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Vanarama National League Awards August 2015

Vanarama are delighted to announce the first winners of the new Vanarama National League Player and Manager of the Month Awards.

After careful consideration the panel have announced the following winners for August Player and Manager of the Month Awards in the first season of the newly-branded Vanarama National League. Vanarama would like to congratulate each worthy winner on their award.

In the Vanarama National League, Forest Green Rovers enjoyed a 100% start to the new season winning all their games in August. So congratulations to Manager Adrian Pennock. On picking Adrian for the award, the panel commented: “Ady would in all probability be the choice of most football fans when he can boast a record of 7 games played and 7 wins. A 100% record at the start of a season at any level is remarkable, and each win has been hard-fought and none a ‘walkover’. The National League is a very hard league and any win must be earned. This start puts the Cotswold club in a prime position after the opening month of the season and sets the bar very high for the other clubs in pursuit.”

Also from Forest Green Rovers, picking up the Player award for August is David Pipe. The panel commented on David’s leadership in the start of the season: “When your club has a 100% record it might be difficult to select a single player from what has been a collective team effort in August. Several candidates in the fantastic start made by Rovers might have been considered; however, when the judging panel sat down to mull over those in the running it was obvious from match reports that on occasions what was needed was on-field leadership. This was paramount in not only marshalling a solid defence but instilling a winning belief and attitude. As Club captain, David’s experience and pragmatic approach that he has displayed has been most beneficial.”

In the Vanarama National League North, Solihull Moors maintained an unbeaten start to the season, so congratulations goes to Manager Marcus Bignot. The panel commented: “Despite losing the division’s leading goalscorer during the summer, Marcus has recruited well and assembled a squad which many felt will do well this time around. And the proof of the pudding is definitely in the eating as Moors have certainly laid down a marker to the rest of the clubs, and at the end of the month top the table on merit, taking a superb haul of points with six wins and one draw.”

Staying in the Vanarama National League North, winner of the Player of The Month goes to Ashley Sammons from Corby Town. The panel commented on Ashley’s great start to the season: “When a club is promoted into a higher level of football the first aim must be to get off to a good start, and certainly the Steelmen of Corby Town have made a great start during August, only losing once and that was to Solihull Moors. Whilst manager Tommy Wright must take many plaudits from their fans, it is wide left midfielder Ashley who caught the eye with several stunning strikes. Two of them alone have been worthy of other possible awards and he richly picks up the Vanarama Player of the Month award.”

Finally, in the Vanarama National League South, the decision was tougher for the panel and a reflection on the great start enjoyed by a number of clubs. However, picking up the award for August is Lee Howells of Bath City. The panel commented: “It was a close call in August for this award, mainly due to two clubs having almost identical records at the top of the division. The judging panel thought long and hard about this month’s recipient and decided that Lee edged it, due to the fact most football aficionados would not have pinpointed the opening sequence of wins which The Romans have been on, with six wins and one draw. Affectionately known as Archie, his leadership has been vital in Bath setting the pace.”

Finalising the awards for August, the Vanarama National League South Player of The Month for August goes to Elliott Buchanan of Bishops Stortford. The panel commented: “The only striker to pick up one of the prestigious awards in August, the Hertfordshire club have been indebted to Elliott who has stood out with a haul of 9 goals to his credit from 11 scored in total by his team. Those goals are the highest scored by any striker across all three divisions, let alone in his own division. Often amongst the leading goal scorer over the season, Elliott has certainly got his nose in front after just seven matches and clearly intends to stay out in front.”