This years extravaganza was held at the Mercure, Brands Hatch with disappointingly low numbers. There seemed to be more from the Youth and Vixens than 1st & 2nd teams, but a most enjoyable evening, nonetheless. Sue Archer and Charlie Stuart did a great job in organising the evening – Sue was often at the end of a short tether (who’d-a-guessed) – but the evening went off with hardly a hitch. She was helped on the night by Harry Pattison and Lizzie Stansfield, Georgie Archer and Amberley Sweeney, so many thanks to these lovely people too.
The guests began arriving about 6 for pre-prandial cocktails, and the excellent magician, Matt Parro (mattparro.com) began to entertain the guests with some outstanding magic – Matt Lane: I lied and he still got me). In fact, Matt (the magician) was so good he kept making the bar staff disappear, which was probably a good thing in some cases as the cocktails were disappearing a bit too fast – another trick of Matt’s or simply a case of thirst?
Gradually, Steve Beale called everyone through to the batcave – or ballroom – for the dinner. (Steve Wilson: Blimey, it’s like having dinner in a coal mine). But I have to say, the food was very good. Plaudits to Steve who took over the job of maitre d’ , directing the servers to the various tables. As we were running a tad late, the meal was interspersed with the award ceremonies.
So, first up were next year’s joint Vixens’ co-captains, Alys Anderson and Charlie Gear-Chatham, who both looked gawjus in their ballgowns (am I allowed to say that? Probably not, but I don’t care – I’m getting on a bit now). In fact, I’ll compound my non-PC degeneracy by stating that all of the ladies looked resplendent, so used are we to seeing them muffled up in winter woollies most of the season, that the transformation was stunning. Anyway, where was I? Oh, yes, the Vixens. The double act of Alys and Charlie thanked their players for the enthusiasm shown in what was a difficult year as the Vixens tried to find their feet almost from scratch. But there were signs of promise and new girls are beginning to sign up, so the future indeed looks rosy. They went on to thank Michelle Haydon, who has worked tirelessly to promote the Vixens, and Will James and Steve Carter who have brought their considerable experience to help out with training. They then presented the Vixens’ awards. Most improved Player was Diane Thomas, who (apparently) is an absolute terror on the pitch (‘’and at home’’, whispered hubby Huw). The Player’s Player, voted for by her team-mates was Stacey Allum, whilst the Player-of-the-Year 2024-2025 went to the hugely deserving, Carly Theis.
Next up was veterans’ Captain, Brad Powell, who although he made no awards, informed us of how immensely proud he was of the Vets’ team in reaching the vets Final where we lost to the ‘mighty’ Blackheath. He thanked all of the players and although he was saddened to be stepping down from Saturday rugby, he still wants to captain the Vets team next season, which met with considerable enthusiasm by all present. (Brad has a huge circle of rugby playing mates and although the Vets’ team look like a BaaBaa’s team at times, they all seem to buy into the Vigo ethos, so his continued participation is more than welcome, IMHO).
We then had the ‘Heads & Tails’ Bingo, which was won by our very own star of the stage, Syd ‘Let’s ’ave it’ Christmas, who generously donated her winnings to the Charity of the night, Retired Police Dog Charity.
Next up, came 2nd XV co-captains, Harry Pattison and Nathan Covill. They thanked everyone who had played for them in an incredibly difficult season, exacerbated by the fact that the 1st XV were forever ‘nicking’ players from them, often on a Friday night. With Brad’s help, as they were both often called up themselves to the 1st team, they managed to cobble together a team, and although not having the best of seasons, there were some good wins and some good laughs – which is, after all, what it is all about, in the end. They thanked Sue, for running what was arguably the most important job – opening the bar – and, of course, their better halves for having to put up with them. (It helps that Lizzie and Charlie are proper ‘rugby widows’ and understand all the trials and tribulations.) They also thanked fixture secretary, Martin Lingham, whose diplomacy was needed with the County Fixtures Board – or whatever they are called as we struggled to fulfil some fixtures.
They made their awards : Most Improved Player went to Sam Tye – his first season in rugby but showing a willingness to learn and who made many appearances for the 1st XV. Player’s Player was Conner Huane – a back row forward who seemed tireless and who could well have made more appearances for the 1st XV if not for the excellence of the 1st team back row. The Player of the Year 2024-25 was Matt Lane, who had an outstanding season, playing with his customary zeal and annoying everyone with his constant chatter !
Then came 1st XV Captain, George Rawlings. Again, George mentioned what an incredibly difficult season it had been. He had called upon 40 players through the season. Hampered by injuries to key players and unavailability, he nevertheless was proud of the fact that he had never called off a match (unlike some ‘bigger clubs) and although we did finish in the relegation zone, through the vagaries of the RFU, we will remain in Counties Kent 2 next season. He went on to thank Sue (of course), but also Marissa Leyden who worked incredibly hard to patch up the injured enough for them to return to the fray, and also Penny Smith who volunteered to produce the post-match grub ( and very tasty it was, it has to be stated).
He went on to make the awards. Top Points scorer was Tony ‘’Snoozy’’ Whitehead, sadly absent (still recovering from his honeymoon, apparently). Most Improved Player went to Lewis ‘’M.D.’’ Pitchell, our live-wire left winger who made 18 (out of 22) appearances for the 1st team. The Players’ Player went to Nick McPherson, arguably the heartbeat of the team, whose enthusiasm and optimism brings forth the best in his team mates. Player of the Year 2024-25 went to Kieran Hall, a flanker who seemed at times to be in two places at once, fearlessly tackling with energy and vigour anyone who dared to approach.
Steve Beale awarded the Supporters’ Player of the Year tankards. The supporters are as much a lifeblood of the Club as the players. Some of them follow the team home and away with unflagging vigour (and relentless optimism) and help to lift the teams through pretty difficult times. It is only right, then, that they should have their own trophy (although at times, the adjudicator was forced to take a ‘family vote’ ). The 2nd XV SPOTY was a close run thing. Connor Cutts nearly won it off the back of his only game for the 2nd XV, having a superb game just when there happened to be a big crowd on that day. However, over the season, David Dunn proved to be the supporters’ favourite over the whole season. For the 1st XV, however, it was more cut-and-dried. Usually, it’s a race between Ben Moorhouse and Luke Henderson, but this year’s 1st XV SPOTY was overwhelmingly won by Nick McPherson.
Green Ties, which are awarded for players with a long playing career and ex-captains went to Harry Pattison, Nathan Covill, James Beale, Phil Checksfield and Liam Wiltshire.
The Sportsman of the Year went to Darren ‘Bobby Dazzler’’ Cox, who has been an indefatigable member of the 1st XV, an enduring prop and fatherly figure on the pitch and in the clubhouse (who said grandfatherly? Stop it).
A special award of a framed shirt and photo were made to Nathan Covill and Harry Pattison who are stepping down as co-captains of the 2nd XV.
The final Award , the Ashwell Shield was then presented. The Ashwell Shield, of course, named after Vigo’s First President, is awarded to the individual who has made a huge contribution to the Club, going above and beyond, and this went to the hugely deserving David Dunn.

With that, our President, thanked all present for their patience, during the awards, and wished everyone a great evening, dancing and drinking the rest of the night away (and over that, I shall draw a heavy veil – what goes on in Brands Hatch, stays in Brands Hatch).

Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s been a pleasure