‘LET’S SALUTE A GREAT SEASON’
National League awards evening proves fitting finale to special campaign
THE prestigious Celtic Manor Resort Hotel in Newport again played host to the annual Gala Awards Evening for The National League last Saturday night, sponsored by Vanarama.
Over 500 guests were treated to an excellent and well organised event with top class musical entertainment to complement the formal awards.
Prostate Cancer UK benefitted from generous donations made which raised in excess of £4,000.
All six promoted clubs from the three divisions took to the stage to collect their trophies, and share their experiences of a memorable season across the competition.
Memorable
In the Manager of the Year category, the four league championship-winning managers, John Askey (Macclesfield Town), Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson (Salford City) and Lee Bradbury (Havant & Waterlooville), claimed prizes for their achievements during the campaign. Elsewhere, Sutton United’s Tony Henderson-Smith became the first ever winner of Volunteer of the Year, an award created to help those unsung heroes helping clubs within The National League.
Awards were also presented to Torquay United, Brackley Town and St Albans City to mark their efforts towards fair play and respect from the National, North and South divisions respectively.
Eastbourne Borough won The National League Trust’s Best Community Project award, which is a major honour to receive from the many varied projects operating across the League, with financial support from the Premier League and the PFA.
Clubs winning Programme of the Year honours across the respective divisions were Gateshead, Boston United and Wealdstone.
National League chairrecognise
man Brian Barwick reflected on the season in his speech and afterwards looked back on the conclusion of a wonderful awards ceremony by commenting: “It’s been a tremendous evening for all involved at The National League.
Tremendous
“As always, we wish to thank Celtic Manor for the first-class hospitality they have provided for us over the course of the weekend.
“My thanks must also go to the clubs. They came out in force to celebrate what has been a memorable season, with many making new friends and reacplenty quainting with familiar faces.
“We are truly grateful for the support and back- ing of Vanarama and BT Sport; a synergy we have all flourished under during the past four years.”
Delighted
Chief executive Michael Tattersall was upbeat about the 2017/18 campaign: “We as a competition are delighted with the way in which the season unfolded. “Not only have we been able to secure sponsorship with our two key partners for the next three years, but we have also seen of encouraging signs to suggest The National League is heading in the right direction.
“Attendances for the competition were higher than any season over the past ten years – both in average and aggregate total. The total surpassed 1.9 million.
“Viewing figures from live Vanarama National League matches on BT Sport are on the rise as well. There has been an 55 per cent increase to average viewing figures compared to two seasons ago. “The wheels are already in motion for the 2018/19 season. We are all excited at what the future holds.”