Horsham’s young players turned out in force on Saturday night as the clubhouse hosted the end of season youth awards, the trophies for which had been provided by Crawley Trophies.
Four awards were up for grabs in each of the U 12s to U14s age groups, with three awards for the U 15s and two in the U 18s category. As well as the obligatory managers’ and players’ player awards, the parents of each of the younger squads also voted for their supporters’ player of the season with the final award being presented by club youth co-ordinator, Craig Brewster, to the candidate he felt merited special recognition for their efforts during the past season.
First up were Andy Du Vergier’s talented U12s, who had a phenomenal season in the Mid-Sussex Youth League Division One, finishing joint champions with Hollingbury Hawks in a huge division of fourteen teams, after a thrilling end to the season. Du Vergier’s squad also reached the semi-final of the Sussex County FA cup in a season where Andy was assisted by first team coach Sam Jones.
Under 12s Award winners
Manager’s player – J Hourigan
Players’ player – W Dexter
Supporters’ player – F Fowler
CB Award – C Kerr
Jamie Irving’s U 13s then followed, celebrating a top four finish in the Sussex Sunday Youth League Division One of eleven teams despite losing the influential C McLenahan, who joined Brighton and Hove Albion’s academy midway through the season.
Irving’s squad also have the national finals of the annual ESF tournament to look forward to at St Georges Park, after winning the regional tournament at Butlins, Bognor Regis, recently.
Under 13s Award winners
Manager’s player – A Sullivan
Players’ player – A Sullivan
Supporters’ player – Elliott Dickinson
CB Award – O Vinnicombe
Next up were Graham Du Vergier’s U14s who, by their own high standards, started the season poorly but through hard work and determination finished a creditable fifth in their Mid-Sussex Youth League Division One of twelve teams.
Under 14s Award winners
Manager’s player – S Abrehart
Players’ player – L Nanson
Supporters’ player – G Devlin
CB Award – J York
Craig Brewster’s U 15s would have hoped for a better start to the season but soon picked up, eventually securing fourth spot in their Mid-Sussex Youth League Division One of ten teams.
Under 15s Award winners
Manager’s/CB Award – L Cornish
Players’ player – S Murahwa
Supporters’ player – B Moyo
Didar Kafroshi’s young U18s were the final squad to collect their awards, first receiving their Mid-Sussex Youth League Division One runners-up medals. The squad, made up predominantly of U16 players, maintained an unbeaten home record throughout the season and beat every team in the division at least once (teams play each other three times in a division of seven), finally being pipped to the post after leading the division for the majority of the season.
Pleasingly, four players from the squad also made their debuts in the Isthmian Youth League during the latter stages of the season.
Under 18s Award winners
Manager’s player – Nick Pile
Players’ player – Ollie Hughes
As ever, these kind of events wouldn’t take place without the efforts of the clubhouse staff and volunteers and, as well as managing his own squad and organising our fantastic spring and Christmas tournaments, Jamie Irving deserves special mention for the effort and organisation he puts into ensuring these events run smoothly.
