Toolstation NCEL Division One
Selby striker Liam Flanagan receiving one of his two awards as chairman Ralph Pearse, who hailed the club’s manager Christian Fox, watches on. Picture: Dave Haddock
Christian Fox was hailed for “lifting” Selby Town and bringing the Robins back together, at the club’s presentation night last week.
Selby chairman Ralph Pearse made the comments during his keynote speech before the awards were handed out at the end of the season bash which was standing room only.
Fox, one of the best young bosses in the NCEL, has raised the bar at Selby by turning them from a mid-table side and into a promotion-chasing side – accumulating in their highest finish for six years. The former York City first teamer also led Selby to their first West Riding County Cup final for a quarter of a century. The swashbuckling way his ‘superheroes’ also play has also received critical acclaim.
Pearse said: “Since he came in last year, Christian and his management team have lifted the whole club and brought it back together. They have put the pride back into the Selby Town badge.
“Crowds are up and the style of football his team are playing is absolutely brilliant and it is the best Selby Town has seen for some time. We have also scored more 100 league goals, we haven’t done that since the 1950s.
“It has been a brilliant season and I’m excited for next season when we enter our centenary year.”
Because of his outstanding efforts, Selby have offered Fox a long-term contract – one he looks poised to accept.
His speech focused mainly on the club’s hard-working behind the scenes staff, who had to face a ridiculous end of season fixture schedule – caused by bad weather, an absurd postponement and a bad choice of date for the County Cup final.
Fox told the packed room: “The team have been called superheroes recently, but I said in my programme notes for the last game that the real superheroes are the volunteers.
“They are the heartbeat of the club because without them the club wouldn’t survive or move forward.”
Goal machine Liam Flanagan took home two trophies – the top goal-scorers award and the players’ player of the year trophy.
Midfielder Jordan Snodin was the supporters’ player of the year.
Magic man Joe Dale was Fox’s player of the year.
Christian Fox, one of the best young bosses in the NCEL, has been offered a long-term contract after transforming the fortunes of Selby Town. Picture: Dave Haddock
Some of the award winners. Picture: Dave Haddock