Awards Presentation 2025

Rugby Town's annual awards event was held in the club's hospitality suite two days ahead of the final outing of their challenging season.

Despite Valley's relegation from the NPL Midlands Division having been confirmed earlier that week after the draw at Bedworth, the event was still a well-attended, enjoyable affair as players, management, officials and supporters gathered to reflect on the various contributions made both on and off the field across the campaign.

Club Director Mike Yeats did his usual excellent job at hosting the ceremony, and whilst acknowledging the disappointment of a return to Step Five of the non-league pyramid, he did look to the future with the imminent return to Butlin Road of an academy offering and hopefully bouncing back to the higher level again as quickly as possible.

The main playing awards announced on the night saw popular goalkeeper Paul Hathaway scoop the Supporters' Player of the Year trophy, after the voting process saw him just ahead of second-placed Josh Thomas and third-placed Dan Summerfield.

Hathaway - who has since confirmed his playing retirement at the end of the season and has been appointed the manager at Bolehall Swifts - was also presented with a Most Appearances trophy to mark his ever-present record in the 2024/25 term.

Thomas was Town's departing boss Ian King's choice as Manager's Player of the Year, with Trey Charles earning the Media Star Man honour after he topped the individual man of the match nominations made in match reports throughout the season.

Charles' tally of six saw him one ahead of once-more runner-up Thomas, with Caine Elliott, Chris Clements and Harrison Nee all earning four nominations to share third spot.

Charles also comfortably won the Golden Boot award for most goals scored - having notched 20 times in all competitions, including an impressive nine out of nine from the penalty spot. Charles's 16 league strikes meant he ended up in sixth place in the overall NPL Midlands scoring rankings.

There was a Commitment Award for Tom Binding to recognise his sterling efforts in many different areas across a number of years - including his current role as goalkeeping coach, with the long service of another Valley stalwart Club Photographer Martin Pulley also highlighted in the presentation of the Clubman of the Year gong.

Loyal fan Liam Waleczek received the Supporter of the Year for his continued enthusiasm and impressive attendance record on the terraces, with Steve Troup's dedication in travelling long distances to watch Town matches also acknowledged with the presentation of a bottle from Pete Kilvert.

Long serving defender Liam Francis was another to receive a bottle from the Club President after completing his seventh successive season at Butlin Road.

First Team Awards
Manager's Player of the Year	Josh Thomas
Jim & Kit Dand Memorial Supporters' Player of the Year	Paul Hathaway
Golden Boot	Trey Charles
Media Star Man	Trey Charles
Most Appearances	Paul Hathaway
Club Awards
Tony Mann Memorial Trophy - Commitment Award	Tom Binding
Clubman of the Year	Martin Pulley
Supporter of the Season	Liam Waleczek

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	Paul Hathaway (left) is presented with The Jim & Kit Dand Memorial Supporters' Player of the Season - by supporter Tony Dand
	Goalkeeping Coach Tom Binding (right) was presented with the Tony Mann Memorial Trophy - Commitment Award
	Josh Thomas (left) won the Manager's Player of the Season - presented by manager Ian King
	Trey Charles (left) picked up the Golden Boot for top scorer from Mike Yeats
	Goalkeeper Paul Hathaway (left) also picked up the Most Appearances award, presented by Mike Yeats
	Kartell Dawkins (left) is presented a photographic momento of the season by Mike Yeats courtesy of club photographer Martin Pulley
	Liam Waleczek (left) was the recipient of the Supporter of the Season Award
	Club photographer Martin Pulley (left) was recognised for his efforts with the Clubman of the Year award
	Trey Charles (right) is presented a photographic momento of the season by Mike Yeats courtesy of club photographer Martin Pulley
	Harrison Nee (left) is presented a photographic momento of the season by Mike Yeats courtesy of club photographer Martin Pulley
	Ayo Lekuti (left) is presented a photographic momento of the season by Mike Yeats courtesy of club photographer Martin Pulley
	All the winners