Blue Square Fan Awards 2007/08

From the League's Press Department: -

League sponsors Blue Square are giving the fans of Blue Square Premier, North and South clubs the chance to have their say on a number of prestigious end of season awards. By following the “Blue Square Awards” link on the www.bluesqfootball.com website, fans will have the choice to vote in 10 special categories.

Blue Square have enjoyed their first full season as sponsor of the Blue Square Premier, North and South. It has been a rollercoaster ride with some great individual performances, as well as team achievements that have surpassed everyone’s expectations.

There have been great goals, spectacular saves and some moments that players and fans alike may wish to forget. Now is your chance to decide which of these have been the best of the season. Supporters just fill in their favourites and Blue Square will announce the overall winners at the end of the month.

That’s not all...

Blue Square are offering all participants in the fan vote a FREE DVD of Blue Square Premier action from their inaugural season. The Blue Square Review 2008 chronicles the story of the season, from the Fleetwood goal bonanza to Aldershot’s title-winning charge. It will most importantly however include all of the fans award winners in action, showing exactly why they triumphed!

Squad Place Up For Grabs!!!

Blyth Spartans Supporters’ Club is offering its fans a unique opportunity to be included in next season’s squad!

The winner will be become a member of the squad, feature in the squad photo, have their “pen pics” forwarded to the programme editors of the clubs we face, as well as included on the official website.

Tickets for entry into the competition will cost £5 and will be available from Martin Hunter (or any Supporters’ Club Official) at the Presentation Night, Supporters’ Club AGM, Sponsors Night, as well as at the Preseason Friendlies and the winner will be drawn at random in the Social Club 15 minutes prior to the first Saturday home game of the new season.

The competition is open to anyone over 16 years old and the winner will be offered a “starting place” in any arranged charity games (i.e. an Emmerdale all-stars match)

For any exiles who will not be at the events over the summer, if they send an email to the SC (using the link at the top right of the home page) we will be able to sort out a ticket via PayPal or cheque.

April 08's POTM

The player of the month for April 2008 goes to Centre Back Gary Brown. Gary has become a firm fans' favourite since his move from Jarrow Roofing with some wonderful displays at the heart of the Blyth defence.

He typifies the spirit that has been shown in recent months to drag Blyth out of the relegation mire and also proves that there are still gems to found playing in the Northern League. Gary averaged 8.00 for the month and picked up 2 Star Man awards.

The player with the second highest average for the month was captain Gareth Williams who averaged 7.50 for the month.

Well-done Browny!

ADAM BARTLETT – PLAYER OF THE SEASON

With Blyth having played their final game of the season on Saturday; the “all-important” www.spartansfans.co.uk Player of the Season can now be awarded. This award is made to the player who has achieved the highest average merit mark for the season as awarded by various Spartans’ fans, officials and players (over 50 people have voted in this year’s competition).

It will come as no surprise to anyone who has seen Blyth Spartans play this season that the award has gone to Adam Bartlett. The ‘keeper played every minute of every league game and only missed one game all season (the Setanta Shield match with Harrogate Town) because of international commitments with the England ‘C’ Squad. In addition to this he picked up 12 ‘Star Man’ awards, was awarded a perfect 10/10 in two matches, was the hero in two penalty shootouts and kept Blyth in a number of games with saves that, quite frankly, had to be seen to be believed.

On hearing of his award the 22 year old, who works as a Goalkeeping coach at Newcastle United’s Academy said, “Obviously I’m delighted to win the award for a number of reasons. The first being that the merit mark system through the whole of the season shows a good indication of how you have performed throughout and to come out on top with the highest average and most ‘Star Man’ awards is very pleasing. On top of that it wasn't just voted for by 1 or 2 people. There were many different fans rating your performances each game, so to have impressed so many different Spartans also makes me very proud of this achievement.”

Bartlett’s form was so consistent over the course of the season that he only received a score of less than 7/10 on one occasion and this is something that ‘keeper was also rightly satisfied with, “I have been pleased with my consistency throughout the season and feel that I have progressed as a player from the previous season, although as a whole the team has not reached the level we know we can.

I would also like to thank all Blyth supporters for their support through a tough, tough season and I look forward to seeing this support again during the 2008-2009 season.”

Adam will be officially presented with his award at the end of season Presentation Night (which will take place in the Social Club on Friday 9 May)

Well-done Barts!

Score and Win!

Once again Blyth Spartans will be running their Sponsor the Goal scheme for the upcoming season, for a one off payment of £20 you will be entitled to three guesses as to how many goals the Spartans will score next season, up to the last home game (excluding play offs and penalty shoot outs). Alternatively you can agree to pay 20p per goal, but you will only be entitled to one guess. In the event of a tie the winner will be decided by a draw in the clubhouse following the last game of the season. The winner will receive a FREE season ticket for season 2009-2010.

This season the Spartans have managed a total of 66 goals with the winning guess coming from Phil Castiaux

Should you want to take part in the competition, please see Gordon Young or send us an email (via the link at the top right of the home page) and we will email you a form.

Adam Bartlett - Supporters Club Player of the Year

At the last home game of the season (v Solihull Moors) goalkeeper Adam Bartlett was presented with the highly coveted Blyth Spartans Supporters' Club Player of the Year for season 2007/2008. The 'keeper has had another brilliant season 'between the sticks' winning us numerous points with some unbelievable saves. His form has been so good he has also been called up to the England 'C' squad on several occasions.

This award is given out every year and is decided in a vote a the penultimate home game of the season (the www.spartansfans.co.uk award is still on-going and will be awarded after the season has ended)

The above picture shows Adam being congratulated by Supporters' Club Committee Member Derek Birdsey (although in fairness, Derek doesn't look too keen to hand over the trophy!)

Well done Barts!

WE'RE SAFE!

Despite going down 3-2 to Boston United yesterday, results elsewhere ensured that the cigars and deck chairs could be confidently utilised as confirmation came that Blyth Spartans will ply their trade in Blue Square North again next season. After two seasons that have seen a huge amount of success, I think everyone knew this season would be a tough one as we tried to establish ourselves in the league.

Here's to next season!