The Essex Spartans American Football club celebrated their most successful season to date with their annual Presentation Evening last weekend.
Hosted by new social secretary for the club Corinna Bourke in Maya’s World Buffet, Southend-on-Sea, more than 150 tickets were sold to senior and academy players and their families and friends.
The event came just two days after the death of the Spartans’ founder and general manager of 25 years, Tony Palmer, who was honoured on the night by Head Coach Seán Benton and current Chairman Ray Towey.
Awards were a combination of player-voted and coaching staff-voted accolades including Most Valuable Player in Offensive and Defensive outfits, and The Tony Palmer Spartan of the Year Award for outstanding service and commitment to the club.
Head Coach Benton said: “It was a great night for the club, albeit a bittersweet one with the sad news of club founder Tony Palmer’s passing this week. We were able to celebrate a very successful year for our organisation and reward our outstanding contributors, while at the same time recognising and respecting the outstanding contribution made by Tony Palmer over 25 years. I hope we honoured him appropriately.”
Raffle prizes were also donated and received with thanks from the Essex Spartans sponsors, Top-It UK, GoHam Clothing, Bearskin Apparel, Walton Hall Farm, Wire-Witch and Ed’s Diner, and representatives in attendance from other sponsors Dons Coaches, Walton Hall Farm and HotShots.
Full List of Award Winners
Academy
Junior Offensive MVP: Max Lucy
Junior Defensive MVP: Henry Quick
Youth Offensive MVP: Anthony Hawkes
Youth Defensive MVP: Owen Attard
Senior
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Jack Williams
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jackson Tiller
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Dave McPherson
Defensive Lineman of the Year: Joe Venables
Most Improved Player of the Year: Rob Downes
The Tony Palmer Spartan of the Year: Dean Payne and Family
Offensive MVP: Zac Davies
Defensive MVP: Harry Shelton
Special Teams MVP: Ernest Owusu
Overall MVP: Aaron Miller