First Division South Young Player of the Year

Jack Sherratt had plenty to celebrate at the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's 2013 Players of the Year Awards.

Named in the morning in the Sunday papers as the winner of Samsung's 'Win a Pro Contract' competition and looking forward to playing under Russell Slade at Leyton Orient, by the evening the Kidsgrove midfielder was waving farewell to the Evo-Stik NPL as the First Division South Young Player of the Year with his proud mum and dad and members of the club looking on.

The 19-year-old, pictured collected his trophy from Doncaster Rovers manager Brian Flynn in Barnsley last Sunday night, beat more than 5000 hopefuls to win a one year contract with the League One outfit and says his time at the Seddon Stadium ensured he was up to it and ready to take his chance.

Sherratt, who was released by Port Vale at 16, said: "This league is a tough league and it is the first time I've played in it. It's been hard but I've loved it and its given me another chance. I think that is one of the great things about the NPL. It gives you another chance to live the dream really and play professionally.

"Winning the contract and now have been two of the best things in my life so I'd like to thank everybody at Kidsgrove Athletic for helping me. Now, I'm just going to try my hardest and keep plugging away. I've met Russell Slade before and he seemed a great coach. All the lads down there were great as well and really welcomed you so I can't wait to get started."

Kidsgrove Athletic say they'll be proudly watching the teenager's career develop and keeping in touch. Spokeswoman Pauline Matthews added: "We have watched Jack develop and get better with each game. We went to watch him play for England School boys against the Irish team so we have always been proud of him. He is a great player and such a likable young man you can't help but want the best for him."

Sherratt was one of 39 players who collected their trophies from Doncaster's title-chasing manager, 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.

Skelmersdale United's Gary Burnett won the First Division North Young Player of the Year Award while AFC Fylde's Sean Cooke was named Premier Division Young Player of the Year. 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 was named First Division South 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 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 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