One man seemed to galvanise the Salmon to action last season, and that man was the Orange Roughy- Johnny Sneyd.
Johnny has been with the Salmon since 2000, but he did take a couple of seasons off in the middle of the decade.
Over the years Johnny has played almost every position for the salmon including captain and vice-captain, and has been a standout in each- remember his goalkeeping heroics? He finally settled on an attacking midfield role, plundering the centre circle and playing provider to the strikers.
He was not unable to score himself however, and he scored the goal of the season in 2007, drilling a top left rocket in skiddy conditions versus Stop Out.
Johnny quite rightly won the coveted ‘Spirit of the Salmon’ award in 2009- essentially the player’s player.
It is at this point that I admit that I have not always seen eye to eye with Johnny since our shared penchant for solo running means that usually one of us is standing still gesticulating and yelling while the other speeds off for another mazy run.
But in 2009 our partnership clicked. Johnny was selfless with his passing setting me up with many a well timed through ball and typically reckless and aggressive in the challenge, winning many midfield 50-50s. His enthusiasm and spirit dictated the tempo of many matches and when he wasn’t playing he was missed.
Johnny has decided not to continue with the salmon in 2010 since his family is expanding once more.
We wish Johnny all the best.
Remember: Once a Salmon, always a Salmon.
