Brad Hills scooped the fans award of Player of the season with over 48% of the votes cast.
The goal of the season was voted to Ros Longelo and Jack Nolan’s 17 League goals was enough to earn him a place on the Dave “Haggis” Hargreaves shield as our top league goalscorer.
Each winner received a glass trophy, a bottle of champagne and a small cash prize.
Wayne Shuttleworth was the lucky fan to win his NextGen season ticket for 2024/5 season.
The atmosphere in Coley’s was somewhat frenzied, and Peter Leatham struggled against technology to get his carefully chosen remarks heard, so here is the text of what he actually said:
“Before we finally draw a veil over the 2023- 24 season, It’s time to reinstate our annual fans awards after the hiatus of last season and where better place than here in Coleys with you, our loyal fans.
It’s been a season that once again has been undermined by a crippling injury list which has also showed in glimpses what could have been but eventually the lack of consistency, and often a recognised striker, took its toll on performances and ultimately results.
That said, maintaining football league status, was what most would have settled for in what was always badged as a season of consolidation.
The well documented events of last February can’t be ignored and nor can the legacy that will be etched in the history of our club in recognition of the achievements of John Coleman and Jimmy Bell.
However we must all now look to the future and unite firmly behind John Doolan and whoever he selects to wear our red shirt. As the saying goes, trust the process and that’s what we must do trust the process.
Players come and go, like mangers and the only constant is us, the fans, and the proud history of Accrington Stanley football club.
So We must thank all the players that have represented the club this season, the efforts on the pitch can never be questioned despite some disappointments along the way. But that’s football, you win some and you lose some and on any given day anyone can pick up the points on offer.
For those who won’t be at Stanley next season then we thank you for your efforts and wish you well in your future careers.
We must also thank all our loan players who hopefully have gained from their experiences with Stanley and learnt that our Fanbase whilst not great in number is massive in heart . We sincerely hope they all gone on to forge successful football league careers wherever their travels take them.
So, onto the awards, each recipient receiving a trophy , bottle of champagne, and some cash to perhaps put behind the bar, you wish !
The first award sees one of our supporters winning a season ticket for next season, or in this case £284 reimbursement as it’s already been bought and paid for.
We had nearly 600 votes cast and each was entered, numbered and a random number generator selected entrant number 50 and that is Wayne Shuttleworth
This season we have purchased a new trophy in recognition of one of our Hall of Fame members, David Hargreaves, who will always be remembered by his remarkable goal scoring feats for Accrington Stanley and I am delighted to invite Dave’s sons Paul & Morgan to come and present their dad’s memorial shield.
Our award for top league goalscorer and the inaugural winner of our new Dave Haggis Hargreaves memorial shield for our top league goalscorer with 17, goes to the owner of a wand of a left foot – Jack Nolan
Onto The goal of the season and I would like to invite a man who won’t be remembered for his spectacular goals just scoring those that mattered, our captain Seamus Conneely.
There were 6 great efforts to choose from. However our winner gained over a third of the votes, for his match winner in the 119th minute against Lincoln City, the award goes to Ros Longelo.
Finally, your player of the season and I would like to invite our manager John Doolan to present our award.
17 players gained votes and our winner had over 48% of them. A firm favourite with his wholehearted displays with not an inconsiderable amount of ability and we just wish he was ours, your winner is Brad Hills.
That concluded your Supporters Trust awards, Enjoy your summer and let’s do it all again starting in August.”
Thank you, Peter!