ROLY HOWARD
This award is to be received by a man who had a remarkable and unforgettable record as the Manager of his Football Club, achieved by sheer dedication and a love of the game. He was appointed at the start of the 1972/73 season and his reign as the longest-serving manager in football history came to an end in May 2005 after a remarkable three-decade stay at Marine FC.
From his first game in charge on 12 August 1972, he went on to guide Marine to five league titles, 15 County and League Cup wins, the FA Trophy semi-finals and once into the third round of the FA Cup.
An amazing 1,975 games over 33 years, rightly documented when he received a certificate from Guinness World Records, recognising his status and achievement as the world's longest-serving football manager. Roly was also the Manager of the Northern Premier League Representative team for 16 years, another remarkable milestone.
He spent his first seven years as a Manager-cum-Groundsman after spotting the Stockport Manager, Eric Webster mowing the grass before a match at Edgeley Park. Eric told him “They never sack a groundsman, you know” – so Roly volunteered to look after the ground, a good move I think.
The quiet smile of satisfaction says it all. It is as priceless as the memories that the not so much Ancient Mariner but Veteran Mariner reflects upon from his time as Manager at Rossett Park.
Three-and-a-third decades of grass-roots management have not made Roly a financially rich man but a man who can sit with pride in the footballing fraternity, an example to us all. If only it was the same today, how many others will achieve what Roly has?
The League Merit Award to be received by - and to no one more deserving than:
Ladies and Gentlemen
Mr. Roly Howard

Hundreds of guests packed the Brooklands Holiday Inn on Sunday evening as the Evo-Stik NPL host their inaugural Player of the Year awards.

Hosted by League representative John Jones and Caroline Barker of the BBC's Non-League Show, the event featured six individual awards as voted for by the managers of Evo-Stik NPL clubs.

Premier Division Player of the Year
Steve Foster - Chorley

Premier Division Young Player of the Year
Chris Clements - Hednesford Town

First Division North Player of the Year
Shaun Tuck - Skelmersdale United

First Division North Young Player of the Year
Alex Titchiner - Witton Albion

First Division South Player of the Year
Gary Ricketts - Ilkeston FC

First Division South Young Player of the Year
Terry Hawkridge - Carlton Town

As well as the individual awards, the managers also voted players into the Team of the Year for each division.

Premier Division Team of the Year
GK. Ben Hinchcliffe - Northwich Victoria
RB. Kieron Walmsley - Kendal Town
LB. Matt McGinn - Chester
CB. George Horan - Chester
CB. Cheyenne Dunkley - Hednesford Town
MF. Chris Clements - Hednesford Town
MF. Wayne Riley - Northwich Victoria
MF Alex Brown - Chester
F. Mike Norton - FC United of Manchester
F. Steve Foster - Chorley
F. Matty McNeil - Chester

First Division North Team of the Year
GK. Nick Culkin - Radcliffe Borough
RB. Antony Gardner - Witton Albion
LB. Matt Wood - Witton Albion
CB. Graham Kay - Curzon Ashton
CB. Glenn Steel - AFC Fylde
MF. Joe Shaw - Trafford
MF. Joe Booth - AFC Fylde
MF. Bradley Barnes - AFC Fylde
F. Shaun Tuck - Skelmersdale United
F. Alex Titchener - Witton Albion
F. Paul Walker - Garforth Town

First Division South Team of the Year
GK. James Lindley - Hucknall Town
RB. Sam Purcicoe - Grantham Town
LB. Lee Potts - Grantham Town
CB. Phil Watt - Grantham Town
CB. Russell Cooke - Ilkeston FC
MF. Terry Hawkridge - Carlton Town
MF. Nathan Watson - Stamford AFC
MF. Ruben Wiggins-Thomas - Carlton Town
F. Gary Ricketts - Ilkeston FC
F. Paul Grimes - Grantham Town
F. Matt Hadderall - Leek Town

==========

In addition to those awards voted for by managers, the Northern Premier League Facebook group - represented by founding members Bradley Dobson, James Heyes and Gary Andrews - announced their Fans' Player of the Year award, with Cheyenne Dunkley of Hednesford Town winning ahead of Alex Titchiner (Witton Albion) and Ruben Wiggins-Thomas (Carlton Town) in second and third respectively.

Former Marine manager Roly Howard was presented with the NPL Merit Award in recognition of his remarkable service to the Premier Division club - Howard was manager of the Mariners for 1,975 games, spanning 30 years.

==========

Photos and interviews with the award winners are available on the Evo-Stik NPL Facebook page.

==========

A round-up of the awards can be heard on the BBC's Non-League Show, which broadcasts on Monday evenings between 9pm and 10pm and is available through the iPlayer.