KAI AND KIE RISE HIGH AS DOUG CARRIES HOME THE JUG
KAI Allsopp was the big winner at Ascot United’s end-of-season awards night.
Held in the covered area outside The Ascot Sports Bar, MC Neal Jeffs oversaw proceedings on a night when Kai Allsopp picked up both the managers’ and players’ player of the season awards.
Chairman Rob Jones spoke first, celebrating how proud he was that the team had really “come together in the past few weeks” in securing their Step-4 Isthmian League south Central Division Status for what will be a fourth season.
Rob was quick to acknowledge those behind the scenes – especially those overseeing and executing the catering – without them there is no fuel for the fight.
Allsopp’s entourage commented how chuffed they were seeing as “Kai’s never won anything, even going back to school days”; prefect redemption for the popular, positive midfielder who was part of the Badshot Lea side that lost their status at this level one year earlier.
The Supporters’ Player of the year award unanimously went to goalkeeper Kie Plumley, an award presented by Zach Benzie. Zach, along with dad Ryan – himself a manager junior set up – have been regulars at home and away games and it was befitting that Zach got the chance to step up.
Speaking of Plumley, Neal said “this is a player who got even better after coming back from a hand injury. We knew we’d need to keep it tight in some of those games towards the end of the season and that performance had Hanworth Villa with maybe ten-or-so saves was right up there, together with all the penalty saves across the season – and follow-ups to them!”
Manager Gavin Smith was quick to jump in an add “he’s the best ‘keeper in the league” after also celebrating his side’s end-of-season heroics.
Technically, Lucias Vine scored the most goals this season with eleven, but as the top scoring present member of the squad with ten strikes, the Golden Boot went to Luis Le Paih. Le Paih was also part of the Badshot Lea side last season.
Ezekiel Williams’s stunning volley in the away dismantling of Egham Town was the goal of the season – fittingly watched by Ascot’s largest travelling support of the season – with assistant Vic Ocansey tasked with passing it on to the now-departed forward.
Josh Edwards received a belated award for reaching 100 appearances – now having reached 112 after Saturday’s game – and Gavin Smith was equally glowing about his club captain who stuck with the club when he could have gone elsewhere, leading them to safety. Josh will relocate to Swindon, and Gavin wished him well wherever he lands. The supporters echo that sentiment of the defensive rock.
But the final award of the night was the club’s prestigious Ben Reddy Award, presented to the clubperson who embodies the spirit of Ben himself. Ben came through the Ascot junior ranks to the senior side before being killed in action in Afghanistan aged 22, just under 2 years after becoming a Royal Marine Commando. Ben’s legacy lives on in the award, and its recipient embodies Ben’s attributes of commitment, dedication, selflessness and going that extra mile for the team. Stepping up to present the award, Director Doug Page did not know it was he himself who was the winner. Once again befitting, Doug coached Ben as a junior and won the award for his tireless service. Doug is seemingly always down the club, hands-on alongside normal duties including sorting out goalposts, arranging awards, overseeing hospitality for visiting Directors and Officials; he is someone with yellow blood.
The only final inquest pending was in respect of the whereabouts of the social kitty held by Cameron Rohart-Brown – and the whereabouts of Rohart-Brown himself – possibly not the wisest move to abscond with funds in the presence of several retired police detectives. Even if that’s not yet been found, end-of-season form certainly was and we drink to that, even if it is currently on the slate…
Image: Smith with Allsopp (shooting-stars.co.uk)
Players Player – Kai Allsopp
Managers Player – Kai Allsopp
Supporters Player – Kie Plumley
Golden Boot – Luis Le Paih
Goal of the Season – Ezekiel Williams
Ben Reddy Award – Doug Page