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)