New names enter fair play race

Named on Wednesday as the most disciplined among the EVO-STIK NPL’s 68 member clubs after topping the fair play tables in their respective divisions over the last four weeks, the trio are now in the running for a share of the £5,000 in prize money that is up for grabs at the end of the season as part of the league’s on-going efforts to promote sportsmanship and fair play.

As in previous seasons, the best behaved sides in each division collect £1000 with the runners-up banking £500 and the third placed clubs £250. Like last season’s overall fair play champions Bamber Bridge, the best behaved club across the EVO-STIK NPL’s three divisions will also be presented with the President's Cup at next June’s annual awards night at Blackpool’s Hilton Hotel.

The tables are generated after a totting up of red and yellow cards divided by the number of fixtures clubs have played each month. Crucially, clubs must play at least four league games to be eligible for the monthly honours. Where clubs are tied on points, marks awarded by referees for behaviour in the technical area by the EVO-STIK NPL's managers and coaches are taken into account.

After Workington, Lancaster City and Witton Albion collected the EVO-STIK NPL's inaugural fair play laurels, Gresley and Stourbridge now top their respective tables after winning the second monthly accolades of the season. Taddy are up to third after edging out second placed Glossop North End on the technical area marks awarded to their management teams with Lancaster still leading the way.

The Glassboys under manager Gary Hackett took the top flight's award for posting a disciplinary average of 0.67 for their four yellow cards in six outings.

Gresley were worthy winners of the EVO-STIK NPL First Division North honour, the Moatmen under manager Damion Beckford-Quailey posting the lowest average in the entire league of 0.25 for the single yellow they collected in four outings.

In EVO-STIK NPL First Division North, Billy Miller's Brewers collected five yellows in five outings in October to post a disciplinary score of 1.00 and win the their first award at the i2i Stadium since their promotion as Northern Counties East League's Premier Division champions in May.

To view the latest fair play tables click on the 'League Info' button on the home page and then 'Press Releases' under the downloads tab.

Image courtesy of Rob Lock

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