As usual there was a good turn out for the Presentation Evening including Tim & Helen Bush who were making their annual pilgrimage to the home of football from their place in Spain. Vernon Stokes’s daughter Chrissie had also agreed to attend to present the new Vernon Stokes cup for the supporters player of the year. The evening was conducted immaculately as usual by the Master of Ceremonies our President Alan Garrett who made a couple of special awards before the main event even started. The 1st was to joint secretaries Simon Bull and John Clements who’s hard work has resulted in the club being awarded ‘FA Chartered Standard’ status again. They each received a pair of beautiful cuff-links from the club and the 2nd was a framed club shirt signed by our famous sponsor Marco Pierre White and gifted to out-going Chairman Nick Finch by Nick Taplin. The award was of course made on the strict understanding that he continues with his fundraising efforts!
The main awards were then made as follows
The Arthur Clements Cup – Clubman of the Year – Graham Cheeseman
The Stanley Frappell Award – Young Player of the Year – Callum Vickery
The Golden Boot-Top Goal Scorer – Jake Horton
The Vernon Stokes Cup- Supporters Player of the Year – Leigh White
A Team Players Player of the Year – Dean Rix
A Team Player of the Year – Dean Rix
Reserve Team Players Player of the Year – joint winners Phil & James (father and son) Williams
The Brian Bull Cup Reserve Team Player of the Year – James Williams
1st Team Players Player of the Year – Jake Horton
1st Team Player of the Year – Ethan Johnson.
The team presentations were made by respective managers who all gave amusing reviews of their season. The best was saved until last when ‘Cheese’ got to his feet and delivered a speech that insulted and praised almost everyone in the room in equal measures. His hilarious slap-stick routine had everyone in stitches as he blundered through a list of people to thank. During his routine he found time to thank his players as well as criticise some who were not as committed as he’d like them to be. He also mentioned that there might be some issues with the committees interview process and suggested an urgent review given the uncertain start we had to the season. He then went on to offer praise and generous gifts for some non playing members who help out on match-days. These included Trev’ Cleeves and Graham Lee for the fantastic playing surface, Simon Bull for admin’, John Clements for transport, Hester Hunt for hospitality and Alan White for match reports. There was a special moment when Steve & Isabel Porter received a standing ovation from all the players to acknowledge the huge amount of work they do not only on match days but in raising funds and attending just about every event we ever organise.
Pre-season training starts on Tuesday 3rd July at 7pm at the rec’ and all current players have been challenged to bring a new player along to add to the squad, we’ll see.