RMI Player of the Year awards

By Matt Lawton
April 29 2006

Following RMI's 2-1 victory over champions Northwich, the presentations were made in the Mick Martyn Bar for RMI's players of the season in various categories.

Although the mood of the awards were obviously slightly muted by the fact that RMI had been relegated from the Conference North barely an hour earlier, the players and coaching staff still received a good reception from RMI and Northwich fans alike who had stayed in the Mick Martyn Bar following the game.

Leigh MP Andy Burnham and Mayor of Leigh & Wigan Brian Jarvis were on hand to present the awards, with Andy Roscoe claiming the first title when he was awarded the Manager's Player of the Year award from RMI boss Andy Nelson.

A special award was made to goalkeeper James Mann in recognition of his terrific attitude and dedication, as he continues to travel the country to train with the rest of the squad and play in games for the club, despite the fact that he hasn't actually made a league appearance for RMI just yet.

Probably the most predictable award of the evening when to Chris Simm when he was presented with RMI's "Goal of the Season" award following his terrific strike in the home victory over Harrogate during the Christmas period, in my opinion the best goal ever scored by an RMI player and comfortably one of the best goals I've ever seen.

Simm also claimed the Player of the Year award voted for by RMI's regular away supporters after he put in a series of good performances on the road over the course of the season.

The most prestigous award is undoubtedly the Player's Player of the Year award, with it always being an honour to receive recognition from your team-mates, a fact that was acknowledged by Andy Nelson in a short speech prior to presenting the award to club captain Andy Roscoe.

One award Roscoe or Simm didn't get their hands on though was the Supporters Club Player of the Year trophy which was presented to midfielder Scott Willis, who actually scored the first goal in this afternoon's victory.

Although relegation is obviously a disappointment, these awards certainly showed that there is a talent amongst the club's squad and that there is certainly a lot to look forward to for next season.