Thornton led from the front in a record-breaking and record-setting year for Maitland who claimed their first top grade premiership and played in their first premier division grand final.

Thornton was recognised at the club's awards presentation night at the Easts Bowling Club on Friday night.

In the other first grade and club awards Zac Thomas was named club player of the year for his efforts on and off the pitch, in particular his work with the club's juniors.

Back at the club after helping it win NPL promotion five years ago, Joel Woods won the players' player and golden boot awards.

The Mapgies also paid tribute to coach Mick Bolch who took out the Northern NSW NPL coach of the year award.

Bolch said he was confident that the club would be one of the power teams of the NPL competition going into the future.

He praised the efforts of the playing group, committee, coaching staff and myriad of volunteers who had made it such as fantastic year for the club.

Bolch said in a year with so many highlights making the FFA Cup tie against the Central Coast Mariners was a huge moment.

"Everything that went into getting the ground, the sponsorship for the lights, the crowd that came along it was fantastic," he said.

"In 20 years of coaching it is probably the highlight of my coaching career, The groundswell of support was tremendous and for the players to be playing in front of 3500 to 4000 people on their home pitch was something else."

Under-18s player Zane Morphew-Watson and Matt Thompson shared the goal of the year with Morphew-Watson landing a screamer from 35 metres out and Thompson's "Miracle at Maitland" goal in the 95^th minute of the semi-final against Magic booking the Magpies their spot in the grand final.

The Marg and Paul Osland award went to Justin Gunther, the Bruce Humphreys Award was awarded to Marg Osland and Nick Tobin was recognised as the club person of the year.

The under-20s most outstanding player and players player was Joe McFadyen. Bohdi Hunter was most improved and Togm Duggan won the golden boot.

The under-18s most outstanding player was Dylan Abela and players player Zane Morphew-Watson. Marcus Stelenberg was most improved and the golden boot was shared by Dan Angel and Morphew Watson

In the Zone competition Nigel Zeeon was the first grade coaches award and players' player went to Justin Barrett. In reserve grade Steve O'Donnell won the coaches award and Will Mirish reserves players' player.