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Celebrating
a Successful Year
Tuesday,
11th May 2004
Rugby
United's players, officials
and supporters gathered at the
club's VS Bar at Butlin Road
last Friday night to celebrate
the success of their 2003-04
campaign, and for the presentation
of the team's end of season
awards... |
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There
was much to celebrate, as the
club's best league performance
for 10 years had secured them
fifth spot in the Dr Martens
Western Division, and in turn
a promotion to the Southern
League Premier Division in 2004-05.
United Director Mike Yeats opened
the evening by reflecting on
the various highs and lows of
the season, contrasting the
disappointment of a pair of
defeats to late goals at the
hands of eventual title winners
Redditch, the F.A.Cup exit at
home to Eastwood and a poor
performance at Stourport, with
the satisfaction of the scintilating
4-0 destruction of Ilkeston
on their own turf, gritty displays
to take maximum points from
trips to fellow promotion chasers
Gloucester and Team Bath, the
pre-season visit of a talented
Aston Villa XI - where a crowd
in excess of 700 saw the new
stand officially open on a scorching
summer's day, and on New Year's
day when another large Butlin
Road crowd saw local rivals
Bedworth dispatched thanks to
a 4-1 victory.
Mike also recalled the season's
ultimate high, which bizarrely
came on the back of a rare away
defeat in the campaign (at Halesowen),
when it was confirmed that results
elsewhere had nevertheless meant
the season's main objective
had been reached, and the club
would return to premier level
status once more.
There were six main awards for
the 1st team squad on the night,
with defender Adam Hart and
striker Robbie Beard scooping
two apiece. Hart picked
up the Players' Player of the
Year for the second season running,
and also added the Vice Presidents'
Player of the Year award to
his collection. Beard's
nineteen goals made him a clear
winner of the top goalscorer's
prize, and his popularity with
the crowd was confirmed when
he received the Supporter's
Player of the Year trophy.
It was also a successful night
for two locally based youngsters,
with Rory Squire securing Tony
Dobson's award for Manager's
Player of the Year, and Gary
Moran picking up the John Hillier
Shield for his consistent contribution
throughout the season.
Rory's award was particularly
well-received by the crowd on
the night, and comes in his
first season as a first team
regular starter, having progressed
through the club's junior, youth
and reserve ranks.
Reserve team Player of the Year
was shared between goalkeeper
Paul Shepherd and young defender
Richard Mallon, and the United
youth team awards were also
confirmed - with twins Ed and
Tom Neal sharing Mick Golding's
Manager's Player of the Year,
and Paul Saunders scooping the
Players' Player honour.
It was generally a night of
thanks and praise, and Yeats
congratulated the entire management
team and playing staff on their
achievements this season.
Special mention also went to
the club's fans for their support
throughout the campaign, with
Yeats explaining, "A successful
team needs good supporters,
and I'm delighted for them."
A number of key contributors
behind the scenes were also
acknowledged, as was the importance
to the club of the many sponsors
who continue to provide an important
source of revenue to assist
with the club's advancement.
A hearty buffet, a quick witted
comedian and a rousing disco
completed the evening's agenda,
as thoughts and conversations
turned to the challenges ahead
next season, with hopes that
2004-05 turns out to be as successful
and rewarding as the season
just past.
SUMMARY OF AWARDS
Players' Player of the Year
: Adam Hart
Manager's Player of the Year
: Rory Squire
Supporters' Player of the Year
: Robbie Beard
Vice Presidents' Player of the
Year : Adam Hart
Golden Boot - Top Goalscorer
: Robbie Beard
John Hillier Shield : Gary Moran
Reserve Team Players of the
Year : Paul Shepherd and Richard
Mallon
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