2002 Player Of The Year Awards
make mine a double!
By The Spider
April 18 2002
Queen's Park Supporters Association Player Of The Year Awards for Season 2001/2002 Queen's Park Social Club Saturday, 13th April, 2002
The 2002 awards ceremony on 13th April was a low key affair. Perhaps it was the new seating arrangements which restrict the numbers able to gather in front of the stage, or just the general apathy following a poor season. Either way, it seemed strange to be having the presentations this early when May has been the norm for a number of seasons, but with this being the last home game, there was no avoiding it.
As usual, Q.P.S.A. Secretary Keith McAllister was first on the scene to set the proceedings in motion. Keith has been organising this for over 25 years now (frightening!) and he quickly introduced his partner in crime, Alan Hutchison who provided his normal end of season review in his own unique, but amusing nonetheless, style.
Auld Beardy The Doc
Apart from the various awards, there was also the raffle for the much sought after framed Q.P. jersey which had been signed by all the former players who attended the Ross Caven Testimonial Dinner the previous month (also see the link to this at the foot of the page). The name drawn out the hat by Tony Quinn was that of Christine Myles who was gently shoved in the direction of the stage by her daughter Eileen, who was already practising her "please mummy, can I have it" speech before it was handed over to Christine.
For the first time in the trophy's history following the severing by the Club's of their links with City Press Ltd., the "Strollers Player Of The Year" was to be unsponsored. Notwithstanding this, David Tate dug deep into his own pocket to ensure that this fine tradition would continue and that the "Tate's Topper" award would indeed continue to flourish despite speculation to the contrary. Scoop's choice was Willie Martin, a deserving recipient of the trophy.
Eileen & Christine Willie receives his award from 'Scoop' himself
The main awards of the ceremony were the Queen's Park Supporters' Association trophies for their choice of "Away Player Of The Year" and Player Of The Year". The "Away Player" is voted for after each away game by those fans travelling home on the Supporters' bus, whilst the "Player" is voted for at the end of the season by Association members. This year, there was to be no differentiation between the two as Stephen Canning won both; one of only a select band of players to have done so.
In a break with tradition, this year the Club also used the occasion to make its own awards which are usually presented at the AGM instead. This was due to the recipient of their main award, also receiving a week's holiday in Italy, courtesy of Solemar Travel. Neil Collins won the "Young Player" award, whilst Tony Quinn won the "Player" trophy by virtue of the way that he had represented the Club off the field as well as on it.
Neil Collins accepts the "Young Player" trophy from Club President Kenny Harvey whilst Stephen Canning sets a new world record for the shortest ever acceptance speech.
Tony Quinn, the Club's choice for their "Player Of The Year", looks forward to an Italian holiday.