Rugby Town FC’s annual presentation evening was held in the club’s hospitality suite on Friday 4th May, and the Butlin Road event was well attended by players of both the first and youth team squads alongside an equally good turnout by Valley’s supporters.
The main awards were fairly evenly split on the night, with a different recipient in each voted-for category.
Town striker Ruben Wiggins-Thomas topped the players’ poll, with now-departed boss Dave Stringer picking out skipper James Dance for his man of the season nomination.
The Vice Presidents plumped for centre-half Sean Castleton, whilst the supporters recognised the midfield contributions of Josh Ruff.
Dance also scooped the most appearances shield after missing just three games all campaign, but Wiggins-Thomas just edged him for the Media Star Man crown based on man of the match awards – with his seven nominations coming from less appearances than the club captain’s equal total.
David Kolodynski won the Golden Boot for most goals in the season, after he topped the scoring charts for the sixth year in a row with a total of 29 strikes - meaning he ended six ahead of his nearest challenger Wiggins-Thomas.
Kit man Mark Cross took home the Carl Barnes Memorial Shield after a commendable first year in the role, whilst the efforts of another of Stringer’s backroom team were recognised with a special award for coach Andy Iland.
The youth team votes were won by Kasey Hughes (players’ player), Jack Spears (manager’s player) and Charlie Green (supporters’ player), with the Roy Miller Memorial Shield presented to Alex Hart.
The efforts of two of the Catteralls’ coach drivers (Mark Graham & Terry Dunn) that take Town’s players and fans to away matches were rewarded by the presentation of the Call-A-Car Trophy, and two of the club’s far flung supporters (Jim O’Driscoll & Steve Townsley) shared the Clubman of the Year award.
Jim often travels from Ireland to watch Town in action, with Germany-based Steve another occasional long distance traveller.
The contributions of all the club’s volunteers were noted by MC for the evening Club Director Mike Yeats, with particular praise for the efforts of Digby Berry and Veronica Wilkins in organising the car boot sales and matchday hospitality respectively.
Yeats also thanked the ongoing support of all the club’s sponsors – with special acknowledgement to Stanair who stepped in to help fund the youth team squad at late notice in addition to their existing commitments to the first team.
|
First
Team Awards |
Manager's
Player of the Year |
James Dance |
|
Players' Player of the Year |
Ruben Wiggins-Thomas |
|
Kit
Dand Memorial Supporters' Player
of the Year |
Josh Ruff |
|
Vice
Presidents' Player of the Year |
Sean Castleton |
|
Golden
Boot |
David Kolodynski |
|
Media
Star Man |
Ruben Wiggins-Thomas |
|
Bob
Giles Memorial Appearances Trophy |
James Dance |
|
|
Club
Awards |
Call-a-Car
Commitment Award |
Mark Graham & Terry Dunn |
|
Carl Barnes Memorial Shield |
Steve Townsley & James O’Driscoll |
|
Special Award |
Andy Iland |
|
Youth Team Players' Player of the Season |
Kasey Hughes |
|
Youth Team Manager's Player of the Season |
Jack Spears |
|
Youth Team Supporter's Player of the Season |
Charlie Green |
|
Roy Miller Memorial Shield |
Alex Hart |
|
Click
on a photo to enlarge >>
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All
of the winners celebrate |
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Digby Berry (right) is recognised for his hard work with the Car Boot Sale by Club President Pete Kilvery |
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Veronica Wilkins (left) is recognised for her continuing Match Day Hospitality efforts by Club President Pete Kilvery |
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Supporter Jim O'Driscoll (left) and Josh Ruff (right) receive special awards from director Mike Yeats |
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First team coach Andy Iland collects the a special award from Director Mike Yeats |
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Youth player is awarded a trophy by youth manager Josh Hearne-Wilkins (right) |
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Youth player is awarded a trophy by youth manager Josh Hearne-Wilkins (left) |
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Youth player is awarded a trophy by youth manager Josh Hearne-Wilkins (right) |
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Eddie Machile, presents an award to a youth player |
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James Dance (left) receives the Manager's Player of the Season from Dave Stringer |
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Defender Sean Castleton won the Vice Presidents Award |
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Coach drivers Terry Dunn (left) & Mark Graham (right) won the Commitment award |
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Josh Ruff won the Kit Dand Supporters' Player of the Season award |
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James Dance picked up the Bob Giles Memorial Shield for making the most appearances |
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Kit man Mark Cross collected the Carl Barnes Memorial award |
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Ruben Wiggins-Thomas picks up a momento of the season to celebrate Martin Pulley's excellent photography |
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James Dance & David Kolodynski collect a momento of the season to celebrate Martin Pulley's excellent photography |
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Assistant Manager Ross Miller is thanked for his efforts |
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Manager Dave Stringer collects a bottle from Pete Kilvert |
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Youth manager Josh Hearne-Wilkins takes home a bottle in recognition of his efforts after his first season in charge |
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Youth Mason Rowley is presented with one of Martin Pulley's action photographs by chairman Brian Melvin |
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Supporter Jim O'Driscollis presented with a bottle to recognise his support from Ireland |
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Director and MC for the evening Mike Yeats is thanked by Pete Kilvert |
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