Chippenham Sunday League: REFEREE Bob Pocock and Christian Malford, striker Scott Evans wrote their names into the record books of the Chippenham Sunday League when they picked up awards at the league's annual meeting and presentation night.
Among the other big winners at a packed Gladstone Liberal Club in Chippenham were Westbury Rangers club secretary Vivienne Gardiner and new club Fascia Graphics who were in the money after securing the fair play trophy.
When Melksham-based match official Bob Pocock picked up the award for top level five referee he surpassed the achievement of former Western League referee Colin Ford, who lifted the award from 1976 to 1979.
In those days the award was for top senior referee. Pocock, 54, who started refereeing in 1981 became the first official to take the award for a fourth time, winning in both 1999 and 2000 before taking over as the league's referees' appointments secretary which ruled him out of claiming a hat trick of wins.
When work commitments forced him to relinquish the post, Pocock returned to refereeing and again won the honour in 2003 before claiming his fourth title at the end of last season an achievement that will no doubt take many years to equal.
Pocock is only one of a few referees to have referred all of the three major cup finals and his experience has led him to become one of the most respected match officials on the league's list. Cirencester Town and former Trowbridge Town favourite Alan Bird picked up the top level seven referee's award while Neville Dennett claimed the level 6 trophy.
Christian Malford's Scott Evans walked away with the prestigious Player of the Season award for a second consecutive season to become the first ever player to lift the trophy on more than one occasion.
The prolific 24-year-old goalscorer, who has been playing for the village side since the age of 15, notched 32 goals last season and his consistent outstanding displays were noted by his opponents as he picked up 14 votes from his peers.
Evans was surprised by his award as he was asked to come along to the meeting on the pretence that he was going to present the award to this years winner but as of last season Evans has proved that loyalty to one club does have its rewards.
He could be playing for a club in a higher division but his devotion to the villagers where he is happy to play with his mates is one of the reasons why he is regarded as one of the best strikers in the league.
Vivienne Gardiner, secretary of Premier and Third division sides Westbury Rangers A and B would have collected the Gordon Blatchford award for achievement in football, but with Viv away in sunny Spain, Mark Parker the clubs representative on the night collected for her in her absence.
Mrs Gardiner has been with the club her late husband Neil formed in 1972, she has been the clubs secretary for more than 20 years taking over the roll in 1982 and she has even held the post as the league's registration secretary.
Over the seasons Rangers have picked up various awards including three sportsmanship of the season trophies but Rangers biggest achievement to date at the end of last term when the A team finished as runners up in the Premier division.
Fascia Graphics enjoyed their first season in the league, although they didn't set the fourth division alight with their football skills they were the big winners when the fair play awards were presented by retiring league sponsor Andy Russell, managing director of Vanitec Computers.
As overall winners Fascia Graphics picked up a cheque for £225 with the other divisional winners collecting £100 a piece, The George Lacock (One), Holt FC (Two), Corsham Park Rangers (Three), Calne Town (Sunday) were the other recipients, the later were also rewarded for their sportsmanship by the Wilts FA at their recent AGM when club secretary Richard Chaffey received £150 on behalf of the club.
Mr Russell preceded the presentation of the fair play awards when he got the night underway by presenting the leagues divisional winners and runners up with their trophies and mementos along with cheques totaling £775.
Sherston Town, and Westbury Rangers A finished first and second in the top flight. Biddestone Social and Maud Heath Sports will be joining them as winners and runners up from division one. The all-conquering Corsham Centre headed division three with Holt FC taking second spot.
Pole position in the third division went to Parsons Nose who just beat Four Seasons to the championship by 2 points. Both FC Bradford and King Arms (Trowbridge) capped a great first season in the league by taking the honours in division four.
League secretary Terry Fallows was up next to present the top club assistant referee's with their awards and a cheque for £25 each. Mark Robinson, of the Dog & Fox Ashley, claimed the premier division, honour, with Robert Bray, Semington Rovers (One), Julian Carosi, Corsham Centre (Two), Martin Bance, North Star B (Four) and Jon Bird from third division Corsham Park Rangers picked up a total of £50 for being the overall winner.
Holt FC's prolific Tom Pang won the top marksman award for a consecutive season with his 50 goals for the second division club. Steve Roddy, Dog & Fox Ashley picked up the award from the Premier Division with Maud Heath Sports' Dean Slade heading the Division One list.
Wayne Bailey from Parsons Nose finished seven goals clear of his nearest rival in division three while Scott Askew picked up the honour in division four thanks to his 45 goals for Kings Arms (Trowbridge). Fixture Secretary, Andy Hillier, presented these awards.
For the first time since the 1984/85 season the secretary of the year award was jointly presented to Michelle Rose, Dog & Fox Ashley and Neil Taylor of Steeple Ashton (Sunday).
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