Gavin Dykes - The Showground fans Player of the Year 2001/2002
Robbie Casey - Pipped at the post
It was a tough battle this season in the Showground Player of the Year Poll. The two main contenders were neck and neck right to the end. It was Robbie Casey and his great tally of goals at the start of the season that got the votes early on. But when he missed a large number of games through injury Gavin Dykes became the main competition. It was a two horse race from then to the end of the season with Robbie picking up some sympathy votes while out injured and some when he had shaken the injury. However, it was Gavin Dykes who remained a strength among the squad, consistent on the pitch and in the poll. Gavin even showed how devoted he was to the club and its survival when in early December he along with Robbie Casey, Seamus Kane, Lee Anderson and Raymond Byrne handed back their wages amid a cash crisis at the club. Gavin isn't even a local of the Town but his act of loyalty did not go unnoticed by the fans. He picked up a suspension in March for his disciplinary record but he managed to pip Robbie Casey by just a few vital votes in the end. Robbie Casey who was third in last season's poll was just pushed into second spot but well ahead of third place Lee Anderson.
Next season's poll will be much more interactive with the ability to follow the results of the poll throughout the season. The whole site will be re-vamped in the coming months thanks to the support of McIvor Farrell Solicitors and fans of this site who will take a more active roll in updating the content.
Gary McPhee - The Showground fans Player of the Year 2000/2001
Player
Of The Year 2000/2001
They say its a funny old
game. Who would have supposed that this years Showground fans 'Player of the
Year' would neither start the season nor end it with Newry Town. That's exactly
what happened for Gary McPhee joined Newry from Coventry in September on loan.
Gary made a huge impression at Newry scoring 23 goals in all competitions. In
fact he made such a good impression that he was eventually moved to QPR.
I'm sure everyone wishes him well at his new club. Last years winner Mark
Rutherford also ended the season elsewhere (Bohemians) and this took a toll on
his votes, but he still managed a respectable fifth spot. Robbie Casey's fine
displays as captain this season have seen him capture third spot. Even Paul
Stranney, winner of our 1998/99 poll, who has only made a couple of appearances
managed a few votes more than the rest of the field !
Gary McPhee sent us this message for the fans:
I am writing this email to ask u if u could post a message on the web site
to thank the Newry fans for their support throughout the season!
I would like to apologise for not attending the supporters end of
season party. I did not attend, as I was let down by the club management.
They would not settle a financial dispute, even though I was told this
would happen prior to coming over to Northern Ireland! I would like to thank
the supporters for voting me their player of the year and wish the club all
the best for the forth coming season.
Yours Sincerely,
Gary McPhee
|
|
Player
Of The Year 1999/2000
Your votes have been cast all
through the season and last years winner Paul Stranney isn't
going to make it two in a row but who can be surprised since he has been injured
all season. Mark Rutherford was running away with the poll earlier in the season
but since his injury others have risen to catch up.
Despite this Marko has come
through and won, although for a while it looked as though Seamus might catch
him. It was good to see many local fellas doing well in the poll including
Cowan, Fitzgerald and John Joe. Although it was to be expected that Paul
Stranney wouldn't do as well this season he did manage to get 3% of the votes -
no mean feat considering his injury.
Anyway I have provided two charts, the first is a more general look at the
results and the second includes a few more players. I grouped the players with
2% and less of the vote as 'Others'. Next season, if I continue this website
(not enough support from the club) I will try to give updates on the vote
throughout the season.
By the way - the player that wins doesn't get
anything cause this website is skint and gets no support from anywhere but the
winning player will have all the prestige of knowing he was voted number one!
©2000 Jonny McCullagh