City’s Season Draws to a Close
Guildford City’s season came to an end last weekend with a successful end of season presentation event at the iconic City Club in Joseph’s Road. A good turnout of supporters and players heard vice-chairman Kevin Parker give a review of the season during which he thanked the many volunteers who had assisted the club in a variety of ways in order to keep the club on an even keel. Parker said that a seventh place finish was highly commendable given the disruption caused by the inability to play at our home ground throughout the whole of the season. Home matches were in fact played at a total of four different grounds meaning the clubs belongings had to be moved from venue to venue on a regular basis. Chairman Mark Redhead also spoke to reinforce these comments and to thank manager Chris Balchin and his management team, and the playing squad for their efforts over the season.
Voting for the Supporters’ Player of the Season award had taken place over the weekend of the penultimate home match. 72 individuals cast votes. When the votes were counted it was Luke Beale who proved to be the popular winner of the Supporters’ award and his trophy was presented by social media man Jack Underwood. The Manager’s Player of the Year award was presented by Chris Balchin and was won by the captain Nemo Adams. Adam’s became the presenter for the next award which was for the Players’ Player. One of the loudest cheers of the evening acclaimed Sean Mason when he was announced as the winner. Chris Balchin presented the Young Player of the Year award to Billy Irving who has had an outstanding first season at the club. The top goal scorers prize went to Kyen Nicholas who notched 17 goals in just 25 appearances. The Goal of the Season award always generates much discussion. There were several worthy contenders but the award went to flying winger Eli Ogunseye for his headed goal in a 2-2 draw at Chertsey Town. The match report at the time described the goal thus “City still pressed forward and after 76 minutes they scored what thus far must be their goal of the season. Benga Ogunseye held the ball up well before passing wide to Nathaniel Williams whose superb cross to the near post was headed home by Eli Ogunseye.” The final award of the evening was the Club Person of the Year. This year Ros Russell was the winner for her sterling efforts as catering manager; a task that had been made more difficult this year having to transfer food and supplies from home ground to home ground.
The evening ended in dramatic fashion with the fans and the players serenading each other. The Sweeney were in good voice with several choruses of the club anthem “Oh When the Beans”, whilst the players responded with their victory song “Sweet Caroline” which concluded memorably with everybody in the room joining in.
