Team spirit can help us again next term – Ben
CHELTENHAM skipper Ben Tozer is hoping to use the squad’s ‘underdog mentality’ when they look to put their play-off heartache behind them next season.
Tozer was named 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 Jacob was the founding secretary of the Robins Trust, who gifted an extraordinary legacy of more than £200,000 in his will.
Ryan Broom won three awards, including the Players’ Player of the Year prize, with midfielders Jake Doyle-Hayes 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 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 now 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 all the massive positives and move on. We have a lot of the squad in place for next season and I am sure the club will be improving it this summer.
“Looking around, it seems the division will be even tougher next season with some clubs really going for it – but will they have the 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 hat got us last season – we need to do that again and build on it.
“If you think about the budget of the club and where we have come from, there is a huge sense of pride and 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 Players’ Player as well as awards from sponsors Mira Showers and the club’s Norwegian supporters group, who have been travelling over 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 for 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.
“I am glad I could have a positive season and help the club so much. To get recognition from your teammates is special and I am honoured to get the Players’ Player award.”