Seb Hayes has paid tribute to three of his Holbeach United players after the club held its end of season awards bash on Saturday night.
Keeper Ricky Drury shared the coveted players’ player of the season award with defender Joe Braithwaite, while the Tigers’ number one also walked away with the supporters’ player of the year prize.
Also collecting two gongs was 17-year-old right back Lewie Harker, who claimed the young player of the year accolade and manager’s player of the year title, while striker Lewis Leckie was the top scorer.
For boss Hayes, it was fitting that three members of the Holbeach defence walked away with the main honours on presentation night.
The Tigers had the best defensive record of any side in the ChromaSport UCL Premier Division as they finished an impressive fourth, conceding just 37 goals in 42 games.
Perhaps the most surprising part of the defensive unit was right-back Harker, who managed an amazing 31 starts in his breakthrough season.
Hayes had hoped that the teenage talent would reach 15 starts this year, but admits that he far exceeded his expectations – and has backed his starlet to have a big future in the game.
“To make 31 starts at this level – at just 17 years old – is amazing,” enthused the Holbeach boss. “But it’s even better when you do it for a side that was playing in the upper reaches of the league.
“We spoke at the start of the season and I felt he should be aiming for 15 starts this year. So, to more than double that is testament to how good a season he had.
“What he lacks in pace, he more than makes up for in his understanding of the game. He shows great maturity for one so young.
“Lewie has a very bright future at the club and I could easily see him playing two levels higher in the future – that’s how highly I rate him.
“There were a lot of candidates for manager’s player this year – Ricky Drury, Nick Jackson and Joe Braithwaite to name just three. But Lewie deserves it.”
Hayes was also full of praise for Dury, who he felt was the best keeper in the league “by a mile” last season, and highlighted the influence of central defender Braithwaite.
He added: “Ricky had an unbelievable season. We spoke in pre-season and he told me that he felt he needed to do more.
“For me, he was the number one keeper in the league by an absolute country mile. He kept so many clean sheets and made some saves that were right out of the top drawer.
“He was a big part of why we had the best defence in the league and the back five were a really tight unit throughout the season.
“As for Joe, he wears his heart on his sleeve – just like me. There was a point in the season when it looked like he’d leave, but he came back and was better than ever.
“For me, he was our best player in the Lincs FA Senior Trophy final and he’s just been fantastic in the heart of the defence. I can’t praise his performances enough.”
Hayes, who has already spoken of his desire to challenge for the UCL Premier Division title next year, hopes to be able to announce three new signings by next week.
He’s held encouraging talks with a striker, winger and defender and is confident of getting agreements in place before the official window to sign players open.
Those moves could see as many as five players leave Carter’s Park, with the Tigers chief looking to shuffle his pack a little.
Two of those players have already moved on, with winger Mitch Griffiths set to join up with Peterborough Sports and fellow midfielder George Zuerner being released.
Meanwhile, Holbeach have announced three pre-season friendly dates for July – including a clash with South Holland neighbours Spalding United.
The Tigers will host the Tulips on July 17 and also have dates with Skegness Town (away, July 14) and Peterborough Sports (home, July 28) pencilled in.
Hayes is also on the look out of an away friendly on July 7 and another fixture on July 20, be it home or on the road.
