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Player of the month 2016-17
VMFC's player of the month awards 2016-17 are sponsored by
New York New York
James Cole
April 2017
Second Team
Manager Westy: "James has been an absolute pleasure to play with in the last couple of VMFC second team games.
"His football skills have progressed massively towards the end of the season. He's pretty much sealed the right back position in the second team and has proven himself time and time again.
"His continuing involvement in the second team is going to be crucial going in to our new league next season and
"I'm sure James will bring his everything to the back four line up each week starting in September"
Alex West
April 2017
First Team
Manager Jay has decided his last Player of the Month of the season is his four times Man of the Match Westy.
Jay said: "Another month, another extension of some fantastic defending and clean sheets! Alex West was again a big part of the final few games and he is a deserving recipient of the POTM award for April: committed and taking leadership of the back line, I've been impressed with how strongly he has finished the season. Well done, Alex!"
Phil Wilkinson
March 2017
Second Team
Manager Westy: "With the second team having more football this month, including the great performance in the Yorkshire 5-a-side tournament, the job of picking POTM is even more difficult than usual.
"This month I have chosen Phil Wilkinson due to his sheer work rate in the matches played. Against Mersey he covered miles of ground in midfield and didn't allow any oppposition players time on the ball to form a good attack. A job the defence will be thankful for.
"The same can be said with his performance against London Romans, and his attitude towards training is simply brilliant. POTM for March, is Phil Wilkinson and it's very deserving. Well done Phil, I'll see you at training!"
Jeremy Baker
March 2017
First Team
Manager Jay said: "When putting an unbeaten run together, all players have to perform to their best; that has been true of all involved in 2017 as we enter our fourth month of the calendar year without loss.
"March in particular was a fantastic month with a 100% win rate and just the one goal conceded (from a penalty!) Defensively, the team has been improving all season and they are a major factor in why we are challenging for promotion (with us having the joint best defensive record in the league). One player specifically has stood out this month and his performances have significantly contributed to getting points on the board: Jeremy Baker has been excellent whenever he has been called upon and is a throughly deserving recipient of the Player of the Month award for March. We are extremely lucky to have such a talented and well liked goalkeeper and I am delighted that I am able to praise him with this award. Keep up the fantastic work, Americ-or!"
Shane Rider
February 2017
Second Team
Brand new second team manager Alex West conferred with outgoing manager Rob McPherson to come up with their February player of the month.
Alex said: "Having only seen a small amount of second team football this month, I have had a quick chat with Rob and we have both agreed to award Shane Rider with his first Player of the Month! From joining the club, Shane has become a lot more confident, much stronger, and much more capable of playing good football. Well deserved Shane."
Sal
February 2017
First Team
Manager Jay: "February has been the month of draws with three consecutive games ending in a tie with a weekend off thrown in there, too. It does mean we have stretched our unbeaten run to 8 games and it is nearly three months since we last lost a game, so credit to all.
"This month we had numerous players putting in fine individual performances with Alex, Sal, and Ben picking up MOM awards, whilst Damien and James both scored this month to continue their battle for top scorer.
"Munetsi, Joe and Ben also registered goals whilst defensively - despite still having regularly different back 4s - we have improved as the season has gone on.
"For February, however, I think it's apt that the Player of the Month is the guy who has registered both his first goal AND his first assist of the campaign from the middle and I've been delighted with the effort he's put in in some tough games - I can always rely on him to give everything. So, congratulations Mr Sal(ad), you are the POTM for February. Well done!"
Simon McDonald
January 2017
Second Team
Manager Rob McPherson has chosen Simon McDonald to be his player of the month for January.
"My choice for this month was based on performances in training and Simon has done really well in the sessions. He has stood out with his touch and distribution of the ball being excellent and you can see that he is growing in confidence. He has come on leaps and bounds since he joined the club and he fully deserves this award for this impressive improvement."
Munetsi Mbano
January 2017
First Team
January saw a fantastic month for the first team with four wins from four and some excellent displays across the squad. Manager Jay said: "It was a tough decision to pick just one player for the award, however both Damien and James Wilson scored some crucial goals at key times and the back four has picked up some good form despite still being chopped and changed due to injury and availability.
"Jeremy has made some cracking saves and the new lads, including Joe Matthews, have all played well. However, sometimes the work rate of players off the ball gets overlooked by some and, whilst all of the players put in good shifts to help the team in January, there was one player this month who stood out in terms of the effort put in. Combined with his best run of form in front of goal, too, with three goals in four games, my player of the month for January is Munetsi Mbano. Well done, Munetsi!"
Sam Hardstaff
December 2016
Second Team
Manager Rob McPherson has picked Sam Hardstaff as his final player of the month of 2016. Speaking about his decision Rob said: "Sam had a tough opening to the season but his performances in December where much more like what we are used to and deservedly earn him this accolade.
"I have had to play him out of position a few times this season but in December he was back in his usual position in centre midfield and his tigerish work is exactly what I like from my players - commitment, determination, honesty and effort."
Igor Nunes
December 2016
First Team
Manager Jay finishes the year by choosing Igor for the second time this season: "Only a couple of games in December but ones in which the first team has found their touch again, due in part to a few good performances by one particular player.
"A crucial winning goal in a 4-3 epic just before Christmas sums up just how important he can be! I am really pleased to say, for the second time this season, that my player of the month for December is Igor Nunes. Well done, Igor!"
George Walpole
November 2016
Second Team
Second team manager Rob McPherson has decided that his Player of the Month for November is George Walpole. Speaking about his selection Rob said: “I was basing my decision on the performances in the game against HotScots and George was one of the stand-out performers. Every game that he plays he is getting better and better and this bodes really well for the future. His reading of the game and movement continually thwart attacks and he has a determination in the tackle that I wholeheartedly approve of.
“During the game George had to come off with a whack to the face but it was not long until he was back on the pitch and this willingness and grit is something that I appreciate in my players. Well done and well deserved George.”
Damien Mooney
November 2016
First Team
Manager Jay: "Goals win games as they say and, whilst November has seen our form dip for the first time this season, one player has maintained his run of good performances and has started to hit the goal trail, too.
"I am delighted that he is looking sharper and fitter and long may it continue as the season progresses. He has the potential to finish the season with a haul of goals beyond anybody else at the club and I am pleased to say that my player of the month for November is Damien Mooney. Well done, Damo!"
David Hayes
October 2016
Second Team
The second team player of the month is David Hayes. Commenting on his selection, second team manager Rob McPherson said: “There were a few contenders for this month’s award but David’s contribution made him stand out. In my formations the striker’s role is a tough one but his aptitude and attitude has been impressive. In the games he has played he has been an extremely useful outlet, holding the ball up and bringing other people into the game.
"What really clinched it though was the speech he gave at the end of the Titans tournament as it showed his importance and dedication to the club. A well-deserved recipient.”
Igor Nunes
October 2016
First Team
First team manager has made his seletion:
"October was a busy month for the first team with five games in a range of competitions. With some very good individual performances to go alongside some great team efforts - the first team are now unbeaten in eight games - it made for a very tricky decision in deciding who has been the stand out player for the month.
"Alex West has improved as the season has progressed and had a good spell of games where he was very consistent in his performances. James Wilson has continued to lead well and both Karl Storey and Ben Thomas have improved their game play and become important parts of the team. Jose has brought some extra competition to the left side and Munetsi even scored his first goal!
"However, one player has just edged it and I've been impressed by his commitment to the team as well as his desire for himself and the rest of the group to better themselves. He capped off the month by scoring in our last three games and has contributed with assists, too. My first team Player of the Month for October is the fabulous Igor Nunes. Well done, Igor!"
Alex Amidulla
September 2016
Second Team
The second team Player of the Month for September is Alex Amidulla. Speaking of his decision manager Rob McPherson said: "It was great to have a big squad to choose from for the league opener against Yorkshire Terriers. Despite the scoreline I thought that Alex had a great game. He pulled off some stunning saves - one particularly great one where he pushed a fierce shot onto the bar - and had an excellent command of his area.
"I would like to think that he will have quieter games in the future but it is great to know that we have a dependable keeper behind us when called upon."
James Wilson
September 2016
First Team
New first team manager Jay McNaught said: "September was the First Team's inaugural month in the L and C Amateur Football League and I am delighted that a good start was had by many players. Ben Thomas, Jeremy Baker and Alex West, amongst others, all displayed their value to the team over the past weeks and it is encouraging to see these players develop their game.
"James Wilson, however, was a highly consistent and important player in all four league games and his commitment to the team so far this season, alongside some excellent, combative displays in centre midfield mean he is the Player of the Month for September. James must now look to push on and help others raise their game further so that as a club we can climb towards the promotion places in the league. Well done, James!"