Awards Evening 2023

Midfielder Caine Elliott was once more a big winner at Rugby Town's recent annual presentation evening which was held in the club's Butlin Road hospitality suite.

The award ceremony took place straight after Valley's final home game of what proved to be a fruitful 2022/23 term, as Town secured second place in the UCL Premier South Division and with it automatic promotion to Step 4 of the non-league football pyramid as one of the best-performing runners-up at their level.

Having suffered just three league defeats all season including remaining unbeaten throughout it on the road, Rugby ultimately finished just three points adrift of title winners Coventry Sphinx, and UCL Fixture Director Roger Walker was on-hand to present the players with their hard-earned runners-up medals at the event ably hosted as ever by Town Director Mike Yeats.

Elliott scooped four of the major awards on the night taking home both the Players' and the Vice Presidents' player of the year and the Media Star Man gongs for the second season on the bounce, whilst also securing the supporters' nomination this time round too.

The 21 year-old also shared the Most Appearances shield with goalkeeper Matt Hill, with Jordan Wilson and David Kolodynski splitting the Golden Boot top scorer award between them with 20 goals apiece across the season.

Manager Carl Adams plumped for his popular player/coach Liam Francis as his player of the year, with Mark Graham receiving the Clubman of the Year trophy for what event MC Yeats described as "going above and beyond" in his coach driver's role for players, staff and supporters on away matchdays.

Neil Gurney and Steve 'Titch' Franklin were also rewarded for their involvement in organising transportation throughout the season in receiving the commitment shield established in memory of ex-Valley stalwart Tony Mann, which was presented by Tony's son Paul on the evening.

Kealan Bott's dedicated support for the team was recognised with a Young Fan of the Year award, and Yeats also acknowledged the invaluable contributions of numerous other club officials and volunteers during the successful campaign.

The Valley Youth Team Player of the Year was also named at the ceremony, with Ryan Sahota receiving an award from manager Tim Orford after his first season at the helm saw Town's Under 18 side preserve its Midland Floodlit Youth League Premier Division status.

First Team Awards
Manager's Player of the Year	Liam Francis
Players' Player of the Year	Caine Elliott
Jim & Kit Dand Memorial Supporters' Player of the Year	Caine Elliott
Vice Presidents' Player of the Year	Caine Elliott
Golden Boot (Joint Winners)	David Kolodynski & Jordan Wilson
Media Star Man	Caine Elliott
Bob Giles Memorial Appearances Trophy	Caine Elliott & Matt Hill
Club Awards
Tony Mann Memorial Trophy - Commitment Award	Neil Gurney & Steve Franklin
Clubman of the Year	Mark Graham

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	Edwin Ahenkorah (right) is presented with a photo memento of the season - presented by Director Mike Yeats
	The award winners
	Matt Hill (left) and Caine Elliott were joint winners of the Bob Giles Memorial Shield for Most Appearances - presented by Bob's family
	Caine Elliott (left) is presented with a photo memento of the season - presented by Director Mike Yeats
	Caine Elliott (left) with The Players' Player of the Season - presented by Player/Assistant Justin Marsden
	Caine Elliott (left) with The Jim & Kit Dand Memorial Supporters' Player of the Season - presented by supporter Tony Dand
	Caine Elliott (right) with the Vice Presidents' Player of the Season - presented by Director Mike Yeats
	Liam Francis (right) with the Manager's Player of the Season - presented by Carl Adams
	Supporter Steve Franklin (right) collects the Clubman of the Year award on behalf of Mark Graham from Club Director Mike Yeats
	Supporters Neil Gurney (left) and Steve Frankin (centre) are presented with the Tony Mann Memorial Trophy by Tony's son Paul
	Kealan Bott (right) is presented with the Young Fan of the Year Award by Club Director Mike Yeats
	Ryan Sahota (right) is presented with the Youth Player of the Season Award by manager Tim Orford
	Josh Thomas (right) is presented with a photo momento of the season - presented by Club Director Mike Yeats