First Division North Player of the Year

Curzon Ashton's Kristian Dennis believes his First Division North Player of the Year Award will strengthen his determination to play at the highest level possible.

As hot favouite for the season's Golden Boot, Dennis hardly needed a confidence boost at the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's 2013 Players of the Year Awards in Barnsley but was delighted to be acknowledged by the division's managers. Released by Macclesfield Town three years ago aged 20, the striker collected his accolade from Doncaster Rovers manager Brian Flynn, pictured, at last Sunday night's event.

Dennis, the top scorer across the NPL's three divisions with 40 goals so far this season to his name, insisted his teammates should take the credit for his success and played down a strike rate that saw him recognised as one of the league's hottest property.

He said: "I hope I can keep it up. This award will definitely be another thing to spur me on to play as high as I can. You never know what might come around. We're going well and this is down to my teammates. I think I'm often just in the right place at the right time to take advantage so this is about the success of the whole club."

Dennis was one of 39 players who collected their trophies from Flynn, the other winners coming from divisional teams of the year, players of the year and young players of the year. In the only non-players award of the night, Matlock Town Chief Executive Keith Brown was presented with a Merit Award for his services to the Evo-Stik NPL and the Football Association.

Hednesford's Elliott Durrell and Halesowen's Ben Haseley were named as the Premier Division and First Division South Players of the Year. Kidsgrove Athletic's Jack Sherratt, fresh from also winning Samsung's 'Win a Pro Contract' competition last weekend, was named as the First Division South Young Player of the Year while the First Division North accolade went to Skelmersdale United's Gary Burnett. AFC Fylde's Sean Cooke was named Premier Division Young Player of the Year.

Hosted by John Jones and Evo-Stik NPL Chairman Mark Harris, the awards are now in their second year after last season's inaugural event also took place at the four star Brooklands Holiday Inn Barnsley. The brainchild of former Manchester City keeper and NPL stalwart Alan Ogley, the awards are unique in the top levels of Non-Football with the focus on recognising the league's star players and the winners chosen by managers and coaches. Guests enjoyed a three course dinner and entertainment from one of the North's top comedians, Lea Roberts, the former Rugby League professional.

Media students from Barnsley College played a key role planning and running the event for the second year running, organising everything from the sound and lighting to filming the awards for internet highlights which will available to view from Monday on the homepage.

Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division Team of the Year
GK Ben Hinchliffe (AFC Fylde)
RB Kyle Jacobs (FCUM)
LB Mathew Wood (Witton Albion)
CH Adam Jones (FCUM)
CH Marc Roberts (Buxton)
M Elliott Durrell (Hednesford)
M Sean Cooke (Fylde)
M Michael Barnes (Fylde)
F Ryan Kendall (NFU)
F Anthony Wilson (NFU)
F Gavin Allott (Frickley Athletic)

Evo-Stik NPL First Division North Team of the Year
GK Samuel Ashton (Skelmersdale Utd)
RB Lewis Field (Skelmersdale Utd)
LB Louis Corrigan (Skelmersdale Utd)
CH Tom Hardwick (Skelmersdale Utd)
CH Nia Bayunu (Trafford)
M Carlos Meakin (New Mills)
M Samuel Walker (Curzon Ashton)
M Gary Stopforth (Ramsbottom United)
F Kristian Dennis (Curzon Ashton)
F Michael Oates (Trafford)
F Lee Gaskell (Ramsbottom United)

Evo-Stik NPL First Division South South Team of the Year
GK Sean Bowles (Coalville Town)
RB Daniel Smith (Leek Town)
LB Cameron Stuart (Coalville Town)
CH Philip Gulliver (King’s Lynn Town)
CH Michael Nottingham (Gresley)
M Stephen Spriggs (King’s Lynn Town)
M Andrew Hall (Stamford)
M Daniel Shelley (Leek Town)
F Ben Haseley (Halesowen)
F Ricky Miller (Stamford)
F Ryan Robbins (Coalville Town)

Image courtesy of Graham Lindley