2013 Season wrap and awards

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)

End of Year Awards and Wrap up 2012

The 2012 Season was a strange one- no cancellations, a raft of new players and the return of some older ones, a huge squad and yet we were scratching around for players in the end. We had our best finish in the league for 3 years, but still only just staved off relegation. It was our worst finish in the cup ever; still enough highlights  in the season to make it all seem worthwhile with the game against Meke which will go down in Salmon folklore as one of the great escapes. (If i ever get time ill recount the other great games in our folkore!)

The defining moments were the two night defeats against Naenae (5-0) and Petone (5-1). They were two lacklustre efforts immediatley after we had secured good victories- had we won them, and both games were winnable, we could have challenged for a top four finish. I say this every year but if we can reatin the same team, put in soem training and take personal responsibiltiy for fitness over the break - we could make a good fist of getting back into the top four, if not the top two and challenging for silverware next year.

Here are the Salmon season awards for 2012

Best ‘in game’ – Highest Scorers in MOM point system

Tie-

Richard Martin (10 pts)

Michael Ashby (10 pts)

Goal Scorers

Golden Boot

Craig Ireson-23 goals

Silver Boot

Matthew Fulton- 6 goals

Steve Westcott – 4 goals

Sam Mills – 3 goals

Danny Culling – 1 goal

Max Rashbrooke- 1 goal

John Hudson – 1 goal

‘Steve Austin Bionic Man’ award

To Callum; consistently the shortest man on the field and out jumping everyone & bonus points for his Naked 400 winnning exploits

Lisa Simpson award for Attendance

Tie: Matt Fulton and Craig Ireson- 17 appearances each

The Who is Max Rashbrooke award for rarest Salmon:
Max Rashbrooke (2 appearances, and these still netted a goal and some MOM points!)

Supporter of the Year

Kahu Kirikiri

Injured in the preseason Kahu came to two games, seeing us whip BNU and then reffed for us against North Wellington.

Best Opposition

Island Bay JJs

Hard and fair, two draws was a good result against them

Worst opposition

Really? Naenae were shocking-no nets, a ref who couldn't run, an assault, a sh*t ground, a dubious penalty in the last game- a horrible club. To be fair however they did react appropriatley against their guy who punched Ashby and that is to their credit, but last time we were on that ground Kahu had his ribs broken, so there must be something about them.

The young guys from Meke and North Wgtn were lippy and arrogant- what is about the youuth of today? Sam and Callum weren't like that however!

Game of the year

Winner

6-5 versus Meke

It had it all really, mutliple come backs- a 40 metre chipped goal, hissy fits, a penatly denied, poor goalkeeping and a cracking free kick- plus a Salmon victory!

Runners up:

5-1 vs Naenae

Probably the most consistent performance all year.

3-3 vs Island Bay

Many felt like this was a loss; in fact it was a very hard fought and well earnt 1 point.

Assist of the Year

Ashby's slalom run against Naenae which ended him tangling with the tackler, only to be punched in the jaw. The free kick was converted and Ashby played on. The assailant didn't.

Goal of the year

Craig's Free kick against Meke- OK the wall was poorly placed but it was a bullet drive from 25 yards which sealed a classic victory.

Runners Up

Fultons tap in header after a lung busting run vs Island Bay- great build up work from Callum, led to a great run and pinpoint cross from Steve W.

Craig's first of the season and the 2nd against Uni  at Melrose- Danny and Steve did all the work but the finish, a top of the box screamer was nice- it was only a consolation goal however

Steve W's aforementioned 40 metre chip from a throw in against Meke- great vision and it set us rolling on the 2nd half fight back

Steve W's scything run and shot vs Brooklyn- Craig set him off and he collected and lashed the finish just inside the box

& now for the big awards

Player of the Season
Richard Martin
Consistently one of the best players on the park from either team- his athleticism and attitude kept us in many games much longer than we should have been, and in many cases his heroics brought us home the points.

Runner's up
Callum Crane

The Tasmanian Devil was a standout at right back, showing great technique in tackling, heading and passing.

Michael Ashby
No goals but lots of hard running and positive attitude- plenty to suggest his best is still yet to come and that the elusive net will be found!

We used to have a most improved award, but some felt it was a kind of backhaned compliment, if we still awarded it i think it would go to Ashby.

Craig Ireson

23 goals from 17 games? A pretty good return. He set a few up too, only a few though.

Fresh Fish-Best newcomer

It was close and there were plenty of good newcomers this year; Steve W must also be mentioned for some great skill and power in midfield but over the course of the season it came down to:

Callum Crane

Runner's Up

Ashby

Steve Westcott

Sam Mills

Fulton

Spirit of the Salmon (tie)
Dave Armstrong/Adam Holloway
Runner's up
Richard Martin
Craig Ireson

Inaugaurated into the Order of the Salmon 2012- (Lifetime Membership)

Steve Jessup

2012 Awards-Brief recap

Another great night on Saturday (and another Father's Day spent nursing a sore head).

Special Mention must be made of the Tasmanian Tiger Callum Crane who went one better that Ashby's Silver in the Nudey 400 last year and won.
Thats right we have the fastest naked runner in the club- well done Callum

A full run down of team awards will be posted soon, but to recap the major awards:

Player of the Season
Richard Martin

Runners up
Callum Crane
Michael Ashby
Craig Ireson
 

Fresh Fish
Callum Crane

Runners Up

Ashby

Steve Westcott

Sam Mills

Fulton

Spirit of the Salmon (tie)
Dave Armstrong/Adam Holloway
Runners up
Richard Martin
Craig Ireson

Inaugaurated into the Order of the Salmon 2012- (Lifetime Membership)

Steve Jessup

Salmon 2011 Season Wrap & Awards

Wgtn Utd Salmon 2011
League Placing= 7th/8, on goal difference, equal 6th/8 on points
Cup Placing= 6th

Player of the Season
Simon Healy- A consistently solid performer

Runner up=Jeremy Norman

Spirit of the Salmon
Warrick Jackson-Two goals and full of passion

Runners up= Craig Ireson/Richard Hallam

Fresh Fish- Best newcomer
Richard Martin- Great athleticism and organising, clever distribution

Runner up= Matthew Fulton

2011 Inductee into Order of the salmon- aka Life Membership:
Warrick Jackson

Who now joins:
Nic Preddle (2007)
Craig Ireson (2008)
Kahu Kirikiri (2009)
Adam Holloway (2010)

Golden Boot
Craig Ireson- 18 Goals

Silver Boot
Matthew Fulton-4 Goals

Lisa Simpson Award for Attendance
Craig Ireson/John Dow- 17 games each

Steve Austin Awards for commitment over and above
Warrick Jackson- Twice turning up injured or sick to play and/or ref (v.s Bears and v.s Karori)
Michael Ashby for restoring Salmon pride with a blinding, literally blinding, naked 400 metre spring and getting 2nd place.

Game of the Year

The last minute draw against Uni in the mud was very enjoyable, but not a pretty sight. The two draws against Legends, the first game of the Season and the cup draw, were also very enjoyable. But the last game of the league against the Bears, a 3-1 win was the game of the season. A scratch team playing out of position, an early goal to the Bears, a fight back, a sending off, a hattrick to the skipper and 3pts which put tipped us into double figures. What a game.

Goal of the Year

Take your pick from two of Rowan's- the first goal against the Legends,a top corner screamer, or his header against the Saints from a pin point Ireson cross, or Jeremy's top corner belter against the Saints (admittedly a very scant consolation goal). but really I'd personally find it hard to go past my own effort against the Terrace at Te Whaea. I have now scored 152 goals for the Salmon and this would be in the top three. A quick team move to set me free, then three cut backs inside to enter the box to unleash a chip into the far right corner. It was an important goal as well, taking us back into the lead after the Terrace started to gain some traction after a jammy equaliser.

Miss of the year
Runner Up-Ashby had a blinding chance to open his account against the Beavers at Nairnville- A Fulton cross having him 1 on 1 against their stand in keeper, but his first touch bounced it softly into the keepers gloves, when the whol goal beckoned.

Winner- Well, when you have scored 18 goals in a season you have to miss a few right? A lofted free kick from Simon against the Petoen Foresure at Wakefield bounced into my path 4 yards out. I missed. Petone won the game, Boo.

Orange Roughy Award for seeing red:
Ants the Cambodian Assasin with a round house swing against the Bears, which thankfully missed
Runner up: the original Orange Roughy Johnny Sneyd, with his hot temper against the Bears

Actually maybe the Bears are the link here?

Opposition of the Year
Seatoun Gulls
Very good team, and gracious with it, bet us both times we played although we gave them a run for their money

Word up! Cameo of the Year

Danny made three nice cameos, and Rowan played four games and scored four. Scott Dunkerly from the Ressies played twice and had a great game against the Bears. Craig Stewart scored in his only appearance against the Rovers.
I was going to give it to Rowan, but I think Dali was our cameo of the year. Two Games (v.s Legends and Vs. Bears) and he kept the step overs to a minimum and defended well. The best two games he has played for us.

Summary:
Not a great season, but not the worst- Great team spirit as always, some classic results, som stunnign goals, only two real capitulations, both against Upper Hutt. There is enough there to suggest that the best is yet to come from this team, so lets consolidate, keep fit, stay in touch and hit it hard next year.

And the Winners are...

2010 Award Winners

Golden Boot
Craig Ireson- 13 Goals
Silver Boot
Dan Mitchener & Danny Culling- 3 Goals each

Fresh Fish-Best Newcomer
Enrico Ferrucci

Runner up
Nathan Rattray

Spirit of the Salmon
Richard Hallam

Runner up
Lane Nichols

Player of the Season
Simon Healy

Runner up
Nigel Kum

Inducted into the Order of the Salmon for 2010
Adam Holloway

2010 Season Awards-Nominees

The awards ceremony is at 5pm at Bar Edward, Newtown tonight

The nominees for the big three awards are:

2010 Player of the Season
Nominees: Nigel Kum, Danny Culling, Simon Healy

2010 Spirit of the Salmon
Nominees: Richard Hallam, Craig Ireson, Dave Armstrong, Lane Nichols, Kahu Kirikiri, Nigel Kum, Stefano

2010 Fresh Fish- Best Newcomer
Nominees: Nathan Rattray, Simon Healy, Enrico Serruci, Dan Mitchener

2010 Season Awards-Voting is open

Ok team; we have one match to go- the play off for 5th/6th against Seatoun- this is fitting since Seatoun are the team we should have put away both times we played them, so now we have the opportunity to do so and finish on a high.

The following weekend is the WUAFC Club Prizegiving at Newtown Park- if you haven't already signalled your intention to attend please do so. Before the club prizegiving we will have a team prizegiving at Bar Edward- here is your chance to vote in this process.

We have three official awards for our team which will get handed out at the Club wards. These are:
Fresh Fish 2010
Spirit of the Salmon 2010
Player of the Season 2010

Fresh Fish is the best newcomer (1-2 seasons with the Salmon). You do not have to vote for this since ill take MOM pts and player of the season votes into account- but if you want to vote that is fine too.

Spirit of the Salmon is the player's player award- the person who gave the most on and off the field and generally made an effort to enjoy and get the most out of the season. Please vote for this.

Player of the Season is self explanatory- the player who had the most impact on the field.

Please vote for this. Your votes for Player of the Season will be added to the MOM pts to find the winner.

Unofficial awards- feel free to vote on the following categories, and to add your own:

Game of the season
Goal of the season
Blooper (miss/foul/stuff up) of the season
Best opposition
Worst opposition
Save of the season
Quote of the season

Anything else you happen to have an opinion about.

Voting closes 5pm Saturday 28 August.