SEASON END AWARD WINNERS

at the X Keys function room on Saturday evening incorporating 3 race meetings and curry supper. The occasion, which was well attended, was for the presentation of the player awards. The winners being;

1st Team
1st Team leading goalscorer – Adam Dickens – 45 goals
1st team Manager’s player of the year – Adam Dickens
Players Player of the Year – Ross Middleton
Secretaries Player of the Year – Dan Flint
Website player of the year – Adam Dickens

2nd Team
Leading goalscorer – Aaron Clarke
2nd team Managers Player of the year – Aaron Clarke
Players player of the year – Ben Coker

Chairman
Chairman’s Player of the Year – Leigh Mason

Chairman's speech
Welcome to our presentation evening which almost signals the end of our season but not quite as we have a small matter of a return to the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Before everything else I would like you to recognise the efforts of our secretary, Bernard, who week in week out serves the club with distinction. Having spent some time undertaking that particular task I recognise fully his contribution as well as the additional tasks he takes on such as his remarkably accurate and unbiased match reports.

When the whistle goes Bernard’s task continues 24/7 and I know you will all agree that in Bernard we have simply the best...

Also I would like to mention Wayne who unfortunately can’t be here due to a wedding, Wayne is the chief instigator behind us playing at Bisham and not me as some may think. Wayne organises and controls this element as well as being a club benefactor and of course chief organiser and pitch boundary erector...

Also a mention for young Kizza who week in week out drags the kit in and then returns it as well as other tasks which the team imposes on him……next season you are collecting the balls as well!...

I would also like you to acknowledge our main sponsor Mick Kellas, without the Cross Keys financial support as well as the food supplied every Saturday home or away this club would be in a far worse place than it finds itself today….thank you Mick.

Finally to the friends of this football club who anonymously donate funds to help pay for the excellent facility at Bisham which enables us to perform at the highest local level. You know who you are and we thank you profoundly………a hand for the friends of Marlow United please.

We mustn’t forget the reserve team and Lynchy and Gabb’s have turned this around and set things nicely up for next season and to the players I say hang in there, this seasons excellent third place will be bettered, guaranteed. Having seen them perform against Taplow United on Monday evening there are one or two I can see knocking on the first team door next season.

Ill now hand over to Bernard who will lead the proceedings before coming back to me for the presentation of the final two awards.

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For my first award, although it’s not actually mine as its generated by our website and takes into account such things as appearances, bookings, goals, assists, clean sheets etc. and consolidates all of this objectively into overall points, and in 4th place was – Ollie Flint with 122 points – 3rd place Jonny Mason with 136 points - 2nd place was Leigh Mason with 177 points. The winner with a massive 265pts and average 8.34 performance points per match is ADAM DICKENS.

Before I move on to my award, one which I was uncertain of to be honest as I don’t want to appear to be showing any kind of favouritism but having looked at everything objectively with the help of the website and then added my personal point of view I’m happy that my selection is correct and my judgement is non-prejudicial. My selection criteria was reduced to those who have played 30+ games this season which I think you will agree is correct and proper and this reduced my problem to 9 players, suspensions and injuries taken into account were the main reasons for many others not qualifying but such has been our season I fully intend mentioning everyone so sorry if I go on a bit but it’s the very least they deserve.

But first our manager Nick who took over the helm at the beginning of this season. When the team walked off the pitch at Iver back in September it was obvious we had something special on our hands and that is down to Nick and his personality and endeavour, well done Nick it’s been a pleasure…………. I think Nick would be the first to recognise the efforts of Gary Wiltshire who led us through some dark days following our demise from the Hellenic League so a special thank you to Gary as well in this our moment of triumph.

A quarter final defeat in the county cup was disappointing for all of us, we got caught out that day and of course 3rd place in the league was below our expectations but we applaud Reading YMCA, they are champions and deserve it. However our cup is more than half full and the tremendous victory at Madejski on Thursday evening sets us up nicely for this coming Tuesday’s final. I only mention the negatives because I believe our players haven’t yet completed the job and next season offers much for those who wish to right a few wrongs, including;

Carl Murray who was steadfast between the sticks for the first half of the season before handing over to the equally adept Kyle Bradley who if you recall made a perhaps match defining save just before half time Thursday evening. Not forgetting Greg Murphy who stood in as and when required and did so admirably.

Jamie Tripp, a class act if I have ever seen one and we definitely want you back next season!

James Flint, whose energy and contribution on the pitch left us all worn out. James is a son of this football club and exemplifies everything on the pitch that we try to achieve.

Callum Coull who reminded us Thursday evening particularly in the second half of what a class act he is. We want more next season Callum!
Ollie Flint, is there a better player out there? Injuries and suspensions thwarted his season but he still managed to hit the net 18 times.

Mitch Woodward, as good a central midfield player as I have seen and he too must stay!

Mike Robinson who contributed 13 times this season.

Matt Stringer, a class defender whose contribution was invaluable.

Andy Nicol, what can I say as his 2 goals at the Madejski are far more eloquent than I could ever be? 2 more, maybe, on Tuesday Boxer?

Club Captain, Steve Gabb who as ever stood in the breach when called upon.

These were the principles and there were others who when called upon stood tall for the team therefore we also thank Scott Benyon, Andy Young, Aaron Clark, Mark Rowley, Bowler, Dan Pedley, Gary Wiltshire, Tom Coleby who all made an on field contribution to the first team not forgetting of course Tristan Heywood who stood in the breach for us on Thursday evening.

But now for my Chairman’s award and the nine who represented the club 30 times or more.

Dan Flint, 37, our skipper and someone who in my mind grew into the job as the season progressed and by season end became undroppable. One of this football clubs favourite sons.

Jon Mason, 35, for me this was Jon’s best season in a United shirt showing consistency and 15 goals demonstrating why he is so sought after.

Nick Flint, 34, our manager extraordinaire, who somehow managed to balance playing duties with managerial duties so effectively.

Vinnie Cuva, 33, I labelled him an impact player earlier in the season and that was fully intended as a compliment and those who saw the impact he had against Westwood recently will know why but he did this consistently throughout the season.

Leigh Mason, 33, What can I say about Leigh our playmaker. I bawled him out at the Madejski on Thursday but only because I expect so much of him. For me to say the team is built around him is the biggest compliment I can pay him. He also scored 23 goals which I think has been overlooked.

Adam Dickens, 32, 45 goals speaks for itself but his overall contribution shouldn’t be forgotten a tremendous player and thoroughly nice bloke, can we keep him? He deserves an appearance at the Mad Stad and I hope he returns fit and well for it. Adam will be receiving a further award on Saturday which I’m sure he will share amongst his team mates!

Matty Letts, 32, an ever present all season and contributed greatly particularly at times of need, well done Matty!

Ben Filmore, 30, has been with us forever and a personal favourite of mine. I felt the real Ben Filmore stood up for us last Saturday and Thursday evening and that came as no surprises to me whatsoever and nothing pleased me more.

Ross Middleton, 30, what surprised me this season about Ross was not that he set an example to all on the pitch, he always does, but that he set it left back being such a right footed player but he was nothing less than magnificent. A year’s extension to your contract is on the table Ross!

It was when I got to this point that I started wishing I hadn’t proposed this award. I stripped out the goals and then put them back because they of course form a big part of our season. I then looked at ‘man of the match’ awards followed by ‘assists’ hoping the website would guide me as it did. It was then that I added subjectivity and I looked at a calming influence when things weren’t going right and who filled me with confidence by his mere presence and it was still neck and neck!

In the end I decided to lift my head above the parapet and the Chairman’s award goes to……….Leigh Mason

Thank you all for coming and see you Tuesday!

Updated 07:40 - 6 Sep 2019 by Alan Turner