After the end of their most successful season for more than a decade, St Neots Town FC players, officials and supporters gathered for a presentation evening on April 20.
The even culminated with an unscheduled event as goalkeeping coach (and club transport driver) Gary Dean went down on one knee to propose to his girlfriend and club officer Shelley Phypers, who, thankfully, said 'yes'.
Earlier club chairman Barry Cavilla had summarised the 2023/24 season as "successfully outstanding" thanks to an all-round effort by all from the management, players, supporters, and a host of behind-the-scenes workers.
He referred to the position of the club less than 12 months earlier, relegated from Step Four of the National League system back to the United Counties League where they had started their rise up through the system 10 years earlier.
Then winning promotion to the Southern League Midland Division and on to the Premier Division at Step Three where they had contested the play-offs.
“A football club is about all its players, workers, and supporters” he said, "and its successes deserve celebrating."
Club president John Walker congratulated the team on their fourth placed finish in an extremely competitive division paying a fulsome tribute to manager Cameron Mawer in his first season.
"He had rebuilt the squad from scratch, and they had responded. He looked forward confidently to an even more successful season next time around," said Walker.
Manager Cameron Mawer thanked his players and all the backroom helpers and supporters saying that his aim was the same as when he was appointed – a return to Step Three within five years.
The awards were as follows:
Young Player of the Year: Harvey Williams
Most Outstanding goal: Christian Tavernier
Most Improved Player: Israel Ajana
Managers Player of the Year: James Goff
Leading Goal scorer: Jordan Brown
Clubman of the Year: James Hatch
Supporters Player of the Year: James Goff
Players Player of the Year: James Goff
MoM overall winner: James Hatch
The players then made awards and thank you gestures to those who had supported them throughout the season.
This included the ladies responsible for hospitality, Match Day 50/50 Draw and merchandise sales, and all were recognised with bouquets.
There were awards for Mike and Charlie Green for their social media work throughout the season, chairman Barry Cavilla and club secretary Gary Wilson.
Others recognised were physiotherapist Craig Lambert, goalkeeping coach Gary Dean, manager Cameron Mawer, assistant Steve Kuhne and coach Alex Minall.
Kit man Mick Hunt recovering from an accident, was wished a speedy recovery.
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