The End of Season Dinner took place at Otley Golf Club on Friday 8th May where various awards were presented.
Players and staff from the First Team were in attendance and all enjoyed a great evening to end the season.
The tables were once again set so that First Team players sat alongside the supporters with everyone in attendance having a two course meal, a good laugh and an enjoyable evening.
Sue Clapham started the night with a speech to thank everyone for their attendance and to celebrate what has been a good season for the club. Sue then went on introduce Joe Priestley, the vice-chair of Guiseley AFC Supporters’ Club. Joe presented Ollie Brown with the Supporters’ Club Craig Shearstone Player of the Season award.
The Freda Collinson Rose Bowl, Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Zoe Dickinson by Freda’s son Guy. Zoe has fulfilled a wide range of roles this season to ensure Nethermoor matchdays run smoothly and everyone has the best experience possible. Before the award was presented Sue Clapham shared her memories of Freda who was a volunteer at the club.
Media Team Manager, Colin Robertson, then did a speech before presenting Dave Robertson with the Media Team Peace Prize – the first and probably the only winner! The second winner of the Media Team Member of the Season went to David Bridson. David has returned to volunteering at the club after moving back to West Yorkshire and has covered the team home and away providing match reports, commentary on Guiseley Radio and written several pieces for our Matchday Magazine.
Chairman, Gary Douglas, then thanked Sue for arranging the dinner and praised all the volunteers who make the club tick. Gary also paid tribute to his friend Jeff Hollings who sadly passed away in December, Jeff was a keen supporter of the club and featured on the cover of the End of Season Dinner Programme.
Sue then presented the Sponsors’ Player of the Season award. Jordan Thewlis and Amir Berchil were joint winners but unfortunately Jordan was unable to attend the night so Amir collected the awards.
The third ever winner of the John Bridson Lions Legend Award was revealed after a short speech by Adam Bridson who was joined by John’s wife Lynn and eldest son David to present the award. Sue Clapham has volunteered at Nethermoor for over 50 years in hospitality with visiting directors, serving players food after matches, selling raffle tickets, represented the club at away games, served on the Supporters’ Club committee since its formation, setting up and selling pitch squares to fund vital ground improvements, serving food and drink to supporters in her early years and so much more.
Ian Richards was next up to present the Players’ Player of the Season and Manager’s Player of the Season awards which both went to Jordan Thewlis. Richards gave detailed reasons for why Jordan had won the awards as well as a giving a speech to reflect on the season and look ahead to the future.
The presentations ended with club director Mark Lewis presenting Sue Clapham, Ken Hardwick and Rachel O’Connor with Life Memberships of Guiseley AFC, the trio have volunteered for Guiseley for over 100 years between them. Sue, Ken and Rachel were all presented with a gift from the club and a bunch of flowers to cap off a memorable evening.
The raffle and auction then took place with over £800 raised for the Football Club and Supporters’ Club.
A full round-up of the award winners:
Craig Shearstone Guiseley AFC Supporters’ Club Player of the Season – Ollie Brown
Sponsors’ Player of the Season – Amir Berchil and Jordan Thewlis
Players’ Player of the Season – Jordan Thewlis
Eric Waite Memorial Award, Manager’s Player of the Season – Jordan Thewlis
Young Player of the Season Award, Michael Schofield Shield – Ollie Brown
Freda Collinson Rose Bowl, Volunteer of the Season – Zoe Dickinson
The John Bridson Lions Legend Award – Sue Clapham
Media Team Member of the Season – David Bridson
You can view a full gallery imagery from the End of Season Dinner here.
