Manager of the Month
Mark Bradshaw – Curzon Ashton
It’s never easy to follow a legend. Just ask David Moyes, Louis Van Gaal or Jose Mourinho.
When John Flanagan left Curzon Ashton in late November it was the end of an era. Thankfully, in Mark Bradshaw they had a man already in place to carry the torch.
Four successive wins in January had everyone looking on with envy at one of the National League North’s lesser fancied sides.
Moving themselves four points clear of bottom three having been level with the relegation zone going into 2019, they grabbed 13 points from five games.
Curzon secured impressive wins over York City and Chester in a marvellous month.
They also won at Nuneaton Borough and Ashton United – huge victories when you consider the league table.
Bradshaw is carrying on Flanagan’s great work and the team are playing with the commitment they were always famous for under their new boss.
Player of the Month
Matty Warburton – Stockport County
Stockport County have been in the form of their lives in recent months and were boosted by the incredible performances of one man in particular through January.
It was a perfect month for Jim Gannon’s side, beating everyone before them. An incredible haul of nine goals from Matty Warburton was always going to set the title race alight.
The attacking midfielder’s scintillating form has more than validated the Hatters’ title ambitions, taking his tally to 14 in the National League North this season.
Firing the winner at Altrincham on New Year’s Day must have given him the taste for goals as he went on to claim back-to-back hat-tricks against Truro City and York City.
Further wins against Leamington and FC United of Manchester saw County finish the month in second place, just a point behind leaders Chorley.
Volunteer of the Month
David Barnes – Southport
David Barnes has won Volunteer of the Month for Southport in the National League North.
An ever-present at Southport Football Club, Dave commits more than thirty hours each week to volunteering at the ground.
He is first to get there, at 7.30am – seven days a week – to prepare the building for the full-time staff’s arrival and as a retired joiner, he carries out numerous jobs around the stadium, which saves the club a lot of money.
On matchdays, he takes on the role of kit man for both home and away fixtures. Dave took up volunteering ten years ago to focus on something after his wife died.
He has just celebrated his 75th birthday and the Club wanted to show their gratitude for the brilliant support he gives them.
