Nightingale and Elphick share major honours at awards night

Sun May 3, 2009 : 10:44

Gary Elphick and Luke Nightingale shared the major honours at last night’s End of Season Awards presentation; Elphick taking the much coveted Supporters’ Player of the Season trophy, and Nightingale the Player’s Player.

Fans, officials and players alike packed the Westleigh Park clubhouse to reflect on what most admitted has been a season that fell some way short of its goal, but one that has been a learning curve for a still enthusiastic and committed management partnership; a partnership who will now take time to consider the best way forward for the Hawks on the pitch.

Unlike last season, early summer signings are not expected. A new self imposed wage cap has been put in place and negotiations are ongoing with players in and out of contract.

Speaking about the current financial climate, one which has seen the Hawks’ income from sponsorship drop dramatically compared to this time last year, Shaun Gale said that his intention is to look to younger players coming out of league clubs hungry to impress to boost his side, and his intention next season is to secure a playoff position. No details have as yet been announced as to who will stay or go from this season’s side.

It was also announced that while the home and away kits will remain the same for next season, the orange third strip will be replaced by a new design similar to the blue and black stripes of Inter Milan.

Through an unsettled season, the highs perhaps didn’t stand out as well as they have done in the past. Kevin Scriven’s penalty save at Shortwood United now seems a long time ago, but propelled the Hawks to another successful FA Cup run that saw the side 3-0 winners at then play-off potentials Crawley Town, before hosting Brentford and ITV’s cameras at Westleigh Park in their third consecutive first round appearance.

The last minute turn around at Eastleigh in the Setanta Shield, winning at Chelmsford City in what optimistically felt like a title decider at the time, and Gary Elphick’s heroic battle with bandages during the game against AFC Wimbledon also reminded those present that the season was not without its memorable moments.

The awards themselves started with the HawkSupport Player of the Month for April, which was presented by Rebecca Mottershead to rejuvenated midfielder Shaun Wilkinson.

The Club’s Golden Boot went to Craig Watkins for his tally of 12 league and five cup goals, presented to him by Malc Jamieson.

HawkSupport’s Unsung Hero award, chosen by the HawkSupport Committee and given to individuals whose contribution to the game goes largely unrecognised, was given to Martin and Darren Matthews for the work they have done in preserving one of the best pitches in the league throughout the season. The award was presented by Simon Lynch.

Then followed a new award given in memory of Hawks Supporter Don Jacks, who died earlier in the season. Presented by his grandson Lewis Roberts, the award is given to the player who accumulated the most votes overall from the nine Player of the Month votes. Craig Watkins was the overall winner, with Gary Elphick and Ian Simpemba in close second and third places.

The Supporters’ Player of the Season was presented to Gary Elphick by Tracey Emery, with Craig Watkins and Ian Simpemba in second and third place.

The two awards decided by the club were then presented by Shaun Gale, in the absence of Club Captain Jamie Collins, who was in Las Vegas for last night’s boxing match.

The Club’s Young Player of the Season went to Nathan Ashmore, whose eleven appearances this season have shown the Academy’s number one keeper to have gained confidence in playing senior team football.

The announcement of the Player’s Player of the Season met rapturous applause from the players at the bar, presented to Luke Nightingale with Craig Watkins and Ian Simpemba in second and third place.

The Hawks Ladies are still three weeks from the end of their season with a League Cup Final still to come on May 17th, meaning an absence of presentations as yet, but the side’s third successive league championship, secured last week, was celebrated along with the news of promotion to the South West Combination League, the third level of Women’s Football in England, which will see the side face off against teams including Plymouth, Yeovil and Swindon next season.

Stu Page gave an impassioned speech about the connection between South Downs College and the Hawks giving committed youngsters a genuine chance to play semi professional football, with more Academy names expected to feature in the first team next season. While Jack Farrugia’s car accident has over-shadowed the Academy’s season, with Fudge continuing to make good progress toward recovery in hospital, the side were able to celebrate winning the Conference South A League, and also their second round FA Cup match against Barnet.

Connor Geoghegan was named the Manager’s Player of the Season, and Ryan Arnell the Reserve Team Player of the Year. Stu Page also presented an Unsung Hero award to Danny Mackney.

The new Ladies Academy side were also present, with the Manager’s Player of the Season award there being presented to Lauren Paul. The Player’s Player of the season was presented to Molly Clark, and next season’s Captain was announced as being Lauren Cheshire.

The hour long presentation concluded with the most coveted of the Club’s Awards; the Clubman Trophy. Given annually by the Hawks’ Board to individuals for commitment and contribution to the club over the year, this season saw the trophy shared by two people for the third time in succession. Simon Lynch, who stood down from editing the Club’s programme after a run of five seasons and 158 issues last week, and Tracey Emery, whose stalwart presence in her blue ‘TARDIS’ selling them, were presented with the trophy by Adi Aymes.

Pictures by Dave Haines


Click for printable version (opens new window)
Return to News