and Farnborough to reach second round of FA Trophy.

Other contenders were Harry Redknapp (Tottenham), Sam Allardyce (West Ham), Dougie Freedman (Crystal Palace), Chris Powell (Charlton), Terry Brown (AFC Wimbledon), David Norman (Wingate and Finchley), Tom Loizou (Haringey Borough) and Gordon Bartlett (Wealdstone).