Rugby Town FC’s annual awards ceremony took place at the Butlin Road hospitality suite last Friday, and despite what proved to be a disappointing year for the club in its diamond anniversary campaign, there was a still good turnout from Valley’s supporters for the night.

It was to be an evening dominated by the goalkeepers, with regular first team stopper Louis Connor scooping three of the main awards and his youth team counterpart Ashley Bodycote pulling off a clean sweep in his category.

Connor was named players’, fans’ and Vice Presidents’ player of the year whilst also sharing a new award from the supporters’ club with Mason Rowley, with Bodycote – who made three appearances for the first team last season – securing the nominations of both the youth team players and supporters as well as departing manager Dan Gibson, who himself picked up the Roy Miller Memorial Shield for his invaluable contributions to the side over many years.

Valley boss Gary Moran’s trophy went to striker Chris Sterling, with David Kolodynski racking up the most goals and appearances to earn the Golden Boot and the Bob Giles Memorial Shield.

Levi Rowley secured the Media Star Man award based on the individual man of the match nominations, after he, Connor and Mason Rowley all received a total of six – with Levi getting the nod after his tally came from fewer appearances.

The Call-a-Car and Carl Barnes trophies for dedication and commitment went to Mick Bird and Aiden Print respectively. Bird is retiring from his role as first team kit man after a number of years’ service, whilst 19 year old Print made 23 starts in his first season at the club.

Diesel Binding picked up the Young Supporter of the Year award, and there were the usual thanks for the contributions of the many key volunteers – including Jean & Digby Berry for running the car boot sales, Tom Crinigan for organising the Goalden Goal sponsorship scheme, Veronica Wilkins for her matchday hospitality and Tony Mann for co-ordinating away game travel.

MC for the evening Club Director Mike Yeats reflected on the disappointing outcome of the season which saw the club relegated out of Step Four of the non-league football pyramid, before ending on an optimistic note in hoping for a successful 2017/18 campaign and an immediate return to it.

First Team Awards
Manager's Player of the Year	Chris Sterling
Players' Player of the Year	Louis Connor
Kit Dand Memorial Supporters' Player of the Year	Louis Connor
Vice Presidents' Player of the Year	Louis Connor
Golden Boot	David Kolodynski
Media Star Man	Levi Rowley
Bob Giles Memorial Appearances Trophy	David Kolodynski
Call-a-Car Commitment Award	Aiden Print
Supporters' Club Player of the Year	Louis Connor & Mason Rowley
Club Awards
Carl Barnes Memorial Shield	Mick Bird
Youth Team Players' Player of the Season	Ashley Bodycote
Youth Team Manager's Player of the Season	Ashley Bodycote
Youth Team Supporter's Player of the Season	Ashley Bodycote
Young Supporter of the Year	Diesel Binding
Roy Miller Memorial Shield	Daniel Gibson

Click on a photo to enlarge >>

	All of the winners celebrate
	Louis Connor took home the Players' Player of the season receiving the award from Assistant Manager Martin Sockett
	Chris Sterling collected the Manager's Player of the Year award from boss Gary Moran
	David Kolodynski won the Golden Boot award with his 28 goals
	Louis Connor collects the Vice Presidents Award from Director Mike Yeats
	Louis Connor won the Kit Dand Memorial Supporters' Player of the Season presented by Jim (left) & Tony Dand
	David Kolodynski won the Bob Giles Memorial Shield, presented by the Giles family for the most appearances during the season.
	Aiden Print was awarded with the special Carl Barnes Memorial Award, presented by Carl's mum Rita & brother Dale
	Mick Bird, our retiring Kit Man, was rewarded with the Call-a-Car Award for commitment, presented by Tony Mann
	Diesel Binding were recognised with the Young Supporter of the Year award
	Life-long fan Jim Dand was recognised for his continued support
	Digby Berry & Jean Berry were once again thanked for their contribution to the Car Boot by Director Mike Yeats
	Dan Gibson picked up the special Roy Miller Memorial Shield for his efforts towards running the youth team
	Young goalkeeper Ashley Bodycote was awarded with all three Youth Player of the Season awards including Managers, Supporters & Players' Player
	Striker Chris Sterling is presented with one of Martin Pulley's action photographs by chairman Brian Melvin
	Kit man Mick Bird is presented with a team photo as a momento of the season
	Defender Mason Rowley is presented with one of Martin Pulley's action photographs by chairman Brian Melvin
	Levi Rowley is presented with one of Martin Pulley's action photographs by chairman Brian Melvin