Our annual presentation evening was held at The Sharnbrook Hotel on Friday May 11th.
With the end of season highlights playing on the big screen, around 150 supporters, management and players from the 1st, Elite and U18 squads enjoyed a 2 course buffet giving them the chance to reflect on the successes of the season which was followed by the presentation of the annual awards.
The evening started on a sad note with the news that long-standing supporter and member, Yvonne Grant, passed away suddenly during the week. Yvonne had attended many Presentation Evenings and was well-known at Nene Park, The Dog & Duck and most recently, at Hayden Road. She will be greatly missed by everyone at the Club.
Chairman, Ralph Burditt opened the formal part of the evening by thanking all the players, management, coaches, sponsors, supporters and volunteers for all their hard work over the 2017-18 season and looked forward to the challenge of playing in the Southern League Central next season.
Rupert Armitage from Auto Windscreens was then presented with signed home and away shirts and before congratulating the 1st team on gaining promotion and also the U18s on regaining the Dave Joyce County Cup. We are looking forward to working with everyone at Auto Windscreens again next season.
James Waller presented David and Teresa Hales with a special volunteer award from the NFA for their outstanding contribution to the Club.
U18 Awards
Darren Purse reflected on another successful season for the MAA U18 scholars during which they won the County Cup, had a very successful run in the FA Youth Cup reaching the 3rd Qualifying round anmd achieved their pre-season target of finishing 5th in the League. He then presented the following awards:
Ken Dobbs Young Player of the Season – Tom Cocking
Players’ Players of the Season – Lee Goldsborough
Elite Awards
Howard Willmott then reflected on a season of great improvement for the Elite squad and looked forward to continued improvement next season and the introduction of the new U18 Strive squad. Howard and Richard Maxwell then presented the awards for the squad:
Manager’s Player of the Season – Isaac Watson
Players’ Player of the Season – Cameron Mabbutt
1st team Awards
Manager, Andy Peaks then took to the stage to reflect on an outstanding season for the 1st team. Firstly he thanked the many volunteers who have helped out at the Club without whom it would have been difficult for the team to achieve success. He also thanked all the sponsors, supporters, Board members and his management team for their support before turning to his players. Freely admitting that this is the best group of players he has worked with, Peaksy made special mention of Ben Heath who he felt had an outstanding season following the departure of Matt Finlay and Club Captain, Liam Dolman who had been as reliable as ever and is probably one of the best players in the League.
April Player of the Month – Ben Farrell
Supporters’ Player of the Season – Ben Farrell
Players’ Player of the Season – Ben Farrell
Manager’s Player of the Season – Liam Dolman
Chairman, Ralph Burditt, then presented the Volunteer of the Season Award. This award is always a difficult one to choose but the winner was unanimously voted by the Board this season. Tim is well known as our matchday programme seller who provides a warm welcome to supporters coming through the turnstiles. He worked incredibly hard as part of the ground improvement team last summer and is always ready and willing to have a go at anything.
Volunteer of the Season – Tim Sams
Goal of the Season (voted for by those present on the evening)
Goal of the Season – Spencer Weir-Daley v Aylesbury Utd
A very enjoyable evening was had by all and we’d like to thank everyone for making the evening such a great success.
Special mention to everyone at The Sharnbrook Hotel for hosting the event for us, to Club sponsors Auto Windscreens and Fuelsell and also to Adrian House at PW House Jewellers for their dedicated and continued support.
