The Sussex Disability League Presentation Event was held on 5th July at the Sussex County Cricket Ground in Hove. Attended by nearly 300 players, friends, family and league sponsors the event was a fitting celebration of the league season.
The league were honoured to have in attendance Sir Trevor Brooking who gave out a number of the awards and shared some stories of his time playing for West Ham United and England.
League Division Awards
Adult Division 1 sponsored by Rix & Kay Solicitors
Winners: Sunday Seagulls
Runners-Up: 1066 Specials
Adult Championship sponsored by Gibney’s Decorators
Winners: Out There Crawley
Runners-Up: Horsham Forest Flyers
Adult Premiership sponsored by Knight Accountants
Winners: Lewes CFC
Runners-Up: Eastbourne Seagulls
Under-18 League sponsored by Go Walkabout
Winners: Seagulls & Mid Sussex Marvels
Runners-Up: Worthing Seagulls
League Cup Awards
Adult Division 1
Winners: Worthing Seagulls
Runners-Up: Eastbourne Tigers
Adult Championship
Winners: 1066 Specials
Runners-Up: Out There Crawley
Adult Premiership sponsored by Coopers Jewellers
Winners: Lewes CFC
Runners-Up: Worthing Seagulls
As well as the League Division and League Cups being presented there were also awards made to two young referees Aaron Newton and Matthew Roberts.
Every player in the league also received a medal and certificate which was made possible thanks to a League sponsorship deal with local travel insurance company Go Walkabout who also, as part of their sponsorship, set up a website for the league: www.sussexdisabilityfootball.org.uk.
The main award of the day was the Owen Defreitas Cup – League Player of the Year. This special award was donated by Outlook House in memory of Owen who played in the League. The award is made each year to a player who has made an exceptional impact on the people around them. This year’s winner was Luke Southall, who was presented with the Cup by Sir Trevor Brooking. Winning the award was of particular significance for Luke as he previously played football with Owen.
League Secretary Pam Chandler said of the event: “It was great to see all the players receiving their awards today. The divisions have been really close and competitive this season so every award has been the result of hard work and commitment by the players, coaches and support staff of each team; not to mention the family, friends and supporters who attend each session and many of whom were here to support today.”
League Chairman Tony Kybett was equally enthusiastic about the event, paying tribute in his closing speech to the players who he says inspire him, and show more enthusiasm for their football than anything he has seen in his many years of involvement in football.
Also in attendance at the event were Sussex County FA Chairman Mathew Major and Chief Executive Ken Benham, both of whom are committed to ensuring the County FA continue their commitment to disability football through delivery, support and publicity.
Photos of the event will be on our League Facebook page next week.
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