Drury dodges dreaded award's curse

Stamford manager Graham Drury picked up August’s Manager of the Month award on Saturday as his Evo-Stik NPL First Division South side continued avoiding the dreaded ‘Manager of the Month’ curse.

The Daniels beat Evesham United 1-0 in the FA Trophy’s Preliminary Round after Drury was honoured, pictured, before kick off by Evo-Stik NPL representatives Mark Ogley and his father Alan Ogley, the former Manchester City keeper.

Drury’s side are still flying high in second spot in Evo-Stik NPL First Division South after their 100 percent record in August helped earn the manager his accolade which he dedicated to his players, backroom staff and supportive Daniels fans.

Apart from one blip since the awards were announced, a 2-0 home league defeat to Romulus, Stamford have carried on their winning ways by beating Loughborough 2-0 away in the league, recording a 2-1 away victory at Holbeach United in the FA Cup’s First Qualifying Round and on Saturday progressing in the FA Trophy’s Preliminary Round.

Drury was the last of last month’s winning managers to receive his award. Skelmersdale United's Tommy Lawson won the Evo-Stik NPL First Division North honour while Ashton United's Danny Johnson was voted the Premier Division’s top manager by judges from sponsors Evo-Stik.

Like Drury, both Lawson and Johnson guided their sides to 100 per cent records in the opening month of the campaign. Each received a certificate recording their achievement from sponsors Evo-Stik and a personalised polo shirt and bench top from the league’s official kit supplier Errea.