Coventry City Ladies ended a successful season with their annual awards night on Friday. Central midfielder Leanne McKenna scooped the coveted Player of the Year Award in her first season since rejoining the club from rivals Copsewood. "Leanne's a true leader on the pitch in everything she does" stated Manager Paul Cudby "she's massively popular within the squad, her importance to the team can not be overstated. She does the simple things very well and always makes those around her play better, she's an absolute pleasure to have in the team and squad".
McKenna was joined by another new face on the honour role as Gemma Clarke, who signed from Solihull last summer, picked up the Player's Player Award. "Gemma's been an unbelievably consistent performer at the heart of our defence with our captain Natasha Lynch and a big reason why we've achieved 11 clean sheets in the league this year" commented Cudby.
Fullback Natalie Wilcox picked up the Most Improved Player of the Year award as she bounced back from the broken leg that she sustained late last season. "Having come back from injury part way through pre-season, Nat established herself as our number one full back at the club through her application and wonderful attitude. Having played a large amount of the time at left back, rather than her preferred right back, Natalie has been a vital to our success".
Director of Football Tom Stack was honoured with an Outstanding Contribution Award for his many years of service to the club "Tom has been an inspiration to us both on and off the pitch for a number of years as a mentor to the coaching staff and senior players" said Club Chairman David Singleton "I'm grateful to him for his footballing insight and his off the field work which has played a huge part in our promotion to the FA Premiership". Cudby was also quick to lavish praise upon Stack "the time he's spent on the phone with me on a daily basis has helped me personally no end".
Coventry's burgeoning Centre of Excellence were also on hand to honour their players. Player of the Year Awards went to Tiarna Gilkes (U10's), Mollie Rouse (U12's), Sophie Bourton (U14's) and Georgia Jones, who also collected Supporter's and Player's Player of the Year Awards (U16's). Lucy Stead collected the Supporter's and Player's Awards for the Under 10's whilst Courtney Whittle picked up the Most Improved Award.
In the Under 12's Jessica Gates was voted Supporter's Player of the Year with Lucy McGuinness scooping Player's Player. Demi Whetton was named Most Improved with Jessica Lundie collecting the Chantelle Lynch Award. Summer Johnson won Supporter's and Player's Player in the Under 14's with Nicola Bywater named Most Improved. Beth Altwasser picked up the final award of the evening as the Most Improved Player in the Under 16's.
Picture copyright of Covsupport News Service. Credit CNS/KM