» Broom is big winner at awards
CHELTENHAM Town skipper Ben Tozer is hoping to use the squad’s ‘underdog mentality’ as they look to put their play-off disappointment behind them next season.
Tozer was named the club’s Supporters Player of the Year at the Robins’ virtual awards night, picking up the Bryan Jacob Cup after a superb campaign at the heart of the back three which had the best defensive record in the EFL.
Bryan was the founding secretary of the Robins Trust who gifted an extraordinary legacy of more than £200,000 in his will, a gesture which enabled and driven supporter representation at the top table of the club.
Ryan Broom won three awards, including the Players’ Player of the Year prize, with midfielders Jake Doylehayes and Conor Thomas also among the winners.
Tozer was delighted to claim the prestigious prize, but admitted it was tinged with disappointment after the play-off semi-final second leg collapse which saw the Robins lose a 2-0 advantage to Northampton Town to go out 3-2 on aggregate.
“It’s a great accolade but you can’t help thinking about the team,” he told the club’s official website. “It’s all ifs buts and maybes and it would have been great if we had gone up with me getting that award.
“It’s a massive disappointment but the only thing we can do is brush ourselves down and get ready to go again.
“The last thing we want is that hanging over heads at the start of next season, so let’s take the massive positives and move forwards.
“We have a lot of the squad in place for next season and I am sure the club will be improving the squad.
“Looking around it seems the division will be even tougher next season with some clubs really going for it - but will they have the team belief and camaraderie that we have?
“We have always had that underdog mentality and for us it’s about sticking together and playing as team, not individuals - and look where that got us.
“If you think about the budget of the club and where we have come from, there is a huge sense of pride. The club as whole has come a long way this season.”
The big winner of the awards night was Welsh midfielder Broom, who ended the season as the club’s top scorer with eight goals.
He scooped the Players’ Player of the Year prize as well as awards from sponsors Mira Showers and the club’s Norwegian supporters group, who have been travelling over to watch games for more than a decade.
“I am delighted and didn’t expect these awards,” said Broom. “I am grateful for everyone who voted at Mira and to the Norwegian fans.
“Some players come in and seem to get instant love from the fans and for others it grows over time.
“I am not sure where I fit in to that but if you do the right things and give your best and work hard on a match day you will win over most fans.
“It’s good to have fans all over the world and we do appreciate it.
“If you do your best on the pitch that is when they will give you their support and it is obviously a massive help when they are cheering you on on a Saturday or a Tuesday night.
“Its nice, especially at home, when you see a lot of young fans so when you are celebrating a goal you see the excitement on the kids’ faces and it’s a really nice feeling to share that experience with them.
“It’s a nice feeling as when you score a big goal or come up with an assist and we could get something out of every game we played.
“To get recognition from your teammates as well is special and I am honoured to get the Players’ Player award.”
Former Bristol Rovers man Broom has been linked with moves up the pyramid on countless occasions, and has a year left on his current deal
“It has been a very positive season overall,” he said. “It’s been good on the stats front but it has just been good to be part of the team which has performed so well this season.
“The manager has played me centrally a lot more this season and I think I have repaid his faith in me with goals and assists.
“Coming to Cheltenham at the time was an important period for me in my career - I needed to play and Cheltenham has been brilliant for me.
“From this season, some of the away performances stand out for me as we struggled so much the previous season - Salford, Plymouth and Walsall are three that stick out.”
Irish midfielder Doyle-hayes was named Young Player of the Year, picking up the Tim Cordell Cup after a fine campaign on loan from Aston Villa.
“I am delighted, and wasn’t expecting it as there are so many players who could have got the award,” he said.
“Obviously we didn’t end the season as we wanted to but on a personal level it has been a really good season, I have made lots of appearances and I feel like it went well for me
“No-one was expecting us to get into the play-offs to be honest but if the season had continued I’d like to think we would have gone up automatically.
“I am still really gutted about the way it ended and I wish we had got promoted for all the fans as what they have done for us this season has been unbelievable.
“Scoring my first league goal was a big moment in my career, it was an important goal as well and that was one of the highlights.
“All the players have been unbelievable and the staff. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to work with.”
Doyle-hayes was released by Aston Villa at the end of the season and is looking forward to his future in the game.
“I am taking time to relax and switch off from football but I am really excited for what happens in the future,” he said.
Doyle-hayes’ regular midfield partner Thomas was also a winner - being chosen by chairman Andy Wilcox as his Player of the Year.
“Thanks to the chairman for picking me,” said Thomas, who scored seven goals, including one in first leg of the play-off semi-final.
“It was a disappointing end to the season but there were a lot of positives to pick out of it.
“I think if we look back at the season before it is a big progression and the team has got to take a lot of credit with the manager and the coaching staff and on reflection we have to be pleased.
“Obviously we just fell short but there is great foundation to build on for the future and personally I think I had a good run of games .
“It always helps when you are in a winning team and although I had a few little niggles with injuries I have been pleased with how the season went.
“We can see what the gaffer is trying to build here so I think we have a good core to build on and I am delighted to be part of it.
“The disappointment has got to be fuel to drive us - we don’t want to be in that position again
“It’s going to be another long tough season but we have to do what we can to fall the right side of things this time.”
The awards night also showcased the many achievements on and off the field at the club this season.
They included the Made of Cheltenham campaign which led to 1,500 season tickets being sold, the successful open day at Seasons, the 1887 Red Army fans’ group crowdfunding for a flag to remember Leyton Orient’s late manager Justin Edinburgh, the achievements of the club’s Academy, ladies team and Community Trust and other fundraising initiatives which yielded £10,000 for charity partner the Hollie Gazzard Trust, £9,000 for NHS charities as players, directors, staff and fans shaved their heads during the Covid-19 lockdown and £32,000 from cardboard cut outs of fans for the playoff final second leg.