Cove Rangers celebrated a double success at the Highland League’s awards ceremony – for the second year in a row.
Forward Mitch Megginson scooped the player of the year, while manager John Sheran, who guided Cove to a third title in four years, won the manager of the year accolade at last night’s event in Nairn.
Megginson, who scored 49 goals in all competitions, missed out on retaining top goalscorer award to Inverurie Locos forward Neil Gauld, who scored 38 times in the league – two more than Megginson.
The fair play silverware went to Rothes, while the Highland League young player of the year award was retained by Forres striker Andrew Macrae.
Megginson thanked his Cove team-mates after their successful season, which saw them retain the championship and become history by becoming the first Highland League club to win promotion to the SPFL through the pyramid play-offs.
Sheran, who suffered a heart attack six weeks ago, received a warm ovation. He paid tribute to his management team, co-manager Graeme Mathieson and first-team coach Roy McBain, who stepped in for the four SPFL pyramid play-off matches that culminated with the club reaching League 2
The former Montrose and Peterhead manager said: “This trophy is also for my management team and backroom staff, my co-manager Graeme Mathieson, coach Roy McBain, as well as our directors, committee and an army of helpers, not forgetting our loyal supporters who have been magnificent over the last four seasons as we’ve won three Highland League titles.
“This award means even more to me as it has been voted for by my fellow managers in the Highland League.
“While we are all delighted that we are going to be playing in League 2 next season we will of course miss the camaraderie of Highland League football as we’ve made so many good friends over the years.”
A new category, the unsung hero award, was unveiled last night in recognition of the vast volume of voluntary work given by so many people at the
Highland clubs.
The inaugural winners are: John Briskham (Wick Academy), Mags Clark (Strathspey Thistle), Pearl Hendry (Turriff United), Kathleen Macpherson (Huntly), Charlie Simpson (Keith), Fred Wilson (Inverurie Locos).
The clubmen of the year are: Joe Malin (Brora Rangers), Callum Murray (Buckie Thistle), Michael Finnis (Clachnacuddin), Eric Watson (Cove Rangers), Ross Aitken (Deveronvale), Kevin Main (Formartine United), Stuart Soane (Forres Mechanics), John Treasurer (Fort William), Paul Young (Fraserburgh), Michael Clark (Huntly), Neil McLean (Inverurie Locos), Cammy Keith (Keith), Liam Archibald (Lossiemouth), Callum Maclean (Nairn County), Steven Anderson (Rothes), Scott Lisle (Strathspey Thistle), Cammy Bowden (Turriff United), Jack Henry (Wick Academy).