Latest news with #Non-League
Powys County Times
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Golden boot winner can't think of a higher accolade to win
Ramsgate legend Joe Taylor says he can't think of a higher accolade to win after clinching the SK Kits Golden Boot award for the second time in as many years at the National Game Awards in association with Isuzu. Hometown hero Taylor bagged 48 goals in all competitions, with 40 of them in the Pitching In Isthmian League South East Division to help Ramsgate romp to the title and further assert his reputation as one of the deadliest marksmen in Non-League. The Rams captain and record goalscorer admitted he was delighted to receive recognition for his exploits in front of the net for a second successive year. Taylor said: 'It's the highest personal accolade I can win as someone playing Step 2/3/4 football. 'To do it in back-to-back seasons is something I'm not sure anyone has done before and to do it makes me really proud. 'The Non-League Paper has shown great support for me as someone who has played in the Isthmian Leagues for most of my career. 'There are so many good people here and it's really nice to talk to them and be amongst it. It's a great occasion and I get to sit down with something I've won.' 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. Taylor recently announced his departure from the Rams in search of a new challenge but he was quick to reveal that he would look back on his time at Southwood Stadium as amongst the best in his career. He added: 'Ramsgate gave me a call 2 years ago when I was playing in a higher league and they talked about their project of wanting to get promoted and made me captain. 'We've now just been promoted and I'm the club's leading goal scorer in their history so it couldn't have gone much better. 'I'm happy with how it's went but it's the right time to leave and I'm looking forward to a challenge. 'I have nothing but good things to say about the club and best of luck to them. 'I'm proud of what we achieved over the past two seasons. I'll look back at that as maybe the best time of my career in non-league.'
South Wales Guardian
16-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
McLean believes the best is yet to come from award winner
And McLean, who accepted the award on Pearce's behalf, has backed the 28-year-old to add more to his trophy cabinet. He said: 'Ollie is somebody I have watched for a few years and I had no doubt he could make the step up and replicate the numbers and the performances he has had. 'He is a very talented young man and somebody who is just going to continue breaking barriers and keep scoring goals. As well as being a brilliant footballer, he's a great lad as well. 'Sometimes players take time to adapt to surroundings and a higher standard of football but he has taken to it like a duck to water and his performances have been nothing short of magnificent. 'He fully deserves the award and I'm sure it won't be the last of his career.' 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. McLean, who spent his early footballing years in Non-League with Aldershot Town and Grays Athletic between 2003 and 2007 in a career that eventually saw him feature for Hull City in the Premier League in 2013, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be involved with the awards. He revealed: 'At the end of the season, to be able to honour those in Non-League is exceptional and is something I'm privileged to be part of. 'I love it. It's my first time at these awards and it's something that hopefully in the years to come I'll be involved in and see all the faces and celebrate the things people do on and off the pitch." 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
- 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
Aaron McLean believes the best is yet to come from Non-League Player of the Year
By Mohamed Hamza, Sportsbeat Aaron McLean believes the best is yet to come from Ollie Pearce after the York City marksman picked up the Sports Circle Player of the Year award at the National Game Awards in association with Isuzu. Pearce plundered 46 goals in 51 appearances last season for Worthing to earn a move to York City and quickly silenced doubts of whether he could make the step up to the National League by firing 31 goals for the Minstermen. And McLean, who accepted the award on Pearce's behalf, has backed the 28-year-old to add more to his trophy cabinet. He said: 'Ollie is somebody I have watched for a few years and I had no doubt he could make the step up and replicate the numbers and the performances he has had. 'He is a very talented young man and somebody who is just going to continue breaking barriers and keep scoring goals. As well as being a brilliant footballer, he's a great lad as well. 'Sometimes players take time to adapt to surroundings and a higher standard of football but he has taken to it like a duck to water and his performances have been nothing short of magnificent. 'He fully deserves the award and I'm sure it won't be the last of his career.' 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. McLean, who spent his early footballing years in Non-League with Aldershot Town and Grays Athletic between 2003 and 2007 in a career that eventually saw him feature for Hull City in the Premier League in 2013, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be involved with the awards. He revealed: 'At the end of the season, to be able to honour those in Non-League is exceptional and is something I'm privileged to be part of. 'I love it. It's my first time at these awards and it's something that hopefully in the years to come I'll be involved in and see all the faces and celebrate the things people do on and off the pitch."
The Herald Scotland
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
McLean believes the best is yet to come from award winner
And McLean, who accepted the award on Pearce's behalf, has backed the 28-year-old to add more to his trophy cabinet. He said: 'Ollie is somebody I have watched for a few years and I had no doubt he could make the step up and replicate the numbers and the performances he has had. 'He is a very talented young man and somebody who is just going to continue breaking barriers and keep scoring goals. As well as being a brilliant footballer, he's a great lad as well. 'Sometimes players take time to adapt to surroundings and a higher standard of football but he has taken to it like a duck to water and his performances have been nothing short of magnificent. 'He fully deserves the award and I'm sure it won't be the last of his career.' 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. McLean, who spent his early footballing years in Non-League with Aldershot Town and Grays Athletic between 2003 and 2007 in a career that eventually saw him feature for Hull City in the Premier League in 2013, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be involved with the awards. He revealed: 'At the end of the season, to be able to honour those in Non-League is exceptional and is something I'm privileged to be part of. 'I love it. It's my first time at these awards and it's something that hopefully in the years to come I'll be involved in and see all the faces and celebrate the things people do on and off the pitch."
