First Division North Young Player of the Year

Champions-elect Skelmersdale United had more than most to celebrate at the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's 2013 Players of the Year Awards with young striker Gary Burnett leading the way.

Proud manager Tommy Lawson saw four of his players named in the Evo-Stik First Division North Team of the Year before the teenage hot-shot collected his First Division North Young Player of the Year Award from Doncaster Rovers manager Brian Flynn in Barnsley last Sunday night.

Burnett, pictured alongside Evo-Stik NPL Chairman Mark Harris, arrived at the West Lancashire College Stadium last August from Atherton Collieries and is fulfilling the promise that saw renowned talent spotter Lawson sign him.

He said: "It's been a great night for everybody at the club with four players in the team of the year. It means a lot to us all knowing all the managers voted. We're having a great season and I'm delighted."

Burnett 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 Curzon Ashton's Kristian Dennis were named as the Premier Division and First Division North Players of the Year. Halesowen's Ben Haseley collected the First Division South accolade. 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 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 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