Latest news with #MohamedHamza
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Coach 'proudest man in the world' after win in Papa Johns Men's Counties 3 & Below Championship Final
By Mohamed Hamza at Twickenham Old Otliensians head coach Andy Hinchcliffe declared himself 'the proudest man in the world' after his side outmatched Old Georgians 35-26 in the Papa Johns Men's Counties 3 & Below Championship Final at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. A formidable four-try burst from wing and leading county try scorer Will Howarth alongside an effort from Luke Cowdell helped Old Otliensians hold off their opponents in a thrilling back-and-forth battle at the home of English rugby. Having watched his side take the final step in their journey to become champions, Hinchcliffe's pride in his players was plain to see. 'I can't put it into words. I'm over the moon!', enthused Hinchcliffe. 'I'm the proudest man in the world. 'It was an extremely hard game and a wonderful contest that was perfect for where we were at. 'Just a great game between two very good sides and it could've easily gone either way but I'm absolutely delighted for the players. 'We've been through a lot in the last couple of years so it has been quite emotional. 'Will has had a great season. He is a very dangerous player but he is given the opportunity by the players around him and he is exceptionally quick and scores a lot of tries from half chances but the lads put him in a position to do that and he'll say the same himself. The Papa Johns Community Cup is a year-long festival of community rugby and was part of the season restructure in 2023 where player feedback indicated a preference to condense the league season and create a cup competition after the regular league season had ended. Through the Papa Johns Community Cup, many clubs were able to play different opposition and visit new places, while others reignited old local rivalries, all making plenty of memories along the way. Hinchcliffe added: 'It's a fantastic competition. To have a national competition for clubs like ours, where you get to play local clubs a lot and get to know them and also get to different places and play different sides you've never come across before makes it a fantastic tournament. 'Long may it continue.'
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Non-League legend Mick Joiner lost for words after award win
By Mohamed Hamza, Sportsbeat Non-League legend Mick Joiner was lost for words after he was surprised with the Isuzu Unsung Hero award at the National Game Awards in association with Isuzu. Joiner has been ever-present within Non-League after a staggering seven decades spent in service of Pitching In Northern Premier League Division One West outfit Chasetown, helping the club blossom from humble beginnings in the Cannock & District League to FA Cup giantkillers and a spot among the bigger fish at Step 4. Alongside his time with the Scholars, where he served in a variety of roles from player to chair since 1966, Joiner was instrumental in the birth of the Midland Football League in 2014, which helps to support the grassroots game and the progress of clubs of all shapes and sizes within Step 5 of the footballing pyramid. Joiner's award was kept secret from him until the awards ceremony at AFC Wimbledon's Plough Lane and in true unsung hero fashion, the 82-year-old insists his achievements would not have been possible without the support of those nearest. 'It's an honour and I'm proud of it but on reflection, lots of people have contributed to today because of what they've given me and how they've always encouraged me," admitted Joiner. 'I've done this for 70 years since I was 12 and it's all about trying to keep yourself fit and enjoying it and staying around younger people. That's not done in a nursing home but on a sports ground and I enjoy all sports but football is my love. 'The problem is it all goes so quick. If you look at this season, it seems just yesterday we were in August. 'You have to find a level of commitment but when you commit to something, you always have to be available for that extra 10 minutes or hour or yard to get over the line. 'It's teamwork and you couldn't do anything in life without support from people around you.' The National Game Awards is a celebration of the non-League season - highlighting the community, fans, on-field, and off-field successes of the game outside of the Football League. The ceremony is held annually by the Non-League Paper, the UK's number one selling football title and the best place for your non-league news. Joiner added: 'These awards are very important to thank people who have contributed and sponsored it. Without that it wouldn't take place. 'I haven't done what I've done to get an award but it's the icing on the cake and it's an honour to accept it. 'I can only say thank you to everybody for their contribution.' The Non-League Paper is the UK's number one selling football title, available every Sunday. For more information please visit
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Goalkeeper of the Year praises teammates after winning award
By Mohamed Hamza, Sportsbeat Scunthorpe United keeper Ross Fitzsimons insists his teammates deserve the credit after he scooped the Reusch Goalkeeper of the Year award at the National Game Awards in association with Isuzu. Fitzsimons wrote his name in Iron folklore after keeping an incredible 27 clean sheets for the side, breaking a record that had stood for just over a century and ensuring the National League North outfit only conceded a division-low 30 goals. The former Notts County and Chesterfield shotstopper has proved a revelation between the sticks for the Iron but Fitzsimons insists his side's tag as the steeliest defence in the division was a combined effort from throughout the pitch. 'The defence were really good in front of me and when I was called upon, I did my job,' said the 30-year-old. 'You want to be settled in front of your team and know what your players do and don't do and it's important to build that rapport and relationship. 'I feel we have done that over the past few years where we now know each other inside out. 'It's nice to get the award and also break a record for the club that has not been touched for over 100 years and to now hold that record for the club. 'Scunthorpe has been a great club for me and I feel at home here.' The National Game Awards is a celebration of the non-League season - highlighting the community, fans, on-field, and off-field successes of the game outside of the Football League. The ceremony is held annually by the Non-League Paper, the UK's number one selling football title and the best place for your non-league news, with this year's edition hosted at Plough Lane – home of AFC Wimbledon. Fitzsimons, who was a first-time winner at the bespoke awards this year, has set his sights on using his success as a stepping stone into the international arena and further up the domestic footballing pyramid. He revealed: 'Winning the award and to be effectively named the best goalkeeper in non-league means everything to me. 'It has been really good. It's a great event and lads have won awards and gotten into the England C team off the back of that. 'It's a massive stepping stone to taking your career one step further into the promised land of the EFL so it's really important for me.'
