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Denby, a key figure in the Rovers’ side that lifted the Derbyshire Senior and Banks’s League Cups and Banks’s League Runners-up trophy, was voted the club’s top player by both supporters and team-mates.

The close season signing from Alfreton won the player’s player award by an overwhelming margin.

But voting in the fans’ poll was so close that a final decision had to be made by a casting vote of a committee man to separate Denby from club skipper Dean Page.

Sadly, Page was not present to pick up a special award from the club, having been laid low by tonsillitis.

But there was plenty more for the large gathering to cheer about. Committee man Bruce Tams was awarded the Clubman of the Year trophy after his contribution towards the installation of Gresley’s new floodlights.

Reserve team player of the year was keeper Simon Harrison and youth team player of the year Tony Chambers.

Manager Frank Northwood was one trophy short of his pre-season target, he revealed in an after-dinner address.

“At the start of the season if anybody had told me we would pick up five trophies I’d have said I was hoping for six,” he said. The sixth would have been the FA Vase. But for the third season running we were beaten by a side that went on to reach Wembley.”

Northwood also spoke of his disappointment at missing out on the Banks’s League title by one point.

“Unfortunately we lost part of the puzzle on Boxing Day when Tracey Norton was injured. To finish second by a point without him was a tremendous achievement. All those players who’ve appeared in the first team this year have done Gresley Rovers proud.”

Northwood also paid tribute to treasurer Peter Jenkinson – “the backbone of Gresley Rovers” – and the committee, “the mainstay of the club without whom we wouldn’t be anything.”

There were warm words, too, for coach Steve Dolby who, Northwood revealed, is to be awarded a testimonial next season.

Guest of honour Robert Sutton, of sponsors Bass Worthington, said the company was, in principle, keen to renew it’s sponsorship for next season.

“We as a company, feel you have done us proud this year and we’re keen to return the compliment next season,” he said.

Award Winners:

Youth Team:
Player’s Player of the Year Andy Nicholls
Player of the Year Tony Chambers

Reserves:
Sportsman of the Year Chris Sharpe
Player of the Year Simon Harrison

First Team;
Sportsman of the Year Kieron Smith
Player of the Year Richard Denby
Player’s Player of the Year Richard Denby

Clubman of the Year Bruce Tams