September’s winners of the MANarama National League monthly manager, player and volunteer awards are celebrating tonight after the accolades were handed out on Friday.
Yeovil’s Darren Sarli delivered on his Glovers mission to collect the National League manager of the month accolade while Barrow‘s John Rooney scooped the player’s gong ahead of his side’s trip to leaders Bromley on Saturday. Dover Athletic’s media man Stefan Milton was named as September’s top volunteer in Non-League‘s top flight.
MANarama National League Manager of the Month – Darren Sarll, Yeovil Town
His remit on arrival was crystal clear, but what was ahead of him anything but.
“If people think they can just wave a wand and it’s all good… well, it just doesn’t happen,” Darren Sarll said as he entered Huish Park, told to simply restore some pride.
It took less than a month for Glovers’ fans to think their new manager is magic.
Six games in September, and six wins. It’s seven in a row overall, a period which has brought a whole new complexion to the situation.
Sutton United, FC Halifax Town, AFC Fylde, Solihull Moors, Aldershot Town and Bromley. All beaten.
Sarll, who took over later this summer when the club found themselves out of the Football League for the first time since 2003, took a matter of weeks to warm Somerset hearts.
They ended September just a point behind leaders Bromley.
It’s incredibly rare what goes down comes straight back up, as many clubs have found out.
Are Yeovil ready to make a mockery of that trend?
MANarama National League Player of the Month – John Rooney, Barrow
The words “Rooney” and “goalscoring” have been seen together on headlines for what seems like forever – it’s no different in the MANarama National League at the minute.
This month, Barrow midfielder John Rooney has recorded goalscoring stats that his brother Wayne might usually be more accustomed to.
Rooney could do no wrong as he went on to score seven goals in five games in September, putting him joint third in the Golden Boot race with teammate Scott Quigley.
The Bluebirds saw off Aldershot Town, Solihull Moors, Ebbsfleet United, Chorley and Maidenhead United to end the month on a five-game win streak – a winning run they haven’t seen this good since 1968.
It’s now made the outlook a bit brighter for fans who might have been worried after defeat to Hartlepool United at the beginning of the month left them in the bottom four.
Rooney’s heroics mean he now only needs two more to surpass his tally for the whole of last season with 32 games still to play.
Who said you needed to start well to have a good season?
MANarama National League Volunteer of the Month – Stefan Milton, Dover Athletic
Stefan Milton of Dover Athletic has won September’s Volunteer of the Month for the National League.
Stefan has been part of the Club’s media team for nearly three years. The 29-year-old plays a vital role in video editing match highlights and sending them to The National League’s match footage database at the ground after every home matchday.
What makes his dedication even more special is Stefan has Metatropic dysplasia and is wheelchair-bound.
The club say Stefan always has smile on his face and they love having him as part of their important volunteer team.
