Fylde RFC stage end-of-season awards ceremony like no other in club's history

The Fylde squad 'get together' for their virtual awards ceremony

Team bonding at Fylde Under-13s with delightful rugby video

This year’s ‘get-together’ for the annual prizegiving took the form of a ‘Virtual Awards Evening’ online.

Even so, the players entered into the spirit of the occasion as head coach Warren Spragg explained: “There was a strong attendance and adherence to current social-distancing policy ... and a formal dress code!

“Players enjoyed a VIP drinks reception before the awards ceremony started with an emotional speech from first XV captain Adam Lewis.

“Adam spoke with passion about his experience as captain. He will be missed in his retirement but we wish him well.”

The players and staff had plenty to celebrate after a successful season on the field saw the senior side confirmed as runners-up in National Two North, though their promotion ambitions must be put on hold for a further 12 months.

As for the awards themselves, David Fairbrother was named Players’ Player of the Year.

The barnstorming back-rower was a consistent star performer, scoring eight tries over the course of the campaign.

Young Player of the Year was hooker Ben Gregory, who was the season’s top tryscorer among the forwards with 13 and was one of seven Fylde players to start all 25 league games.

Tom Carleton was the team’s top try-scorer with 23 and scored four of them in the 50-10 win over Tynedale at the Woodlands in January, a display which earned the full-back or winger the Individual Performance of the Season accolade.

The Team Performance of the Season came just a week later: the 64-12 victory at Stourbridge, where Alex Loney took charge of the side in Spragg’s absence.

A close second was the 17-10 home win over Sedgley Park in December, when a heroic defensive effort was needed to secure the four points.

And finally, the award for Best Team-mate of the Year went to packman Matthew Garrod.

It was left to Spragg to wrap up the event and he said: “After the awards, we had a few socially-isolated beers to celebrate.

“It was the strangest awards dinner I’ve ever been a part of but we didn’t want these lads to feel their efforts had been unrecognised this season.

“Well done, lads. It’s been a great year.”