GUISBOROUGH Town FC held their awards night last Friday to recognise the efforts of their young squad year the last football year.

It was a night of celebration for players, officials and supporters alike as the club honoured not only its footballers but also many of its long-serving volunteers without whom, as Club Chairman Don Cowan emphasised, Guisborough Town just would not function and survive as an entity.

Guisborough Town’s brilliant young winger Steve Roberts scored a well-deserved ‘double’ at the club’s annual awards night on Friday, scooping the Top Scorer and Supporters’ Player of the Year awards. It was fitting recognition for the promising young starlet who had an outstanding season despite having to overcome several serious injuries.

The awards included Managers’ Player of the Year who was Brian Close and the Players’ Player of the Year was Matthew Crust. CLS-sponsored young First Team Player of the Year was Joe Morley and Under-19s Top Goal-scorer was Owen Armstrong. The Under-19s Managers’ Player of the Year was Sonui Fergus and the Under-19s Players’ Player of the Year was Owen Armstrong. In addition to the individual Under-19s players’ awards, the team had a fantastic season winning virtually all before them.

A particularly poignant but much-appreciated part of the evening came when two very special cheque presentations were made in honour of former club stalwart, John Butterfield, who sadly passed away earlier this year after a brave battle against brain cancer. Club Chairman Don Cowan said John’s contribution to the club over the years, particularly when it came close to folding a few seasons ago, could not be underestimated. A charity fund raising concert was held last month in tribute to John Butterfield and with a generous donation for his family raised £2,000, and his son, Luke, presented cheques to The Junction charity which helps young people, and also the Brain Tumour charity

Mr Cowan said in recent weeks a number of people had been very complimentary towards the football club and he said while that was really great to hear it was really down to all the hard work by a willing band of volunteers whose efforts combined to make match day at the KGV a really great experience. Mr Cowan then thanked all the volunteers who kept the club running including the Press, Communications and Match Promotion team, the Turnstile, match programme and Golden Goal sellers group, the grounds and pitch staff, the Club house staff and the Tea Hut and refreshments team. He also paid tribute to the Club Secretary and Treasurer and the Club sponsors, Taylor Wimpey and CLS Land Services. He also recognised the work of volunteer groups such as the Ladies Section, who managed the club canteen and also refreshments and post-match food for players and officials

The efforts of the first team manager Gary Forster and his coaching team of Lee Farrington and Chris Fairless plus kit man Wilf Forster were recognised, particularly in the second half of the season to steer the team to mid-table security. Mr Cowan also paid tribute to the club’s thriving Juniors’ section which comprised 15 teams and well over 150 young players, and welcomed the appointment of Chris Wood, who is taking over the management of the Junior Section with First Team Manager Gary Forster taking a keen interest in their development.

In conclusion, Mr Cowan said, “We will embrace any challenge and we are absolutely committed to seeing our beloved club progress to continue playing as successfully as possible and to the highest sustainable standard as possible.”