Player of the Month
The Principality Building Society Welsh Premier League rewards the best Player for every given month with an award to mark their outstanding recent performances in the Principality Welsh Premier League and the Loosemores League Cup.
All Managers have to nominate a player from the opposition team as the Man of the Match which helps the League make its decision.
Caernarfon Town's striker Paul Addo is the final winner of the Principality Building Society Welsh Premier League Player of the Month for 2006/07 Season. The red hot striker has been in scintillating form throughout the month and his goals have ensured that the Canaries will be playing top flight football again next season. The 22 year-old Liverpudlian only signed on the 2nd February this year, but his signing has proved to be the difference for Steve O'Shaughnessy's men in their battle against the drop.
The former Vauxhall Motors marksman struck six goals in just five games and thoroughly deserves the award in the month that the Cofis gained seven points. He started off in April by scoring in the excellent 2-0 home win over Welshpool Town and then turned brilliantly to score the equaliser in the 1-1 draw against NEWI Cefn Druids. Next up was the match against TNS at Treflan and Addo scored two excellently taken goals in their tremendous 3-1 win over the Champions. Caernarfon were then beaten 2-0 by Airbus, but Addo did go closest in that game when his 25-yard effort narrowly went wide. He then rediscovered his scoring touch in the final game of the season, by netting a brace in their 5-3 defeat to Carmarthen, but gained the Man of the Match Award from Old Gold boss Mark Jones, who described the striker as "Red Hot and one of the best players we've faced all Season."
Thelma Mills, manager of Principality Building Society in Bangor said, "Our warmest congratulations go to Paul Addo on winning April's Principality Building Society Player of the Month award. His goals have undoubtedly played a significant part in keeping Caernarfon in the League, which makes him a very worthy winner of this award.
"We look forward to seeing Caernarfon and all the other teams back in action in August when the Principality Building Society Welsh Premier Football League returns after a well-earned break. Let's hope it's another cracking season."
Haverfordwest County captain and goalkeeper Lee Kendall becomes the first 'keeper to win the Principality Building Society Welsh Premier League Player of the Month Award. The highly rated stopper has been in tremendous form consistently throughout the year and receives Man of the Match votes from opposition Managers on a frequent basis. Although County struggled during the month, his record in March was outstanding, conceding just four goals in as many games, but two of which were penalties. He also picked up two Man of the Match Awards and without his excellent shot stopping ability, Haverfordwest would certainly be further down the League table
Son of former Spurs keeper Mark, Lee signed from Shrewsbury Town in 2003 and his former clubs include Crystal Palace, Cardiff City and Barry Town. Lee won caps for the Wales semi-pro team in 2004 and 2006, and was nominated in the Welsh Premier League Managers Team of the Season in 2005/06.
It is fitting that the 26 year old has won the award this month as he has recently been voted the Supporters Player of the Year at the Bridge Meadow Stadium and has also signed a contract extension that keeps him at the club until 2010. Liz Rogers, Manager of Principality Building Society in Haverfordwest said, "Heartfelt congratulations to Lee Kendall on winning the Principality player of the month award. Lee's a central figure in the Haverfordwest team and we wish him well as we enter the last few weeks of the season.
"As the inaugural Principality Building Society Welsh Premier Football League draws to a close, it's an opportunity to reflect on a great season of football. I look forward to August and the kick off to a brand new season and wish Haverfordwest every success."
The Principality Building Society Welsh Premier League Player of the Month for February 2007 is Gareth Owen of Airbus UK. Owen is in a strange position as he's currently the only person in the League that could win both awards as he's the Airbus Player/Manager and following three victories in the month, he almost did!
The combative midfielder has been the heartbeat of the Airbus side throughout the season, consistently winning praise from opposition Managers, but his form, leadership skills and crucial goals throughout February have proved imperative during the trio of victories, that almost guarantees their Principality Welsh Premier survival.
Owen scored twice in the month, once against Cwmbran in a crucial basement battle and then the first at Port Talbot which set them up for their third win of the month. He was also named Man of the Match in two of the four games he played and is a thoroughly deserving recipient of the award.
Gareth took over the reigns as Airbus Player/Manager in June 2005, which was his first Managerial Position after an illustrious playing career in the Football League. He was an experienced midfielder who spent twelve years with Wrexham and two years with Doncaster Rovers before joining Connah's Quay for two seasons.
Mark Pennell, Manager of Mold branch of Principality Building Society said, "February has been a great month for Airbus UK and I'd like to congratulate Gareth Owen and the team on their achievements. Gareth is already a hero in these parts following a twelve year stint with Wrexham FC. I would like to wish him every success for the rest of the season and hope to see the team's winning ways continue during March and April."
Haverfordwest's winger Lee has been in outstanding form the Bluebirds in recent months, but his displays throughout January make him the well deserved Principality Player of the Month. Lee was awarded two Man of the Match awards by opposing Manager's in the month and has bagged three goals, a good return for the midfielder. Hudgell struck important goals in the wins over Cwmbran and Port Talbot and also struck against Connah's Quay.
Born in Germany, Lee originally made his league debut for the Bluebirds under Jason Jones in 2000/01 season, but has now, after some fine performances in 2005/06 season made the left side of midfield his own territory. He came on as a substitute in the 2004 UEFA Cup away Leg in Iceland and also boasts the clubs scoring record with five in one match. He has exceptional pace and a strong left foot, enabling him to cross the ball into opponent's penalty areas.
Sylvia Locke, branch Manager of the Haverfordwest Principality Building Society said, "Congratulations to Lee on winning this award. His tremendous performances this month have certainly helped Haverfordwest climb up the League table. Principality Building Society is proud to be associated with the Welsh Premier Football League and we at Haverfordwest are delighted with our local team's success. Principality prides itself on being at the heart of the local community, much in the same way as football and rugby clubs, up and down the country."
This month's Principality Welsh Premier League Player of the Month is TNS's longest serving player, John Toner. The club's record goal scorer was only a sub in his sides first match against Haverfordwest, but he has certainly capitalised on Mike Wilde's suspension by netting once against the Canaries and then notching a hat-trick on Boxing Day against Welshpool and he then matched this, with a second hat-trick in three days in the rout against Airbus. This strength in depth at Treflan really is a luxury for Ken McKenna and Toner has certainly reminded his boss that he is a natural scorer with seventeen League and League Cup strikes this term.
Toner, 29, is a survivor of the 2000 title winning side and now has three Championship medals to his name. The Canadian born hitman began his career as a trainee with Liverpool and burst onto the Welsh Premier scene with Cemaes Bay before scoring 38 goals in 49 games for Conwy United. He joined the Saints from Conwy in November 1999, scoring on his debut against Connah's Quay. His pace and shooting accuracy are his best assets, and his good form over the past two seasons have covinced McKenna to offer him two contract extensions.
Deborah Slawson-Davies, Manager of Principality Building Society in Wrexham said, "Congratulations to The New Saints on winning the Principality Player and Manager of the Month awards for December. The double-header shows how well the team have performed over the past month and I'd like to wish them every success for the rest of the season.
John will be presented with the award at TNS's home match against Carmarthen on Saturday 13th January 2007.
This month's Principality Welsh Premier League Player of the Month is Connah's Quay Nomads' prolific goal scorer Tommy Mutton. The striker has produced some eye catching displays for the Deesiders, who now occupy the lofty position of fourth in the table, just a single point adrift of leaders Rhyl.
He Has made 152 appearances for the Nomads and has scored 85 League and Cup goals for the club. On 6th October he reached a significant milestone, when he scored his 100th Welsh Premier League goal, 64 of which have been for Connahs Quay.
The presentation to Tommy Mutton will receive his award from a representative of the Principality Mold branch on a date to be arranged.
Rhys is third recipient of the Principality Welsh Premier Player of the Month Award this season and he is one of the main reasons why his side currently sit proudly at the top of the Principality Welsh Premier League. Last season's Player of the Year and Golden Boot winner moved to Llanelli over the summer from Port Talbot and he has continued his excellent form having already scored 18 League and League Cup goals. This view is shared by Rhian Davis, Manager of Llanelli branch of Principality Building Society who said, "Congratulations to Rhys Griffiths on winning this award. His goal scoring record this season has certainly helped secure Llanelli's position at the top of the league table. Principality Building Society is proud to be associated with the Welsh Premier Football League and we at Llanelli are delighted with our local team's success. Principality prides itself on being at the heart of the local community, much in the same way as football and rugby clubs, up and down the country."
Griffiths scored four goals at Caernarfon, one at home to NEWI Cefn Druids and the vital opener in the victory over TNS in the League. In the Loosemores Cup, he bagged two against Carmarthen, which sealed top spot for the Reds and the equaliser against Haverfordwest, totalling a hugely impressive nine goals.
Commanding Centre Back Matthew Rees of Port Talbot Town wins this award for the second time in as many seasons. The former Wales Under 21 International was awarded Man of the Match in the Steelmen's games against Newtown, Haverfordwest and NEWI Cefn Druids by the opposing Managers. Matthew played in the Football League for Millwall and Swansea before playing for Newport County and Crawley Town. He signed for Port Talbot in December 2004.
Louise Cotton, Manager of the Port Talbot branch of Principality Building Society said, "Congratulations to Matthew Rees on winning this award and to his team mates at Port Talbot on a flying start to the season."
Matthew, who celebrated his 24th birthday in September, will be presented with his £100 cheque by a Branch Representative from the Principality in Port Talbot prior to his teams' Top of the Table clash with TNS on Sunday 8th October.
The Nomads skipper has certainly been instrumental to his team's current form, that sees the Westenders in the accustomed lofty position of fifth in the League and they also lead their Loosemores League Cup Group. This comes as a far cry from the disastrous start that they made last year, when it took them three months to register their first points.
Mancot born Limbert won the Welsh Premier League and Welsh Cup (twice) with the Lilywhites and he started his career as an Everton trainee before playing for Chester, the Nomads, Altrincham, Colwyn Bay, TNS and Rhyl. (Photo Courtesy of the Deeside Chronice)
