Shaun Ryder and Sophie Curle were the toast of Teesdale Park after scooping the coveted Fans’ Player of the Year awards at Thornaby FC’s end-of-season presentation night.
The awards evening brought the whole club together to celebrate a campaign of massive progress, resilience and ambition across both the men’s and women’s squads.
For the men’s side, the night was an opportunity to reflect on a brilliant turnaround.
Under the guidance of co-managers Craig Skelton and Simon Kasonali, Thornaby successfully climbed away from relegation trouble, putting together a vital run of form to comfortably secure their ebac Northern League Division One status.
That team effort was epitomised by the awarding of the GM Flooring Fans’ Player trophy to Shaun Ryder, making for one of the most poignant moments of the night.
The inspirational captain had his season cruelly ended early after suffering a severe leg break last month during a match against Boro Rangers, which was rightly abandoned with the score at 1-1.
Ryder’s accolade was part of a wider sweep of men’s awards. Max Booth was chosen as the Durata Manager’s Player of the Year, while Luke Drummond earned the ultimate respect of his peers by taking home The Keys Players’ Player award.
The highly promising Joe Kennedy secured the Steel Benders UK Young Player trophy, and Kieron Parnaby had his moment in the spotlight, winning the TSF Finance Goal of the Year for his audacious and unforgettable lob against Carlisle.
For the women’s team, the night arrived right in the thick of a thrilling end to the campaign.
Thornaby are firmly on course for a historic promotion to the women’s National League North, provided Curtis Collantine’s side maintain their blistering form over the final four games of the North-East Regional Women’s League Premier season.
Leading the line in that promotion push has been the lethal Sophie Curle, who not only took home the GM Flooring Fans’ Player award but also walked away with the Bowers Electricals Club Golden Boot.
Alongside Curle, Eve Gatens was rewarded for her outstanding contributions with the Durata Manager’s Player of the Year award, while Jen Knowles was voted The Keys Player’s Player by her teammates.
Liv Little’s breakthrough campaign was also recognised as she was named the Steel Benders UK Young Player of the Year.
A football club is nothing without its unsung heroes off the pitch and the night rightfully honoured Kev Garbutt, who received a massive ovation as he was awarded the Durata Fabrication Volunteer of the Year for his tireless and invaluable work behind the scenes.
The evening was then capped off with an exciting glimpse into the club’s future.
Following months of deep consultation with the club’s loyal fans and the wider town, Thornaby FC proudly unveiled its new, forward-thinking club badge for the very first time.
The striking new emblem represents the ambition and next chapter for the club, and it will take pride of place on all playing strips from the start of next season.
Images: Riley Snaps
