Wellington United Salmon
Awards 2013
Season in summary:
Plenty of new faces this year meant that we had one of the
lowest rates of ring-ins ever, often having to turn players away even in
mid-winter due to high numbers. The season started poorly with the losses
against Phat Boys and Chuggers putting us on the back foot right away, when
both games were winnable. But then came one of the most bizarre games in Salmon
history- the 9-2 trouncing of a dismal Uni Unicorns- Dismal because they moaned
and whinged their way through the 90 as we schooled them in the ways of the
Salmon. This was followed up by the very good win over the Nighthawks in
Newtown 1. Unfortunately the momentum stuttered as we slumped to multiple
losses, admittedly against some very good teams. However we managed to battle
back, picking up 4 points out of 6 over Petone Dreamers, including our first
clean sheet in over 2 years. Unfortunately we also racked up some pretty hefty
defeats including embarrassing score lines against the JJs and Aces. A
highlight however was going down 5-0 after 20 minutes in the return against
Uni- normally this would have signalled a mega collapse, possibly even 15 nil-
but we battled back to score 2 unanswered goal and keep the score respectable,
even picking up an aggregate win over them over 2 legs.
We went into the final
three games needing at least a win to stave off relegation. It was well against
the odds to pick this win up against the Aces, but that’s what we did- beating
the League leaders 4-1 away. In typical Salmon style we turned up next week
against the rather dreadful Phat Boys and got played off the park by them.
However the season ended on a high with a confident second win over Naenae.
So we ended up third from bottom, safe from relegation and
with the worst defence and the fourth best offence. However when you see how
teams like Aces and Uni fell apart when we beat them you’d say we won the
League on spirit. No-one (well almost no-one) spat the dummy and we all marched
back to the pub like troopers win, lose or draw.
This was evidenced in the great turn out last Saturday for
the end of season-we had a great time and once again (thanks to Dan) picked up
first place in the Nudie 400 Run. Next year I propose a fully nude away kit!
So to the awards:
Minor awards
Fresh Fish- Best New comer- as judged by Craig, with help
from MOM votes
Winner
Mike Upchurch
Supporter of the Year
Simone Harris
Supporters Player of
the Year
Winner
Callum Crane
Runners Up
Steve Westcott
Richard Martin
Craig Ireson
Best in Game (Most
MOM Points)
Tie- Callum and Richard M (12 points each)
Game of the Year
4-1 Win vs. Aces
Runners up
7-0 win vs Petone
9-2 win over Uni
3-2 win over Naenae
Opposition of the
year
Naenae Nighthawks
Goal of the Year
Steve Westcott vs Naenae
Craig tackles right back, passes to Banksy -dribbles, passes
to Steve who blasts it for 2-1
Runners up
James-lob vs. Chuggers
Fulton-Header vs. Uni
Craig-Lob vs. Naenae
Craig, header off Callum cross vs. Petone dreamers
Captain’s Choice
Award for commitment on the field
Steve Westcott
Steve Austin Award for Stupidity and/or
Bravery
Mike Upchurch for getting knocked out then scoring vs. Aces
Dan Jonkers for putting his nuts on the line (twice) vs.
Naenae
Best DJ Award
Matt O’Driscoll
Worst DJ Award
Matt O’Driscoll
Best goal celebration
Craig blowing kisses to the pretty girls vs. Aces
Worst goal
celebration
Craig blowing kisses to ugly Nighthawks
Official Awards
Golden Boot
Craig Ireson- 21 Goals
Silver Boot
Matt Fulton- 4 goals
Bronze Boot
Mike Upchurch - 3 goals
Other scorers
2 goals
Adam Ray
Matt O'Driscoll
Callum Crane
Steve Westcott
Sam Mills
1 Goal
James Stewart
Steve Ensslen
Dave Armstrong
Michael Ashby
Brad
Trent
Own Goal (Uni)
Spirit of the Salmon
Finalists
Craig Ireson
Matt O'Driscoll
Adam Holloway
Richard Martin
Winner
Matt O'Driscoll
Player of the Year
Finalists
Matt O'Driscoll
Steve Westcott
Richard Martin
Callum Crane
Winner
Callum Crane
Club Award
Craig Ireson was joint Golden Boot for club with 22 goals (21 for salmon, 1
for Masters One)
Order of the
Salmon-Life Membership
2013 inductee-Richard
Hallam
Joining:
Nic Preddle (2007)
Craig Ireson (2008)
Kahu Kirikiri (2009)
Adam Holloway (2010)
Warrick Jackson (2011)
Stephen Jessup (2012)
