MFA 2005

The first annual Melee Football Awards took place on Saturday night, with Redbourn’s ‘Chequers’ pub as the surroundings. Current manager Kevin Webb, who along with special guest Daz Carey oversaw the proceedings, presented the awards, which are voted for by fellow professionals. The ceremony took place over a nice meal, conveniently situated within walking distance of the infamous Fudge bar on the St. Albans road. There was little red-carpet treatment offered by the staff, as melee players again had to wait an exceptionally long time for their food to arrive.

The awards were kicked off with the prestigious Most Needed award. This year there was little doubt regarding who should win this and the absent Samba picked up this award.
The next award given out was due to be the School-Boy award. This was dropped from the schedule at the last minute for unknown reasons. A spokesperson for the ceremony said it seemed ‘a little harsh’.
The Work Horse award was next to be awarded, and it was handed out as a joint award to Justyn and Alex, both taking 33% of the vote.
Before Justyn had a chance to sit down, he had to collect another gong, or should I say post-it note. This time winning the unwanted Squanderer of the Year award. I’m sure he won’t keep that on his notice board.
It began to seem like it was going to be a ceremony full of absentees when the Rogue award was handed to Luke. Despite only having played 2 games in the current campaign, his ability to kick shins and argue with the ref meant that he just got the award from the clutches of his cousin Justyn by a single vote.
The Taxi award of the year went to Alex. The award was given for his, shall we say ‘unique’, performance when coming back from injury. Hampered by a severe, life-threatening illness, he took to arguing with the ref, presumably in the hope that he too would become ill. No illness materialised and Alex was sent to the stands for having bad breath.
The next award took a long time being given out. The Pele award, given for outstanding achievement in the area of show-boating genius, was awarded to Samuel who, by this time, had already slipped off down the road. (such an over-used joke, but just couldn’t resist it mate). Upon his return from the land of the yellow-hummer, he was handed the prestigious post-it. That’s definitely one to keep.
There were only two more awards to be handed out at this stage. The Player’s Player and the Manager’s Player. The Player’s Player was given jointly to three players, all receiving a third of the vote. These were Daudi, Nick and Samuel.
Finally, the Manager’s Player was given to Daudi. After an interview with the manager it was for “His ability to play on, even after he looked absolutely dead”.