La Mon House Hotel once again hosted our gala awards evening with 290 players, coaches, parents, supporters and sponsors in attendance.
With our chairman away playing cricket in Portgual (cricket in Portugal, since when) vice chairman Geoff Murray compered the evening with aplomb.
After Geoff had welcomed everyone, Keith Mitchell provided as insight into his role within Ridgeway as club chaplain and took great pleasure in announcing that Ridgeway Rovers FC are the first junior club in the UK to have appointed a club chaplain. After saying grace, a superb 3 course meal was served.
The meal was followed by the main event of the evening, but just before the individual awards winners were revealed Geoff paid tribute to our 1996 squad who have sadly now completed their time at the club. Special mention was reserved for Adam Calvert and Scott Dornan who have been with the club since day one.
Adam represented the club with distinction at last years Milk Cup (Co. Down) and is moving on to Linfield next season.
Special guest for the evening Keith Gillespie then presented three very special crystal vases to Alan Calvert, Stephen Doey and Colin Mitchell. Both Alan and Stephen have been with Ridgeway Rovers for 10 years and have now decided to 'retire' from their coaching duties. Their impact at Ridgeway should not be under estimated especially in the clubs formative years and their influence will be sorely missed next season both at training and at matches.
Colin, stood down earlier this season as Chairman of the club and manager of the 99 National League squad. More recently he announced to the squad his desire to step aside from his coaching role. Under Colin's chairmanship the club has grown beyond all recognition to the club we have today (300+ boys, 11 squads 96's - 06's) and before stepping down overseen the introduction of the club's DNA. As manager of the 99's the boys won the Lisburn League U12 League and Cup double and made the transition into the National League last September.
The main awards were presented as follows:
TOP GOALSCORER - Golden Boot
Under 16 SBYL - Scott Barr
Under 15 LJIL - Jonathan Boyd
Under 14 LJIL - Matthew Tumilson / Kristopher Gaw
Under 13 Nat Lge - Dean Annett
Under 13 LJIL - Ethan Boal
Under 12 Nat Lge - Alexander McIlmail
Under 12 LJIL - Aaron Grimshaw
Under 11 LJIL - Beau Tosh
Under 11 CIS - Josh Ritchie
SUPPORTERS PLAYER of the YEAR
Under 16 SBYL - Adam Calvert
Under 15 LJIL - Dylan Halliday
Under 14 LJIL - Kristopher Gaw
Under 13 Nat Lge - Chris Pierpoint
Under 13 LJIL - Ethan Boal
Under 12 Nat Lge - Tom Mathieson
Under 12 LJIL - Aaron Migan
Under 11 LJIL - Paul Waite
Under 11 CIS - Sam Haveron
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Under 16 SBYL - Jonny Burgess
Under 15 LJIL - Matthew Smyth
Under 14 LJIL - Christopher Elliott
Under 13 Nat Lge - Bem Thompson
Under 13 LJIL - Matthew Tunnah
Under 12 Nat Lge - Lewis Mathieson
Under 12 LJIL - Nicholas Trueick
Under 11 LJIL - Mikey Evans
Under 11 CIS - Kyle Stratton
PLAYER of the YEAR
Under 16 SBYL - Adam Calvert
Under 15 LJIL - Gareth Keenan
Under 14 LJIL - Matthew Tumilson
Under 13 Nat Lge - Joshua Kelly
Under 13 LJIL - Ciaran Kelly
Under 12 Nat Lge - Alexander McIlmail
Under 12 LJIL - Ewan Magee
Under 11 LJIL - Joseph Shevlin
Under 11 CIS - Aaron Smyth
Thanks must go to our guest for the evening Keith Gillespie, 86 times capped NI international, whose words of encouragement for the players, coaches and parents were well received. Many people later echoed his sentiments of the feeling of cohesion and direction there is throughout the club from the Chairman through committee to coaches, players and parents.
Thanks to Geoff for hosting the evening and making sure it ran seamlessly and for the excellent audio visual presentation to accompany the awards ceremony.
Thanks to CM Design for having all the trophies engraved and beautifully polished for the evening.
Thanks to Peter Rainey for acting as official photograher for the evening and at other matches and events throughout the season.
Thanks also to Karen and Philip Gaw for the Music on the night which was kindly provided by Moonlight Entertainment - www.moonlightentertainment.co.uk
Finally, thanks to all the coaches, parents and players for your continued support in making 2011/12 a great season at Ridgeway Rovers FC from our 1996's to 2006's squads. The club continues to develop as we enter our 10th year and progress is evident throughout the club.