2008/09 Player of the season

#1. Tommy Warburton

Apps: 18; Goals: 15; Assists: 4

The converted winger has had quite a season, hasn't he? With Euro mostly unavailable and Morley uninterested, Banter were in need of an out-and-out striker to play as the last man, cause problems and ultimately, score us goals. Given Wommy had done all of these things from wide the season previous, it seemed a pretty good idea. The other bonus being that he was now available all season, having been restricted in 07/08 as a student living in Portsmouth. He'd finished the previous season tremendously, scoring in quarter, semi and final of the cup run. He picked up where he left off well.

He grabbed two in his first game up top against Madras, the first a lovely team move which Hore crossed in for him to finish well, the second saw him round the goalkeeper and tuck the ball away neatly. Through October and November he then scored 9 goals in 4 games. His strike from the edge of the penalty area against Sanderstead was particularly memorable - an instant control and curler into the far corner which was his 2nd that day. The way in which he ran Santos and Coulsdon ragged made him unplayable, the latter performance being an almost single-handed demolition of Coulsdon’s backline, scoring 3 out of Banter’s 4 goals that day, most of which he created from nothing himself. He grabbed a couple against Croydon Postal too in that narrow loss and then, he got injured. One look at the scorers charts at the end of the season shows how lop-sided it all is, another glance at how many man of the match performances he turned in also shows how much he’d be missed if unavailable. Missed he was. Thankfully he only missed 3 games and whilst it seemed like an ice age, he returned to start in the new year and began putting in the performances again. He grabbed another brace and man of the match performance in the 3-2 win over Sovereign and scored the only goal of the game as Banter narrowly beat Santos 1-0 in February.

His goal tally provides good reading and it also proves that there is definitive end product, but his contribution to the team this season has not just been about goals. His work rate is as good as anybody's in the entire squad, he's strong and never bottles a 50/50 challenge, he has phenomenal pace which scares defenders no end and ultimately, he is a forward thinking player who makes things happen for himself and for others. It's fair to say that he's dragged the team through games, getting goals from nothing and points from no-where. He can also lay claim to having the assist to the goal of the season when he back-heeled Boma into play for him to finish in the 5-1 thrashing of Santos.

His attitude and dedication is not to be sniffed at either. Even in 07/08, as a full time student living on the south coast he tried his best to get back for games, managing 14 games from 22 available. This term he'd have been available every single week but for injury. Also apparent is that he is one of the definites and regulars whenever training is on. He has undoubtedly been the stand-out player of the season and if he remains injury free and has regular support up top, on the wings and in midfield, he can be even better and more successful next season and score even more goals too. He's had various strike partners with mixed success and when the chances have been laid on, he's tucked them away.

Not only did his 15 goals see him get the Golden Boot award, but he was also voted the player's player of the season as well as picking up the manager's player too. If only 4 assists to 15 goals sparks alarm bells then I suppose the fact that he hogged all the end of season trophies shows off his selfishness fully, not once offering to give any back.

Wommy also brings Wommy's Girlfriend. This is no ordinary FAG. This is the loud, outspoken, potty mouthed, but frankly lovable lady in his life who also films all of our games, so long as Cling Bak brings the camera and has it charged. It's all round contribution from that household to be fair.

Never afraid to voice his opinion either, Wommy's already thrown down the gauntlet and claimed that Banter will win the league in 2009/10. A big call. As an individual he only just missed out on the division's overall top scorer this term. But one thing is for sure, if Banter are to win anything, come remotely close or even better this season's league position as a starting point, he'd have to be the focal point of that. Roll on September.