Earlier today at the Elcot Lane ground that Marlborough Youth Football Club (MYFC) shares with Marlborough Town FC, Club Secretary John Whitehead gave out two awards for ‘Player of the Year’ – one ‘Club vote’ – nominated and voted by the coaches and volunteers in the club, and the other ‘Public vote’ – by everyone else – members, parents, grandparents – anyone who felt that any player was worth their vote.
Winners were Charlotte Prothero in the MYFC U15/16 Rebels (Club vote award) and Stanley Roe in the MYFC U7 Eagle (Public vote award). It was complete surprise to Stanley that he had won and after the presentation he said: “Wow, I felt so proud”. After the award ceremony, Charlotte said “I am really happy to receive this award and would like to thank my coaches for nominating me. I love playing football at Marlborough and I’m looking forward to next season.”
MYFC U7 Eagles – Stanley Roe
Stanley is profoundly deaf and wears bi-lateral cochlear implants. He was implanted at 14 months old and for the first time he was able to hear the world around him. This doesn’t replace normal hearing but gives him access to sound. Unfortunately 2 years later his implants failed due to a faulty batch and he waited to go back in for lengthy surgery to replace them. The surgery was a success and he’s had no problems since, catching up with his speech and language. Stanley is now on par with all his peers at school. This is his first season playing matches at MYFC.
Stanley plays consistently well in all his positions and works hard for the team on a weekly basis. Stanley embodies the team spirit at every game, selfless in his game he always wants the best for those around him and is always the first to help a player up when they are down. He was the first to stick his hand up to go in goal when the team played their trophy final this season showing great character – this ended in a penalty shoot-out which the team won. He has also recently been officially invited to join a regional centre in the FA’s national para pathway programme. Stanley has overcome huge hurdles in the first 7 years of his life and he has never let any of it get him down – his perseverance and positive mentality are great testament to his character.
MYFC U15/U16 Rebels – Charlotte Prothero
Charlotte this season has represented both the girls U16 and U15 teams on a Saturday, she has also been a stalwart of the boys U15 team on a Sunday. She has represented both the girls and boys for a number of years, such is her dedication and passion for the game. She is an excellent player who has also represented Swindon in the past and her fitness levels are outstanding, putting everyone else to shame on the beep test! Probably her greatest attribute is her attitude, she will never complain or question a decision, just gets on and plays the game as it should be played. Even when we are short of a goalie, she will put on the gloves and play her part for the team, despite wanting to be out on the pitch playing as a solid left back or more recently as a pocket dynamo in midfield. Charlotte deserves the Club Player of the Season award, not only for playing for 3 teams but for her commitment to training and her mature attitude, doing the right thing for the team rather than just herself.
MYFC has been running these Club awards for many years now as a way for the whole community to celebrate and share in the Club’s footballing ethos.
MYFC invited nominations from all team managers for players who have excelled in any aspect of the game whether that be fair play, supporting others, resilience, determination or overall commitment and contribution. You can read the nominations for the two winners below.
Marlborough Youth Football Club now has over 500 players (including over 200 girls) playing across more than 30 teams. “All of the players who were nominated deserve great credit and recognition just for being nominated. We are very proud to have all of them representing our Club.”, Club Secretary told Marlborough.news.
Roads chaos again – phantom Thames Water ‘works’ by The College roundabout
