SEVENTY-FOUR year old Mike Bull was named Club Person of the Year at Wellington Football Club’s annual dinner at the Beambridge on Saturday night, winning the Brown Rose Bowl, writes Barry Knott.

Mike has been a member of the soccer club for more than 40 years and mans the ‘gate’ before matches and serves behind the bar after games, plus carrying out other duties.

“It came as a bit of a surprise although I figured something was going to happen when someone mentioned had I got my speech together,’ said Mike who worked at Relyon for 50 years before retiring.

More than 100 members and guests attended the event with chairman Mike Hall being the master of ceremonies - and a very good one at that.

He congratulated all teams and made special mention of the ladies who play neighbours Staplegrove in the final of the Somerset FA Women Chairman’s Cup at Street on Sunday (May 14).

On a season of success for the club’s 25-plus teams, first team boss Clive Jones praised his players on winning the first division in the Toolstation League for only the second time in the club’s history. He described it as “brilliant.”

He told his players that they should not think about next season yet but “to enjoy May” because winning championships did not come around very often.

He also thanked assistant Ian Nott for all his help in Wellington becoming champions but stressed he did not normally like to pick out individuals in case he missed someone.

Skipper Tom Ellis was awarded the Players’ Player of the Year trophy for the second successive year while the Managers’ Player of the Year award went Tim Legg. The pair have formed a formidable partnership in the middle of Wellington’s defence this season.

Glen Wright was named Supporters’ Player of the Year and, in the ladies section, Leanne Godwin collected the Players’ and Managers’ Player of the Year trophies.

n Award winners included: Ladies: Leading scorer Molly Hines, Most Improved Player Nicole Brown, Players and Manager’s Player of the Year Leanne Godwin, Squad Member Jo Brown.

Men, third team: Leading scorer Jamie Cox, Players’ Player Warren Toth, Manager’s Player Brad Holman.

Reserves; leading scorer Mitch Woodgate; Players’ Player (John Stevens Cup): Aaron Hawkins, Manager’s Player Darren Mace.

First team: Leading scorer (Jeff Fleet Cup) Jack Taylor, Players’ Player Tom Ellis, Managers’ Player Tim Legg, Supporters’ Player Glen Wright.

Club awards: Young Player of the Year (Keith Davy Cup) Connor Pengelly, Clubperson of the Year Mike Bull.