WAYNE Thorne cemented his status as the Chippenham Town fans' terrace hero as he scooped two of the club's four player of the year awards on Friday night.

The tough-tackling left back endeared himself to Bluebirds fans with a string of committed displays in his first season at Hardenhuish Park and claimed both the supporters' and the supporters' club prizes.

Centre backs Tom Gould and Colin Towler claimed the players' player and manager's player of the year prizes respectively.

Thorne, raised in Wootton Bassett, felt honoured to receive the two awards voted for by the club's fans.

He said: "I was really, really proud of myself.

"The awards could have gone to anybody after the season we had, so I'm really chuffed to win two of the four.

"Tommy (Saunders) has left me out on a couple of occasions, but I've always tried to do my best. Sometimes I do go over the top, but I'm never going to change because of my passion for the game.

"The supporters pay my wages, so I want to show them how much I appreciate it when I go onto the pitch."

The former Clevedon man has signed a new contract for next season and is already looking forward to 2003/04.

He said: "I like to have a rest, but I must admit I was bored on Saturday. I was ringing Charlie Griffin all the time telling him how bored I was, but there are only six weeks to go until pre-season training starts.

"We are all like one big family at Chippenham and we know when to work hard and when to have a joke. Even the older players like Martin Paul, Adie Mings and Colin Towler say they've never known a team spirit like it."

Gould, who signed from Team Bath last summer, impressed his peers with his consistent form alongside Towler at the heart of the defence.

He missed the final five games of the season with a back injury, but was pleased with his first season at Dr Martens Premier Division level.

Said Gould: "It was a bit of a shock to win the award. I don't think you could pick one player out of the whole squad. We were all as good as each other.

"But I'm pleased to win the award, especially as it was my first year. It is great to get an award from the other lads. It shows I've got the respect of the other players, which is something you need."

Manager Tommy Saunders admitted his side's top five finish had made choosing his player of the year a difficult exercise. In the end he plumped for captain Towler, the man discarded by Bath boss Alan Pridham this time last year.

Said Saunders: "There were a few candidates for the award, but he was the outstanding choice."

Chippenham's off-the-field stalwarts also received recognition on Friday night at the Neeld Hall, with Phil and Ali Anteney jointly collecting the endeavour award and Vic Swanborough winning clubman of the year.

The annual presentation evening was organised by the supporters' club and also featured an auction of football memorabilia and a free raffle.