DALE BELFORD may be leaving his post as Rugby Town manager this week with his team having finished just outside the Evo-Stik NPL Division One North play-off places.
But one of Non-League‘s most popular characters could be heading through the Butlin Road exit with a major national accolade under his arm, as the Warwickshire side lead the NLP‘s Fair Play table going into their final game last Saturday.
Town went into last weekend as one of six teams yet to accrue any points, having received no cautions for dissent or red cards for abusive language/violent conduct.
National League sides Boreham Wood, Cheltenham, FC Halifax, Wrexham and FC United of Manchester were the other clubs on zero points – and they all have a further game to play.
This isn’t your traditional Fair Play table based solely on yellow and red cards accumulated during a season. Every fan knows there is a difference between a yellow for a slightly mistimed tackle and one for blatant dissent towards an official, and The NLP table – printed every Sunday courtesy of the Football Association – accounts for these differences in support of the governing body’s Respect campaign.
Providing they didn’t blot their angelic copybook in Belford’s final game against Shaw Lane Aquaforce, the fact that Rugby have had just one sending off all season and 35 yellow cards overall would see them succeed National League North club Harrogate Town as our Fair Play saints at Stamford Bridge on May 18.
NGA 2015-16 list of awards
Sport Shield Player of the Year
Sportsbeat Young Player of the Year
FieldTurf Manager of the Year
Reusch Goalkeeper of the Year
Morrant Golden Boot
SK Kits Step 3 & 4 Player of the Year
Red Insure Team of the Year
Acerbis Cup Run of the Year
The Non-League Paper Lifetime Achievement
Huck Nets Goal of the Season
William Hill Fan of the Year
The Football Foundation Community Club of the Year
The PFA Fair Play Award
SCL Unsung Hero
How to vote
Please email [email protected] to cast your vote or use #NGAvotes on twitter
