2008/09 Player of the season countdown

#2. Andrew Sheridan

Apps: 14; Goals: 4

Tino is an Irishman best described as a colossus at the back for Banter. He has been the leading part of our defensive improvements and has been sorely missed when unavailable, more so than any other. His prowess from the penalty spot and penchant for popping up with the odd goal from corners have seen him placed 2nd in Banter's Golden boot list. Not bad for a centre half. In turn, he's found himself 2nd on this list as well.

Last season’s player’s player of the year has turned in the performances again this term. He’s scored 4 goals again, this time two from the spot, one from a well struck free kick against Santos and his first from open play when he stabbed in an equaliser against Carlton in December. Not only does he bring humour and wit, he is also the most dependable player in the entire squad. He rarely ever makes a mistake and is always an absolute man mountain at the back. He organises his troops tremendously well and has been an excellent stand-in captain on the two occasions he was called upon.

Vocal at all times, the only thing he possibly lacks is blistering pace. What he lacks in pace, however, he makes up for in decision making, anticipation and positional sense. He is rarely, if ever caught out and it is his consistency, whether Banter win, lose or draw that makes him so vital to the team. This consistency includes from the penalty spot as well. He's comfortably tucked two away again this term and has had to wrestle his way in there on both occasions, despite being Banter's regular taker. Against Carlton it was the first he'd have since his uncharacterstic miss in the cup final and after being asked by Adkins: "Do you want this?" and simply returning a grim look in response, he took the ball and made no mistake. Newcomer Hughes tried the same trick against Real Madras in March, as Phil described: "I was just having a look, you know, seeing who fancied it, so I thought I'd get in there but Tino came storming up and told me it was his. I wasn't going to argue." - good decision.

A monster in the air, and comfortable striding forward with the ball, hearing ‘Tino’ at the end of every game when man of the match votes are cast is really never any surprise and therefore his finest performance is difficult to pick out. Excellent in both wins over Santos and victory over Carlton where he scored twice; he picked up the man of the match award against Real Madras away from home and was even superb in the losses to Oakfield, Portland (home) and Purley Phoenix. He was also excellent in the narrow win over Sovereign in January, where he arrived late having seen his lift (and by lift I mean Bushy) taken away from him (and when I say taken away from him I mean stayed in bed with a hangover after 20 pints at The Swan the night previous). But Tino, hangover or not, improvised and got a cab over and was once again an important cog in that satisfying win.

The key is making sure he doesn’t work (sorry, ‘wokk’) on Sunday’s, since it’s easy to see how much he’s missed when he isn’t there. He’s missed 6 games all season and in his absence, Banter lost all of them. Go figure.

It is hard to find a fault quite frankly. Perhaps a few English lessons so his team mates could understand him wouldn’t go amiss? If he could even just stick to doing south London impressions all the time too, that'd be great. His effort for Milburn Reserves' winger last year is legendary. His spats on the field where he's able to wind up just about anyone by just telling them to "calm down, now" are also memorable. In particular, his involvement in what was to be voted Banter's quote and funniest moment of the season, against Carlton in early December. It's realistic to say that he and the centre-forward didn't get along brilliantly, therefore all Tino had to do was to tell him to stop cursing and the bloke lost the plot. Cue two of the greatest things ever said on a football pitch: "I'll curse you, you..." and "You lot just fink I'm some dick head from Croydon, well I'm not and I'll stab you all".

Tino also likes to get involved in the showboating. This can be seen on the end of season compilation where he grew wings, flew 10 feet, extended his legs and chopped down the poor, unfortunate Portland winger without getting so much as a whisker of the ball. Our number 16 was booked for his efforts and rightly so. As strong as he is in the challenge as well, there is the odd moment where he feels he's getting unfair treatment and will just throw himself to the ground with ridiculous ease. Sometimes a soft free kick is given, sometimes he'll get up in time to sort the situation out. Suffice to say it's never cost Banter anything, but it makes me laugh every time.

If I could have Tino in the team every single week I would. As said, there is a gaping hole left whenever he is unavailable and whilst 15 and 14 games for 07/08 and 08/09 seasons respectively is clearly the majority and a lot, I'd still love for it to be 20+. He won't do high-fives either. He's such a gent that it has to be a hand shake. What a guy.