Principality Player of the Month 2008/09
The Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League rewards the best Player for every given month with an award to mark their outstanding recent performances in the Corbett Sports 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. The Winner gets £100.00 from the Principality Building Society.
The centre-back has been a rock at the heart of the Rhyl defence all season, forming an outstanding partnership with club captain George Horan. The much-travelled stopper was named Man of the Match in the vital game of the Season against Llanelli at Stebonheath, in the key top-of -the-table game that helped the Lilywhites win their first Title in five years.
He also gained the same award from Airbus UK Broughton boss Craig Harrison in the Champions' 1-0 win at Belle Vue. In both games, Strong was instrumental in helping his side keep a clean sheet, which has been a catalyst for the Championship Winning Season.
Debbie Luke, Manager of Prestatyn branch of Principality Building Society, said: "Greg's contribution has been invaluable in getting the team to the top this season. We wish both Greg and the team our warmest congratulations - we are thrilled that Rhyl are this year's champions. It has been a cracking season of football talent and they are very worthy winners."
The evergreen forward had been in scintillating goal scoring form with a total of nine in seven games during the month. He grabbed both goals in a 2-0 win at Aberystwyth, one in the defeat to Port Talbot, an excellent hat-trick in the win over GAP Connah's Quay, two more in the win over Porthmadog and the opener in the 1-1 draw with Bangor City.
David Critcher, Regional Sales Manager for North Wales Principality branches, said; "Steve has been on great form this month and is a very deserving winner. We are pleased to offer him our warmest congratulations and have no doubt that his success will continue through to the end of the season...Principality is committed to supporting grass roots sport and we are especially impressed with the standard of play."
He was awarded the Man of the Match Award by opposing Manager's in two of his club's four games during the month, and it was no coincidence that the Saints kept clean sheets in both. Haverfordwest County's Derek Brazil and GAP Connah's Quay's Steve O'Shaughnessy were both suitably impressed by the performances of Holmes, and as well as being solid at the back, he popped up at the other end to score in the win over the Nomads.
David Critcher, Regional Sales Manager for North Wales Principality branches, said: "Tommy has been on great form this month and is a very deserving winner for the award - he has our warmest congratulations. We would also like to wish the team good luck as they battle it out to reclaim the trophy this year.
The ex-Rhyl forward scored an outstanding hat-trick against Aberystwyth in the League Cup Semi Final 2nd Leg, he also scored against the same opposition in the League victory and at Haverfordwest County in a 2-0 League success.
His highlight in the month though will be the goal he scored last Saturday, which will be remembered for some time by the Farrar Road Faithful as he beat three defenders on a weaving run, before firing passed by Michael Jones for the Welsh Cup Opener against his former team Rhyl. In total, he scored six goals in January and thoroughly deserves his Award.
Bethan Howard Jones, Manager of Bangor Principality branch, said: "Chris is an extremely talented player and we are delighted that he has been recognised for his significant contribution this month.
Debbie Luke, Manager of Prestatyn branch of Principality Building Society said: "Neil is a well-deserved player of the month. He is a talented striker and his exceptional skill contributed greatly to the team's extended lead at the top of the table.
"We are pleased to offer Neil our warmest congratulations and have no doubt that his success will continue through to the end of the season."
The loss of fellow-midfielder Tom Ramasut through injury has certainly been eased by the form of the ex-Llanelli midfielder in Derek Brazil's side. Neil is in the RAF and missed the start of the Season due to his Service commitments, where he was stationed in Afghanistan. His return to the club has been a catalyst for County's impressive form.
He also won the Player of the Month award for December 2004 in his first month in the League after former Lanelli Manager Nicky Tucker, brought him to Stebonheath from Taffs Well. He later left the Reds for a short spell with Bangor City, his RAF posting then took him to Basrah in Iraq. He returned to Llanelli from Porthmadog after he was relocated to South Wales.
The one-time capped former Wales International arrived at Park Avenue last January and became an instant hit with the loyal fans of the Black and Greens. Phil Richards, Principality Building Society manager of the Aberystwyth branch was delighted with his local team's achievements and said,
"It comes as no surprise to us that Aberystwyth Town's Christian Edwards is the winner if this month's Principality Player of the Month Award. He is having an exceptional season to date and is a joy to watch. We are indeed fortunate to have a player of his caliber playing in this league, and I am sure this award will be one of many."
The ex-Wrexham flyer, who joined the club on the 11th of August, began the campaign on the Lilywhites' bench, but was named in the starting eleven for the crucial match against Champions Llanelli, which was screened live on S4/C. This match proved to be the most important for JJ at his new club, and as well as scoring his maiden goal for the club, Peter Nicholas gave him the Man of the Match award, which was one of four in the August/September period.
Airbus UK Broughton boss Craig Harrison has also been very impressed with the ex-Wrexham flyer as he named the Trinidadian as the Star Man in both of the Loosemores Cup games between the two sides. In the match at the Airfield, the winger scored a tremendous solo effort in the 4-0 win, having beaten two players before striking the ball home beautifully. Porthmadog Manager Paul Whelan has also been suitably impressed by the 27 year-old, as he also named Johnson as the Man of the Match in the Lilywhites 3-0 triumph at Y Traeth.
