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3 weeks ago
04 October 2017
Murphy and Bracek scoop top honours!
Swinton Lions brought the curtain down on another eventful season in the Kingstone Press Championship, by celebrating the hard work of the current squad at the club’s annual presentation evening. A fantastic attendance of around 250 players, staff and fans, ensured that it was a memorable occasion.
Following the Lions’ success in avoiding relegation to League 1 with some impressive performances in the Championship Shield, as well as the arrival of new Chairman Andy Mazey and confirmation of the settled debt with HMRC, there was plenty for players, staff and supporters to celebrate at the Swinton Royal British Legion.
Every player was recognised for their hard work and commitment to the Lions’ cause across the course of the 2017 season, but it was Andy Bracek who swept up the most awards winning the Man of Steel as well as receiving recognition from his peers and the coaching staff with the Coaches’ and Players’ Player of the Year awards respectively.
Bracek was also commended by the Lions’ fans alongside the departing Shaun Robinson, as they finished second and third respectively in the Supporters’ Player Of The Year award. But the top honour fell to full-back Jack Murphy who has found a place in every Swinton fan’s heart with some impressive performances in a Lions’ shirt.
Speedy winger Mike Butt was congratulated for his try-scoring abilities having finished top of the club’s scoring charts with 19 tries this season, which no doubt led to him also being awarded with the Young Player of The Year award.
Luke Waterworth showed off his instantly recognisable smile as he was awarded Try of the Season and Champagne Moment for his late try at Huddersfield Giants in the Challenge Cup which sealed an unforgettable moment in the fifth-round of the historic competition, one which Swinton have won three times.
Assisting with the awards process was special guest of honour Lizzie Jones, whom MC John “Spelly” Spellman described as the “First Lady of Rugby League”. Contributions from the floor also came from Operations Director Steve Wild, who focussed on thanking a long list of individuals, as well as the fans in general, for their astonishing support particularly during the turbulent times of the last few months. New Chairman Andy Mazey thanked everyone for the warm welcome he’d received from Swinton supporters, and then outlined the club’s intention to move forward in a collective and sustainable fashion.
The full list of award winners is:
Alan Buckley Memorial Trophy (sponsored by Sue Buckley) for leading try scorer:-
Mike Butt
Champagne Moment (sponsored by Steve Moyse):-
Luke Waterworth for his try at Huddersfield Giants in the Challenge Cup.
Try of the Season (sponsored by Ian Jackson):-
Again Luke Waterworth for his effort at Huddersfield in the Challenge Cup.
Young Player of the Year (sponsored by the Lions Supporters’ Trust):-
Mike Butt
John Stopford/Mike Morrison Man of Steel (sponsored by Steve, Tracey and Emily Parker, and selected by the Board in recognition of “consistent endeavour and leadership”):-
Andy Bracek
Coaches’ Player of the Year (sponsored by Alan Marshall):-
Andy Bracek
Players’ Player of the Year (sponsored by the Johnson Family):-
Andy Bracek
Andrew Rigg Memorial Trophy for Supporters’ Player of the Year:-
1st place: Jack Murphy (sponsored by Ian Rigg).
2nd place: Andy Bracek (sponsored by John Spellman).
3rd place: Shaun Robinson (sponsored by John Spellman).
Club Person of the Year
Dedicated in the name of all Swinton fans who had contributed to the recent fundraising efforts, and accepted on their behalf by Stephen Parker, Tracey Parker, and Stuart Fletcher.