PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Right: Colin Little accepts his Players' Player of the Year award.

A very enjoyable and financially successful Player of the Year/Race Night was held by STAR last night at Moss Lane. Not surprisingly, it was Colin Little who went home with a car-boot full of trophies. Having received the Young Supporters' Player of the Year award immediately after the Redditch game, Colin also lifted the STAR Player of the Year, the Altrincham Fans' Forum Internet Player of the Year and the Players' Player of the Year awards in a ceremony excellently compered by STAR's Brian Flynn. A prize draw for various Alty-related items was also held, with Jacqui Forster lifting the first prize of a framed Altrincham photo montage by Gavin Rathbone.

Other players to receive awards were Colin Potts, who received the Outstanding Contribution to the Team award, and Eddie Hussin (3rd) and Stuart Coburn (2nd) who were the runners-up for Player of the Year. Mark Maddox made a presentation on behalf of the team to the Altrincham Board of chairman Geoff Goodwin and directors Grahame Rowley and Andrew Shaw.

The awards took place during a Race Night admirably compered, as usual, by Toni and her youthful helper, Mr George Heslop. The final race involved the auctioning of the competing horses and a consortium of supporters from the Golf Road End dipped very deeply into their pockets to sponsor three horses. It was only fitting that one of these romped home in the race and the Golf Road lads then made the extremely generous gesture of donating their £155 winnings straight back to STAR and the Football Club. Well done to all concerned!

Steve Foster has worked hard for weeks raising funds through his Treble Chance competition and this was won by "Rafo", Moss Lane's very own matchday announcer. Much work was also put in by the other STAR committee members who are all to be thanked for their great efforts, whilst Jenny Heslop and Helen McGuire who had run the bar non-stop since well before the match kicked off at 3pm received a well deserved round of applause.

Above left: Eddie Hussin prepares to present the Players' Player award. Right: Geoff Goodwin receives a presentation from Mark Maddox.