On a beautifully warm, sunny afternoon at the Marlborough Town Football Club’s Elcot Lane ground Marlborough Youth Football Club (MYFC) presented their annual ‘Player of the Year’ awards.
This year’s award(s) were just a bit different. In the two categories (Public and Parents Vote, and Club Vote) it was one player who took both awards – Luke Taylor, who plays as a member of the U10 Falcons.
Chair Stuart Slater noted: “Most unusually, it is the same winner for both categories this year; so, a huge well done to Luke”. Luke’s nomination is below:
“Luke is one of our longest running members of the U10s, having joined us back at the U5 stage. In 2020 he was diagnosed with verbal dyspraxia, a condition you may have heard former Swindon Town star Chris Kamara was recently diagnosed with. This has brought many challenges for Luke and his family, including this season when he started at a new school in Salisbury. Despite this, Luke remains a stalwart in our squad, travelling back from school on a Thursday to make it to training on time, and has picked up Player of the Match when he plays for the Falcons. Football is a really important part of his life and the support he receives from his teammates is excellent, showing how at MYFC football really is for everyone. And recently he got to meet up with Chris who was really excited to hear about his love of football”.
The nomination speaks for itself, and a club new record of 600 total cast votes is testament to a similarly shared strength of feeling. On receipt, Luke explained:
“When I was told I had been nominated for club player of the year I didn’t think anyone would vote for me and had been feeling very worried. I am very happy and proud that I won both awards. I really love playing with my friends at Marlborough and want to thank the coaches, and my teammates for all the support they give me. Thank you for all the votes. It’s amazing”.
MYFC also wanted to give a special commendation this year, to U12 Falcons player Alfie Martin, owing to the substantial number of votes in both the Club vote and the Public vote. Alfie’s nomination is below:
“Alfie has been with us for the past 2 seasons now and we can’t recall him missing a training session or not being available for a match since he started with us. His jovial personality and good humour can turn even the most comprehensive of defeats very quickly into a dim and distant memory. It would be fair to say that this season has been a challenge for the Falcons squad, but Alfie has been an ever present and remains as keen and as dedicated to the cause as ever! Further, on several occasions where the fixture schedule has allowed, Alfie has been on the touchline lending his support to the Eagles squad including most recently attending away fixtures at Calne and Croft and enthusiastically supporting the boys from the side-lines! He is a very popular member of the squad and the embodiment of our Club’s ‘Football for All’ ethos and culture”.
Overall, MYFC Chair Stuart Slater told Marlborough News: “We are just thrilled for Luke, a worthy winner of both prizes, a wonderful asset to our club and we are both proud of him and wish him well as he develops through the age groups. We are also delighted for Alfie, creating this special commendation category especially for him, more accurately for his clear embodiment of our club ethos. Finally, a big well done to all players who were nominated, in itself a worthy achievement from over 500 players here at MYFC. For us, these are important nominations and awards, showcasing the correct spirit of playing football as we define it, not simply focusing on footballing ‘ability’ or ‘winning at all costs. Congratulations indeed…”.
The awards were presented on Saturday 27 May at the home of Marlborough Town FC (Elcot Lane). The club also wish to thank all in the community who took part in the vote.
‘A Bunch of Amateurs’ at the Town Hall – actually it’s a Marlborough Players production…..
