Thank you all for your continued support!

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​​​Nominations

(Alphabetically)

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1. Imogen Fisher: U13 Marvels (Girls)

Nominated By: Emily Heaver.

Imogen is one of the most skilful players in our squad, but she is also one of the hardest workers and best listeners. Although her Swindon training clashes with our Wednesday night sessions, she does double training every other week and always gives 100%, never complaining about being tired. She is indefatigable in matches, even when targeted by the opposition, and tirelessly sets up goal after goal for our strikers. Imogen is extremely self-effacing and respectful to both coaches and players, and commands huge respect in return. She is a true Marlborough Marvel, and we are lucky to have her on our team.

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2. Harry Hanson: U10 Falcons (Boys/Mixed)

Nominated By: Michael Bunyan.

This season, we are nominating Harry Hanson, who plays as a goalkeeper in the U10 Falcons. Harry has been a strength for our team’s performances this year, making some fantastic saves with improved passing and distribution during matches. Harry has worked on his positioning and communication, whilst always being positive towards other players. Being a goalkeeper is widely considered the hardest position in football due to intense mental pressure, isolation and a near-zero margin for error. A single mistake often directly results in a goal, turning potential heroism into blame. Well done for continuing to have a positive attitude, sometimes in difficult circumstances, with a memorable penalty save this season.

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3. Georgia Head: U15 Mavericks (Girls)

Nominated By: Matt Hodey.

I would like to nominate Georgia Head for her exemplary leadership and fortitude during a tough season. For six of the last seven seasons, our girls have been used to winning most of their matches. To test themselves this season, they became the first girls’ team in MYFC history to play in a boys’ league. They have learned far more about themselves in adversity than they have in winning every week. It’s been wonderful to see Georgia grow into a fine captain who keeps cajoling her team, displaying effective communication and, at times, carrying them through her never-say-die attitude. We have had a number of matches where our second-half performances have been brilliant. These girls never give up. Georgia, as captain, is the epitome of what it means to be a Maverick. Don’t follow the crowd (play in a boys league), don’t settle for easy, and keep pushing yourselves to new heights. Her team talks are excellent, and, as a coach, it’s been lovely to watch a young player grow in confidence and approach with her teammates. The true example of a Club Player. Thank you, Georgia, and good luck with the votes. You deserve the recognition. 

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4. Eri Johnstone: U11 Phoenix (Girls)

Nominated By: Dan Creed.

Where do I start?! Eri’s journey has been incredibly privileged to watch, and as a coach, this is what makes this role so special. Eri joined us as a shy under eight and often stood behind her Dad for the first few months. With gentle encouragement, we started to see her confidence grow in this new environment and her football blossom. Fast forward two years, Eri is ever-present, always keen, always positive, and her desire to do her best is infectious and admirable. It also happens to be extra special as she is a pretty awesome footballer and recently had trials at Swindon. As one of our coaches, it’s another proud moment for us to reflect on the impact we have on these amazing girls.

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5. Izzy MacNeil: U8 Angels (Girls)

Nominated By: John Whitehead.

Izzy loves playing football and has such a positive effect on the rest of her age group. She listens to the coaches and always tries her best, but what really makes her stand out is her thoughtfulness and generosity towards her teammates and coaches. Even though we only launched her girls’ age group 12 months ago, Izzy has quickly learned that football is a team sport and that you get the most from the team when all the players work together and support one another. Izzy is an excellent role model for the Club's ethos and values and is a joy to coach. She has a very bright future and would be extremely deserving of this award.

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6. Meg McGrath: U16 Tigers (Girls)

Nominated By: Luke Cox.

Meg has had another fantastic season for the U16 Tigers, becoming a reassuring presence in goal in a team that won the North Wiltshire U16 Ladies Div 2 league. Meg has also broken into the Marlborough Town FC ladies’ team this season, establishing herself as the first team keeper! To further cap it off, she has also been selected to join the Swindon Town C6 programme from next season—a two-year post-16 (Year 11+) football education initiative run by Commonweal Sixth Form and the Swindon Town FC Community Foundation. It enables her to combine her academic studies with professional training, competitive games, and coaching.

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7. Lola O'Malley: U11 Merlins (Girls)

Nominated By: Tony Brazier.

Lola embodies the club’s core values and demonstrates an infectious love of the game. Joining slightly later, Lola has now completed her second full season. Her growth, both in confidence and ability, has been brilliant to witness. When she scored her first goal, the team and spectators alike celebrated it like a cup win - a sign of just how highly she is thought of on both sides of the touchline! Initially one of the quieter players, Lola has developed into a dependable and brave defender, playing a key role in the team’s success, including a seven-game unbeaten run after requesting to be our main defender. Her commitment to learning is clear in every training session, and she has embraced the role with determination and pride. Beyond her ability, Lola stands out for her kindness and sportsmanship. She is always the first to check on any injured player, teammate or opponent. Growing in confidence, she also supports and mentors others on the pitch, especially with their defensive positioning, in a positive, encouraging way. A “players’ player” and a true teammate, Lola is an unsung hero who represents everything our club stands for.

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8. Bobby Price: U14 Jackals (Boys/Mixed)

Nominated By: Mark Rowlands.

Bobby has faced an incredibly challenging season, both on and off the pitch. After months of illness, he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease - a life-changing condition that tested him in ways most young players will never experience. He endured eight weeks without solid food, relying on specialised nutrition, alongside intensive steroid treatment, countless hospital visits, consultations and regular blood tests. Yet through it all, Bobby has shown extraordinary commitment to his team. Unless attending hospital appointments, he has been present at almost every training session and has continued to play in every match. Even when visibly tired, he refuses to step back—pushing through physical and mental fatigue simply for the love of the game. What sets Bobby apart is his mindset. Not once has he complained or looked for sympathy. Instead, he has shown maturity beyond his years, refusing to let his condition define him and continuing to give everything for his team. His courage, resilience and dedication are inspiring and would make him a deserving winner of MYFC’s Club Player of the Year.

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9. Sophie Rumbold: U9 Eagles (Boys/Mixed)

Nominated By: Gary Woods.

Sophie has been with MYFC since U6, then played with the U7 Falcons, then joined my team (U9 Eagles) this season. Oh, and she also plays for the U9 Angels girls team! Her Falcon’s coaches, Ali & Craig, speak very highly of her (e.g., a frequent Player of the Match recipient), and she is always willing to play for both teams whenever she can. Quiet and unassuming, Sophie is fiercely determined and hardly misses a week unless playing for the Girls’ team. She moved to the Eagles after a change around of squads and settled in with little fuss—one of the leaders on the pitch every week. Not a game goes by without our opposing coaches commenting on her ability and resilience. This season, against an older age group (U10 Lionesses), Sophie performed admirably and more than held her own against girls who were mostly bigger, showing comparable ability and technique. She is an excellent advocate for the girls’ game in general and a pleasure to coach. Always a superb attitude, just getting on with the game. You'll rarely find Sophie celebrating wildly but look close enough and you'll see the occasional subtle fist-pump after a tackle or scoring!

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10. Tom Shellard: U13 Mavericks (Boys/Mixed)

Nominated By: Adam Cooper.

Tom Shellard has been a longtime member of MYFC and currently plays for the Under-13 Mavericks. An excellent goalkeeper, Tom possesses very good match awareness, physical courage, determination, and goalkeeping ability. Tom has also challenged himself 'outside of his comfort zone' when the needs of the team required him to play outfield, and as centre forward, he scored a tremendous goal earlier this season and has happily played in defence if needed. His resilience in the face of setbacks has also improved significantly, a testament to his attitude toward learning and growing as a player and a young man. The Mavericks’ coaches have been consistently impressed by Tom's values, which align fully with the Club’s ethos; his commitment is absolute; he watches out for his team-mates; and his maturity and leadership, both 'on and off' the pitch, set a fine example. Well done, Tom: you're a great role model and a pleasure to coach!

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11. Teddy Stevenson: U12 Falcons (Boys/Mixed)

Nominated By: Mark Franklin.

Teddy is being nominated due to his attitude and unending enthusiasm. This year, despite being a defender for the last few seasons, he stepped up to play in goal when the previous keeper left due to a family move. He adapted brilliantly with the ups and downs of the responsibility and did not hesitate to push himself out of his comfort zone. Then, when another goalkeeper also joined, he embraced their involvement and shared brilliantly, whilst also helping them get to know a new group of teammates. He is always a joy to coach, and role models the best behaviour - he is positive, kind, respectful and adaptable. A player who is greatly valued by his coaches and teammates. Well done Teddy!

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12. Ted Watson: U18 (Boys/Mixed)

Nominated By: Paul Partelides.

Ted was set to be a key player for the Marlborough boys’ U18 team, not just because of his footballing skills but, critically, because he was part of the glue that made a bunch of individuals a real team. From his selfless work rate on the pitch to his positive enthusiasm and encouragement of teammates off it, he helped everyone play better and be a better version of themselves. Ted then had the massive misfortune to tear a cruciate ligament during a pre-season friendly, ruling him out of the team and out of any kind of sporting activity for the rest of the season. Despite this blow, Ted remained fully engaged, not just by remaining active in the players’ group chat but also by continuing to support the team from the sidelines (on crutches!), offering tactical advice during matches and encouraging the players throughout. By staying so closely and positively connected to the team, when it would have been easy to withdraw, Ted was still able, despite his injury, to play an important part in what has been a successful season. We have been truly impressed by this exemplary behaviour, which is why I am nominating Ted for this award.​​