Skipper is double Player of the Year

‘Loons’ captain Stuart Morrison who missed the final three games of the season due to a hamstring injury was the recipient of both the Supporters and Player’s Player of the Year Awards at a well attended ceremony in the aftermath of Saturday’s final home game of the season.

Stuart whose presence and calm authority was undoubtedly missed in those closing fixtures picked up the supporters award with ever present custodian Marc McCallum the runner up, Cameron Logan in third position.

The skipper was also the choice of his fellow players, Matty Allan and Craig Slater joint runners up on this occasion, Marc in third spot.

The away supporters choice as Player of the Year was won jointly by Reuben McAllister and Brad Rodden, Matty Allan in second spot again with three players Cameron Logan, Josh Skelly and the captain again in joint third position.

The leading goal scorer was Russell McLean.

The above awards were presented by Supporters Club Secretary Karen Kelly.

Reuben McAllister was the winner of the goal of the season competition, the presentation made by Joshua Grimes who does such a great job on behalf of the club in charge of the FAFC TV operation.

It was no surprise that Reuben’s wonder strike at Bonnyrigg in February pipped Russell McLean’s goal against the same opponents in December for the top prize, Alex Ferguson’s strike at Stranraer in third position.

It has not been an easy season for all concerned with the club as has been well documented and the playing squad are no exception. A staggering thirty-one players have been utilised in competitive fixtures, ten of these on loan, five in the first half of the campaign, a similar number in the current calendar year.

One thing though has stood out throughout the season, even in our most troubled times and highlighted perhaps on Saturday past in particular. Not one of those players from the first competitive fixture against Livingston in the Betfred Cup back in July has ever given less than one hundred per cent to the cause and for that alone a huge thank you to all.

To the players who have been with us since that balmy sunny afternoon when the Almondvale outfit triumphed 2-0, it has been an especially difficult season with the change of management team in November and the transition and uncertainty that can bring allied to an influx of welcome new ‘blood’ in January and February always a challenge. However to all the contracted players who have ‘survived’ till the end of the campaign our heartfelt thanks for your efforts in getting the club past the ‘finishing post’ at the weekend and allowing all ‘Loons’ supporters to enjoy a wee break with SPFL participation guaranteed for next season.

A number of those players will be with us next season, others as is always inevitable at this time of year will move on. To those that do thanks for your contribution over your time spent at Station Park and all the best for the future both on and off the park.

Finally we had five players on temporary transfer in the second part of the season, all of whom played a vital part at one time or another in a sky blue shirt. Youngsters Alex Ferguson and Reuben McAllister established themselves as regulars in the side, Marley Sweenie-Rowe and Sam Young’s spells hit somewhat by injury problems, while ‘veteran’ Danny Denholm return was welcomed with enthusiasm form the terracing without doubt. Danny’s contribution over the final couple of months of the campaign epitomised with his Man of the Match Award against the ‘Binos.’

You never know, some of the quintet may return at some time to the club as is often the case either on loan again or on a permanent basis and they will be welcomed with open arms. If not we hope that you have enjoyed your spell with us and benefited from it and we will follow your career paths with interest.

As mentioned in a previous article over the weekend the summer break at our level is a short one these days. A return to training is earmarked for around the second week in June, with pre-season fixtures due to commence a couple of weeks later.

Betfred Cup ties are scheduled to commence on July 12th, the William Hill League campaign on August 2nd with also hopefully a more supporter friendly new format for the SPFL Trust Trophy on the horizon.