April 2013: First team

Jason has picked his man for April and the Player of the Month award goes to our goalkeeper, Jeremy.

Our boy from the US of A has had quite the season, starting with being awarded the captaincy of the 2nd team and moving on to become the club's first choice goalkeeper.

The manager explains further:

"We've only played a couple of games in the month but Jeremy's general attitude at training and the fact he keeps us all amused in the changing room with his Americanisms and outbursts is great value. 

"In terms of his general performances, he's been terrific, always looking for ways to improve his performances by being self-critical - a typical trait of a good goalkeeper I might add!

"His command of the 18 yard box has given the defence massive confidence which has undoubtedly helped in being one of the meanest defences in the league this season.

"Jeremy has been bordering on the award for months, in fact nearly every month! He's dedicated and enthusiastic, which is half the battle in Sunday league football."

A massive congratulations to Jeremy - he's certainly deserving of this month's award.

The club aim to continue their fine league run - which has seen them defeated just once since September - in the final game of the season against Saints on Sunday.

March 2013: First team

Jason has picked out March's Player of the Month and the award this time goes to the first team's senior player, Jez Ure.

"Jez has been knocking on the door of the award since day one of the season but his outstanding performance at the back against South Manchester in our 0-0 draw and the team having one of the best defensive records in the league with Jez being ever present means he fully deserves the award in March."

Havign also scored in the 4-2 league win over Lawds, there can be little argument with his choice.

Well done Jez

February 2013: First team

Congratulations to Ant Parkin who has been awarded 1st Team Player of the Month for February

What a season it has been so far for Ant. Having only joined the club recently and before this season, most of his appearances have been for our 2nd team, Ant scooped the 2nd team Players Player of the Year award at the end of last season and hasn't looked back.

Don't be fooled by Ant's rather chilled out and unassuming character off the pitch, he's certainly not one to shirk a tackle and has been a revelation since getting his opportunity to play for the 1st team. 

It's not been without the odd hiccup - Ant through himself into a challenge in the first game of the season and knocked himself out cold with concussion. 

That might have put a few people off....not Ant...and a few games later, he was back in the first team and since then has been one of the most consistent players in the team, playing either right back or in a more central role.

1st Team manager Jason commented "Ant has been in the running for plenty of other monthly awards but in particular his performances in February have been outstanding, he continues to get better every week and he has played a massive part in the team conceding only 1 goal in the last 4 games".

Well done Ant from the whole club.

January 2013: Second team

Manager Matt Hall has picked his VMFC Player of the Month for January and this month's award goes to Pete Ransom. 

January has been an up and down month for the VMFC 2nd Team but every fixture has been a close one as the league season draws to a close.

Reviewing the month, Matt said, "January has been a bit of a funny one for the seconds. We've had some of the league's lower placed teams to play and that, combined with having some of the clubs first team players available, has given the second team's performances a somewhat different start of the year. 

"Results have still largely gone against us but we've conceded less and scored more and in some games showed real character and commitment across the team. This has come from both first team players such as Jay, Tom, Sam and Steve and second team players, particularly Jonathan and Spence, with the highlight of the month definitely being the point secured against Gorton Reds last week. 

"Epitomising that, playing in all games and weighing in with a goal has been Pete. Pete has been a model of consistency on the left this month and has risen above the challenges the seconds have faced, not to mention domestic abuse and, of course, continuing to live with me! As a result he is my player of the month for January.

"I'm not sure yet what he'll be drinking as a reward but I can guarantee you he'll be pouring me a large glass!"

The second team's final league fixture of the season is on February 10th. They will be present at the Yorkshire Terriers Tournament in mid-March and have an away friendly against Nottingham Ballbois arranges for April.

February 2012: Second team

In a closely-fought contest for February's player of the month, Ant Parkin has picked up the 2nd team award.

February has been, in a way, possibly the most satisfying month I have had as manager of the second team. 

We're starting to really perform and show what happens when you have a group of players who train and play together regularly and have a real team ethic.

This month has been a very hard month in terms of selecting a player of the month. Starting from the front, Jeremy Baker has been a real addition down the right with great movement and crosses that put even Tom Reece's in the shade. He would have been in the running for player of the month if he could handle some (sorry, any) ale and hadn't spent the Carling cup final cheering for Cardiff at the gaffer's gaff. Jordan has found himself amongst the goals once more but in recent games it has been the players at the back that have really caught my eye. 

Rob McPherson's tackles seem more determined than ever, Johnathan Findlay is playing with real confidence, Sal is back and looking like an animal again, and James Toland has started to exercise judgment to compliment his abilities as a shot stopper. 

But my player of the month for February goes to Ant Parkin. Ant has consistently done everything that a full back ought to, reading the game well, tackling hard and bringing the ball forward. Let's hope everyone keeps this going right through to the end of the season. 

Well done Ant!

by Matt Hall

January 2012: Second team

January's 2nd Team Player of the Month has been announced and picking up the award for the second time this season is Jordan Langford.

A shortened month of fixtures for the second team has seen some real positives after the disappointing end to last year where we were comprehensively beaten by Manchester Athletic and had to concede a game due to not being able to field a team. 

We defended resolutely against Manchester Athletic, getting beaten only by a last minute winner, and we earned very respectable draws against Athletico United and MAB. 

The team throughout January has been a little unsettled but Alex's contribution up front remains as valuable as ever and James Toland has had two good back to back games. His most recent injury has come at a bad time and we wish him a swift recovery. 

We have welcomed new players, with Jeremy Baker looking set to be a good addition to the team, but my player of the month for January goes to Jordan Langford for the second time this season.

Jordan has played for 90 minutes in each game despite having started for the first team throughout January, and his game has shown signs of development because of his commitment. 

We all know how well he can strike the ball but I have been impressed with his ability to do some of the less glamorous work in midfield on cold January evenings after having already played in the morning. Sometimes this award is for someone who has consistently played to their potential but as on this occassion its particularly nice to be able to recognise someone who shown he can offer even more when asked to. 

Well done me old china plate!

by Matt Hall

January 2012: First team

January's 1st Team Player of the Month has been selected and the captain finally gets his hands on the prize!

January has been a frustrating month for the first team. 

We started the year well with a comfortable win over a struggling Manchester Villa, but came up short against arguably the league's two best teams: Miam Miam and South Manchester. 

We have struggled with injuries and form since the summer, and although we did really well in the run up to Christmas, several shortcomings caught up with us against the league's best teams. 

Throughout this whole period several players have had to make sacrificies owing to the absence of others; in particular team captain Jay McNaught. In game after game this season he's had to play more of a holding role in midfield - which he openly hates(!) - but it has been essential and he's done it really well. 

Jay played well in all games in January, even though we didn't get the results we wanted, and continued to lead the lead with his typical commitment and verve even when things were very much against us. He is my player of the month for January and it is well deserved. 

With Sam, Rambo and one or two others now back and starting to acquire match fitness, we should soon be in a better position to compete with the league's best teams in the run in to May

Congratulations Jay

by Antony Lockley