Rugby Town’s new hospitality suite played host to its first annual presentation event last Friday, with the club handing out a number of first team, youth team and other awards for the 2014/15 season.

For a change, the first team trophies were relatively evenly split amongst the squad – although centre-half Mason Rowley did get the nod from both the fans and his fellow players, however youth team goalkeeper Josh Hughes carried out a clean sweep of his side’s categories.

Valley’s departing boss Dave Stringer was unable to split the contributions of full-back Craig Kelly and midfielder Richard Blythe throughout the campaign, so they shared the manager’s player gong, whilst the Vice Presidents picked out Rowley’s defensive partner Alex Gudger.

The Media Star Man award – based on the individual man of the match nominations allocated – went to Lewis McBride, with Will Grocott scooping the trophy for the most first team appearances and club captain Robbie Banks securing the Call A Car shield in recognition of his commitment and dedication in the season he made his comeback from a horrendous leg break.

Hughes followed up on his youth team supporters’ player of the year success last year by also topping the players’ and manager’s votes this time round, with manager Roy Miller highlighting his impressive form in goal as part of a campaign in which the team had started poorly but then shown a marked improvement as it continued.

In the non-playing categories, groundsman Steve Sharp received the Carl Barnes Memorial award, the Waugh family were named supporters of the year and Mitchell Gurney the young fan of the season.

Ahead of the presentation of the silverware, Club Director Mike Yeats had thanked the efforts of all concerned with the club, making specific recognition of the hard work and efforts of Stringer – who was leaving after five years at Butlin Road.

He added that whilst the elusive promotion to the Premier Division had not quite been achieved, Stringer’s period at the club had been one of considerable success and the club’s flowing football had often been praised by opposing officials and supporters alike.

Yeats also highlighted the contributions of a number of club volunteers, including Doug and Veronica Wilkins for their respective Secretary and matchday duties, Jacquie Leeson and family for the running of the VS Bar and clubhouse, Tony Mann for his boardroom catering and planning of away travel, and Jean and Digby Berry who provide invaluable funds for the club through the organisation of car boot sales and bingo evenings - as well as the support of all the club’s sponsors, especially first team shirt sponsors Revolution Drivers and their Managing Director Neil Gurney.

First Team Awards
Manager's Player of the Year	Craig Kelly & Richard Blythe
Players' Player of the Year	Mason Rowley
Kit Dand Memorial Supporters' Player of the Year	Mason Rowley
Vice Presidents' Player of the Year	Alex Gudger
Golden Boot	Justin Marsden
Media Star Man	Lewis McBride
Bob Giles Memorial Appearances Trophy	Will Grocott
Call-a-Car Commitment Award	Robbie Banks
Club Awards
Carl Barnes Memorial Shield	Steve Sharp
Youth Team Players' Player of the Season	Josh Hughes
Youth Team Manager's Player of the Season	Josh Hughes
Youth Team Supporter's Player of the Season	Josh Hughes
Supporters of the Year	The Waugh Family
Young Supporter of the Year	Mitchell Gurney

Click on a photo to enlarge >>

	All of the winners celebrate
	Mason Rowley collets the Players' Player of the Season award from director Mike Yeats
	Alex Gudger collects the Vice Presidents Award from Director Mike Yeats
	Justin Marsden won the Golden Boot award with his 12 goals
	Craig Kelly collected the Manager's Player of the Year award from boss Dave Stringer - Richard Blythe was also a joint-winner but was absent on the evening
	Mason Rowley completed an award double by winning the Kit Dand Memorial Supporters' Player Award, colleting the award from Dand family
	It was the first Awards evening hosted in the new function room which was completed in November 2014
	Will Grocott who was not present on the evening won the Bob Giles Memorial Shield, presented by the Giles family for the most appearances during the season - manager Dave Stringer picked up the award on Will's behalf.
	Robbie Banks was rewarded with the Call-a-Car Award for commitment
	David Kolodynski's efforts for the club were recognised with a special award - David broke two club records during the season to become the club's all time top goalscorer & also won Rugby's Sportsman of the Year
	A special Carl Barnes Memorial Shield is presented by Carl's mum Rita & brother Dale to groundsman Steve Sharp for his continued efforts for the club
	Mitchell Gurney is presented with the Young Supporter Award by director Mike Yeats
	Doug Wilkins(right) is thanked for his continued contribution as the club Secretary along with his wife Veronica
	Digby Berry & Jean Berry were once again thanked for their contribution to the Car Boot by chairman Brian Melvin
	Jacquie Leeson is thanked for her continued contributions to the club as the Bar Stewardess
	Main Club Sponsor Neil Gurney of Revolution Driver Recruitment Solutions is thanked for his contributions to the club
	Club photographer Martin Pulley's photos are celebrated with a presentation to Justin Marsden & Mason Rowley
	Youth goalkeeper Josh Hughes scooped a treble of awards including the Youth Players' Player, Manager's Player & Supporter's Player of the season
	Club director Mike Yeats was in great form as the host on the microphone as always
	The Waugh family are recognised for their continued support of Rugby Town