The 2020 Playsport Berkshire Football Awards took place on Friday 24th July live on Twitter. You can see the full ‘as it happened’ thread here.
The event has for the last couple of seasons been a physical one, held at Binfield Football Club and hosted by Sky Sports News’ Tom White. Prior to the pandemic we were set to do all that again and more. Instead we hosted it virtually on social media and here’s the full list of winners in another brilliant, albeit curtailed season.
Opening the event online, I wrote: ‘Hello, and welcome to the virtual Berkshire Football Awards live on Twitter. Of course this isn’t how we wanted to do this, but it is a chance to celebrate the great and the good of Berkshire football and I’d like to take the opportunity to congratulate all the nominees. Frankly, you all deserve a medal for what you do in the local game and I hope whatever the result today you continue doing what you do best and know that it IS recognised. Grassroots football in Berkshire IS thriving, and it is thanks to you that it is. I look forward to catching up with you all in the season ahead.’
A big thank you to Dan Sleet at PlaySport for his continued support of our awards. Playsport are again providing the physical trophies for the event this year. We are looking for a second sponsor for next years event to help us put on the version we really want to, if you think you can help or are interested in knowing more, please email tom.canning@footballinbracknell.co.uk
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Berkshire Football Awards supported by PlaySport.
More on the Berkshire Football Awards: All the 2020 winners and what was said Categories | Hall of Fame
Most Improved Ground
The nominees: Ascot United and Wokingham & Emmbrook
What was said: “A massive struggle involving hundreds of people who will always be a part of Wokingham’s Football Club.”
The winner:
Supporter of the season
The nominees: Geoff Lee, Courteney Maynard, James Monger and Denis Axton
What was said: “Initially this was to support his grandson Luke Axton-Hall but he has since got to know all the players and enjoys socialising with them pre and post-match.”
The winner:
Volunteer of the Season
The nominees: Martyn Whell – Wally Tn, Rhys York, Ryan Sheehan, Victoria Pyke – Reading C Steve Kay – Berks C, Brian Baggaley – Reading Y, Chris Berry – Harchester H, Ricky Simons – Bracknell T, Martyn Foster – William T, Chris Burnett – Woodley U, Romi Topi – FC B Darren Woolley – Maidenhead United.
What was said: “Berks County don’t have too many volunteers so Steve does most jobs from dealing with the admin and fines etc to helping out on matchdays wherever needed.”
The winner:
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Best photo
The nominees: Sam Austin, Rob Mack, Neil Graham, Philip Benton, Graham Tabor, Andrew Batt, Richard Milam, Darren Woolley.
What was said: “It’s been my favourite photo this season”
The winner:
Reporter of the Season
The nominees: Chris Burnett – Woodley U, Dave Wright – Bracknell News, Ciaran Morrison – Hungerford T, Andy Preston – Wokingham Times, Alicia Povey – Talking Women’s Football
What was said: “A huge women’s football advocate. She is first to support other women both online and face to face.”
The winner:
Best website or Social Media presence
The nominees: Pinewood FC, Bracknell Sunday League, Hurst FC, Berks County, Wargrave FC, Chris Beale, BCA Skills, Hype Train FC, Caversham United, Reading City, Woodley United, FC Bracknell
What was said: “Caversham United, for a single team Sunday men’s club have managed to bring together a huge number of local clubs to communicate, collaborate and raise money in a way unheard of at local level in this way.”
The winner:
Best Isolation Engagement Campaign or Content
The nominees: Ascot United, BCA Skills Challenge, Caversham United, Woodley United FC under 8 Section.
What was said: “Outstanding innovation and contribution to community engagement during these difficult times, done while continuing to complete their studies, for an amazing cause.”
The winner:
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Outstanding contribution to local football
The nominees: Hype Train, Martin Law – Reading City, Mick White – Bracknell & District Sunday League, Nathan Bingham – Woodley United, Eva Thomas, Ruth Pearson & Holly Wilkins – Woodley United, Mark Rozzier – Woodley United, Neil Richards – Ascot United, Alicia Povey
What was said: “A master of all areas within local football! This is Martin’s 30th year, managing football, and he is still working every possible hour to ensure the ‘cogs are running’ smoothly”
The winner:
Manager of the Season
The nominees: Jamie Tompkins – Ascot United, Simon Johnson – Reading City, Robert Austin – Hype Train FC, Roger Herridge – Binfield FC.
What was said: “Building on last seasons success of a Hellenic League Cup win, his Ascot United side have topped the CCL for 6 of the 7 months and still in the league cup with a quarter-final vs Jersey.”
The winner:
Referee of the Season
The nominees: Matthew Barrett, Mackenzie Raymond, Kieron Brown, Richard Warburton
What was said: “Had not seen him at games before this season. But excellent communicator, very clear and fair, and all games he has been involved in have flowed brilliantly. Highly recommended!”
The winner:
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Goal of the Season
The nominees: Charlie Craske – Berks County, Max Herbert – Bracknell Town, Dylan Ive – Windsor, Martin King – Hype Train, Josh Kelly – Maidenhead united, Mark Scott. Bracknell Town.
What was said:
The winner:
Young Player of the Season (Female)
The nominees: Darcey Young – Ascot United, Emma Hutton – Ascot United, Kiah Owen – S4K Ladies, Megan Halfacree – Maidenhead United, Kiera Skeels – Reading FC Women and England U19.
What was said: “Megan’s first season as a FA Women’s National League player was a huge success as she became a regular in the Maidenhead United Women side, becoming increasingly composed at left back”
The winner:
Young Player of the Season (Male)
The nominees: Geoff Kibaki – Bracknell Town, Dylan Ive – Windsor, Dan Roberts – Slough Town Josh Milo – Woodley United.
What was said: “Outstanding season for Slough Town with a first full year being with the club scoring over 10 goals at such a big step.”
The winner:
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Player of the Season (Female)
The nominees: Ellen Surtees – Woodley United, Courtney Gibbons – Ascot United, Hannah Evans – Ascot United, Sarah Thompson – Maidenhead United, Alex Dover – Maidenhead United.
What was said: “Ellen has been a crucial player this season, not just as our captain, but a solid centre back too. Defending comes naturally to Ellen but this season she has rocketed up the assist list. Numerous assists from corners and free kicks this season.”
The winner:
Player of the Season (Male)
The nominees: Fabian Driffill – Holyport, Max Herbert – Bracknell Town, Harry Laflin – Ascot United, Liam Gavin – Binfield, Matt Day – Thatcham Town.
What was said: “Year on year has developed and taken the opportunity to improve his all round play and work ethic. Rarely misses a game which is some effort considering he is targeted during most games.”
The winner:
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Berkshire Football Awards supported by PlaySport.
The Darrell Freeland Award for service to the local game
Tom: The final award tonight, is in memory of my best friend and wholehearted supporter of non-league and grassroots football Darrell Freeland. He was also the co-founder of FiB and these awards, and as most of you will know sadly passed away last year.
What was said: “This year’s winners of The Darrell Freeland Award has given years and years service to the Bracknell Town & District Sunday League as it continues to thrive in Berkshire.”
The winner:
