Ro's Player of the Year Awards

By Ro
April 23 2003

The Player of the Season Awards dinner is now looming large in Members' calendars and a great deal of thought is going into who should get those all-important votes.

Which player has stood head and shoulders above his team mates, led from the front, shown great service to the club? Which youngster has shone this season?

But the characters who make the year all the more memorable don't always do so for their great sporting prowess. And in recognition of this, here's an alternative set of awards to recognise those 'alternative' endeavours. The original intention was that these should be exclusively Tigers Awards, but some other players have proved to be so exceptional in their field that they simply could not be ignored.

So, without further ado, here are the winners of Ro's Extremely Unofficial Tigers Supporters Awards 2002/2003.

The Winston Stanley "Sudden Rush of Blood to the Head" award goes to Scotland's Simon Taylor for his early (practically pre-match) tackle on Josh Lewsey - England v Scotland 6 Nations 2003.

Glaws' Olivier Azam wins the The Austin Healey "Mr Versatility" award (NOT).

The Pat Howard "Hairstyle of the Year" award winner is Peter Short who, although not a regular first-team starter, has ably demonstrated grit, determination and single-mindedness in growing those flowing locks.

The "Not One Backward Step" award goes to Martin Johnson for his impression of an immovable object - Dublin 2003.

The Sonia McLoughlin "Gosh Aren't You Tall?" interview technique award was not presented this year. It would have gone to our very own Tigers Tart, but she's far too good!

The Lumbers "Cutest Player of the Month" recipient is Harry Ellis, awarded on the grounds that he wins it whether he's been playing or not. (I'm sure he votes for himself!)

The "Who Ate All the Pies" award goes to Ollie 'Hollow Legs' Smith for his amazing dustbin-like capacity. (While greatly disappointed that the boys won't be sticking around at the Members Awards dinner to eat with us I was somewhat relieved as I didn't want to have to fight him for my pudding!)

"Rear of the Year" is, of course, Jamie Hamilton. (I thought it was just a scrum-half thing, but, sorry Tom, yours does nothing for me!)

There was a tie for the "Yellow Card" award after Johnno had one of his quashed. The judges finally decided that it should go to Lewis Moody, on the basis that, after being out for months, he managed to get carded about 5 minutes into his return match.

The Unofficial Message Board "Comment of the Year" goes to our favourite, Mr Officeboy Sir, for his Michael Holford / Robbie Morris / Head / Shove / A**e comment.

And the "Tigers Team of the Year" goes the Under 21s (Babies, Cubs - whatever you want to call them) for standing head and shoulders above their opposition, being in the thick of it when things kick off, and showing bravery above and beyond the call of duty in the face of Tigers Tart's interview technique.