Vanarama National League North

Monthly Awards: March 2019

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH- MANAGER OF THE MONTH

Kevin Wilkin (Brackley Town)

Brackley Town fans knew back in August it would take quite a lot to better last season. After all, they not only won the FA Trophy at Wembley but reached the National League North Promotion Final in the process.

Kevin Wilkin knows there’s only one way his side can improve on that - and March saw them take a giant leap towards achieving their goal of going up.

They started the month in fine fettle with a 3-1 win over Blyth Spartans.

Brackley then became the team to end Stockport County’s incredible three-month undefeated run with a 1-0 success at St James Park.

They then went on to defeat play-off rivals Kidderminster Harriers, before seeing to Hereford with a professional 2-0 away win.

Wilkin’s side ended the month with a credible goalless draw at Southport. It will take a lot already for them to miss out on the play-offs now.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH - PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Conor Branson (Bradford (Park Avenue))

Bradford (Park Avenue) came into the month on the back of a barren spell that threatened to derail their charge to the National League.

Step forward Conor Branson.

Versatile Branson took the month of March by the scruff of the neck and made it his.

Not content with keeping things tight at the back, only Jake Beesley scored more for the Avenue through the month than Branson himself.

Solid draws against Curzon Ashton, Alfreton Town and Southport were backed up with a win against Leamington.

Branson was then the difference in wins against Ashton United and fellow promotion pushers Spennymoor Town.

VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH- VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH

Dave Harrington-Wright (Chester)

Dave Harrington-Wright has won Volunteer of the Month for Chester in the National League North.

Although he is the Chairman of the club, Dave is a volunteer like everyone else at Chester and has worked tirelessly to restore the stadium to full working order after the flood damage earlier in the season. 

As well as the countless hours he puts in, he is also the primary carer for his wife as she undergoes treatment for a serious illness and has a full-time job away from football too.

Despite these personal challenges, he maintains a positive, cheerful outlook and the other people at the Club want him to be recognised for being such an inspirational leader, and of course, an inspirational volunteer too.