Leafield Athletic awards 2023

13/5/23 – Dickens Heath

The End of an ERa

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So the season had ended it was time to celebrate what had been a fantastic and record breaking season that also would see the end of an era at Leafield looking towards a new and exciting future as the team continues to grow and flourish. The first thing to say was it was great to see that pretty much everyone attended and it wasn’t like last years where all age groups were together but it was just the first team being celebrated this night. On arrival there was a comedian (well…) and singer on (well…) to be honest good light hearted entertainment to kick the night off with before the time for the awards and some emotional words.

(Thanks to Tim McMahon for the photos on the night)

So after everyone had some food and some alcohol it was great to catch up with a few people including Richard Steadman, Piers Webster and Joseph McGrath and Linda before it was time go into the tent for what was the final curtain. Aid Clements kicked it off with summarising the season and talking about how good the season had been, how it could of been better. Before Sam Baker and Laura Broadbent took to the stage to talk about Aid, his impact on everyone which is on and off the field. It all got a bit emotional as they talked about the impact he had on them personally, something i’ve been told by them before but nice to hear them have the moment to say it on a special night. Sam and Laura gave out some presents to the staff, Darren, Tracie, Sarah and Aid and also which very much was apricated a gift and thank you to myself, which also was said by Aid a fair few times on stage. And a bit from myself is that it been a true pleasure to be involved with everyone and the team throughout the season. 

Aid came back on the stage to announce the plans going forward, asked players to stay as such a great group which is something truly second on all accounts. Announced our new partnership with Highgate United FC where we have played a few times. A nice ground with some great people even if on my last visit to their I nearly died twice (all my own fault, wasn’t the new Valentino Rossi). Dickens Heath has been such a great venue to host the games but with the growth of the game instead of playing in a field we will be moving to a proper ground with the facilities needed to grow the team.

Next up was the awards, In advance I had asked who had won to create the graphics for it but with hearing and seeing the results was still truly happy and all awards even though you could say many deserved it, the winners actually deserved it also.

Progession Player Of The Season – Chloe Shirley

Well Chloe, it’s no surprise to see her pick up an award for me and i’m sure others will agree she would of been in the running for all the awards. But last season a huge reason I became a Leafield fan, this season she has done nothing but smash it, goals, assists, roars, smiles, being loud, tackles and overall being such an amazing and awesome person off the pitch too. Truly a player and person I could never ever get bored about talking about and seeing play.

players Player OF The Season – Colette Bell

Now when I was told the results the first thing on my mind was that Colette had to win one of the awards. In reality if was a newcomer, a breakthrough, player, players player, the poshest on team. So many things that Colette could of walked away with and that before mentioning save of the season, most mentioned by managers, players and fans. Colette truly isn’t just one hell of a goalkeeper but one of nicest people you’ll ever meet. It’s honestly been pleasure to get to know her this season even going to see her play for Kingfisher when she came back from South Africa.

Player Of The Season – Sam Baker

Sam defines EVERYTHING that is amazing about Leafield. I’ll never forget when I went to my first ever Leafield game the first person to speak to me was Sam Baker (at this point I never connected she was Sam Berry from TNS) but made me feel welcome and many times carrys the team and the club on her back. This season truly got to know Sam and find out how far she travels, how much she means to every single one of the team, that’s on and off the pitch. I still think the closest thing we got to Jedward at Leafield is Sam and Laura Broadbent, always causing trouble at the back for opposition teams. 

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The awards as I mentioned could of gone to many people as well, this truly has been such a fantastic team effort this season. Even those that haven’t played as many minutes as others have contributed to everything this season that has made it such a special season. I did an award last season that gave to Chloe Shirley and as it is probably no secret, that she is still my GOAT, I had to present her with her own face on some shinpads right? I mean to be honest they have followed me up and down the country while waited to give them to her and bailed or failed. I will be writing something up later on about each member of the team/staff/some of favourite memories and so on, It will drop once the Kidderminster Harriers season finishes.

After the awards were done, It’s fair to say I took a walk to the dugout and had a sit down and a drink while some questionable singing was going on in the tent. But there a beauty in the silence while you sit and think about everything. The hub of the day is the warm ups, the game and everything that come with it. It was great to catch up with Joseph McGrath and Linda once again, got so much time for both of them such lovely people who truly want to again lift people around them, which fits the Leafield way. After a good chat on the balcony with more and more people coming and taxi drivers getting irate. I was about to leave around about 9.30pm-ish but Neive Fallon, Chloe Shirley and few others were to make sure I stayed (they mentioned a dance, but trust me I only dance when I’m about to deadlift haha).

I am very glad for them making sure I didn’t go home and making me come in as again I would of missed out on a great after party as it were and finding out that Yazoo is actually a drink called Tequila Rose thanks to Neive again.  I won’t mention some of the questionable music choices but the girl’s seemed to enjoy them I managed to get one Bowie song in. But once again it was nice to be involved in things and as always throughout season sometimes when I never wana be in the way the fantastic people involved with Leafield make sure to keep me involved and smiling. Always a few things you never wana mention but couldn’t be happier by the end of the night. Even with so much unknown going into the new season and such it was time to enjoy the moment and everything that happened this season. 

#WeAreLeafield and Leafield is one special place filled with special people that make it more than just going to the football to cheer on some big names without passion but a place that you live, love and breathe the matches and everything involved with it. The good, the bad and Aid. This wasn’t only a night that celebrated a fantastic season, but everything that Aid and Tracie have put their stamp on along with Darren, Sarah, Nick and so many others. It’s a messed up family but I tell you something you can’t choose your blood but god you can choose the people you stand next too.