Presentation Night Success

One of the many awards handed out during the evening.

As expected, it turned out to be an evening full of fun and mayhem at the club’s annual Presentation Night. The beer (and soft drinks for the drivers!) flowed freely and so did the laughs as the club celebrated another season of success that saw the main team achieve two promotions in two seasons, the reserve team narrowly miss out on promotion in their first season in the Alliance League and the veterans finish sixth in their first Harrogate & District Veterans 11-a-side campaign.

Opening the evening was Chairman Dan Jones who thanked the sponsors and committee / back room staff for their hard work in maintaining the club throughout the past twelve months. He also welcomed new members to the club and finished with a passionate challenge to the players/officials to not only match this work, but to build upon it next season!

Veterans manager Rich Strike took to the floor to give the room a rundown on what his side had achieved during their first season in the local Vets 11-a-side league, and with the promise to build upon the foundations that had been laid, he announced that Dave Richmond and Dan Brearton had won Top Goal Scorer and Players Player of the Season respectively.

Next up was both Reserve Manager Kris MacDonald and his Assistant John Paul Williams who mentioned about their season and the fact that missing out on promotion, although heart-breaking, would provide the side with great experience to attempt to go one better next season. Winners for the Reserves were Danny Gore (Top Goal Scorer), Dan Flynn (Players Player of the Season) and joint winners of the Managers Player of the Season, Jonny Atkinson and Daley Atkinson.

A crescendo of applause greeted the First Team Manager Dan Marshall, accompanied by Assistant David Campbell and Coach Ben Lawrence as they took their place in the spotlight. Dan mentioned how he had targeted a place in the top three at the beginning of the season and how proud he was of the team that they had managed to achieve it, especially overcoming the adversity of losing players at the beginning of the campaign. Special mention was given to Danny Grannon, Josh Barden, Andy Maxted and Jonty Smith for their contributions. David Campbell and Ben Lawrence also mentioned about the superb work rate that the team had put in over the season and how they hoped to better it next time around as the First Division would be a greater challenge. To finish, Luke Dubery, Jon Richards and the duo of Dan Slater and Conor Buckley all joined the management team to receive their Top Goal Scorer, Managers Player of the Season and Players Player of the Season awards.

Probably the biggest cheer of the night was reserved for a very special individual! Ellis Jones was recognised as being the club’s Number One supporter and was presented with an England kit, that the three lions will be wearing during this year’s World Cup!

Finally, it was First Team Goalkeeper Jonty Smith who wrapped things up by thanking the Managers and their Assistants for all the hard work that they put into making sure that there is a team that represents Kirk Deighton Rangers. A sentiment that was very warmly received around the room.

Congratulations to all the winners on the night and we now look to the future and what the new season brings!

#rangersneverquit

To see a gallery of the evening, please click here.