PERCY PARK PLAYERS DINNER 2019
This year’s Annual Players Dinner took place at the club house on Friday 3rdMay with over 80 players and supporters present to see the awards for players of the season, most improved player of the season, coaches player of the season and various other novelty awards.
Proceedings kicked off at 5.30pm with a Happy Hour in Bar 1872, and by 7pm everyone adjourned to the main lounge for speeches and food. Hog Roast always goes down well and Phil Martin “the crazy carver” was on duty to dish up the food and ensure no one received more than their fair share of crackling.
With everyone fed and well watered, the speeches began with Chairman of Rugby Thomas Turnbull opening with a summary of the season 2018/19 and then Bill Dryden presented various awards to the Percy Park Women’s team who attended the event for the first time. Tim Walker the Lions manager was in Cancun but had left a video message with the Player of the Year and Coaches Player of the Year announcements. Mark Whinfield deputised for Pumas Captain Matthew Dale, and Mark Sanderson also said a few brief words on behalf of the Lions.
Club Captain Jonny Dubois dished out various fines for misdemeanours during the evening cleverly avoiding punishment himself by remaining tea-total for the evening due to County duties the following day.
1stXV ties were presented to Charlie Greswold and Mark Barry, and President Chris Elliot gave the President’s Award to Michael Langlands for his services to the 1stXV for over 13 consecutive seasons. It was also fitting that Michael had also been announced as captain of the Northumberland County for their 1st game against Yorkshire.
Coaches Ash Smith and Lawrence Patton rounded off the night looking forward to the new season ahead announcing Seb Reece as Club Captain and thanking out-going captain Jonny Dubois after his 2 year stint.
1stXV Player’s Player Award - Seb Reece
1stXV Coaches Player Award - Marc Cook
Lions Player of the Year - Ollie Gilmore
Lions Coaches Player Award - Mark Sanderson
Pumas Player of the Year - Chris Hawkins
Pumas Most Improved Player - Richard Power
Ladies Player of the Year - Anna Golightly