Hale wins big at Lancaster City’s end of season awards

Lancaster City Player of the Year Awards 2014-2015. Mike Hale is presented with the Lancaster Guardian Player of the Year Award by Jonny Crossley.

The Blues stopper scooped five gongs including the Lancaster Guardian Player of the Year Award and the Joe Stephenson Memorial Trophy for the highest marks in the Guardian across the season.

The City number one was also named the Supporters’ Player of the Year, the Players’ Player of the Year and the Directors’ Player of the Year at the event at Lancaster Brewery on Friday, May 1.

A fine season for Hale had already seen him named as the best goalkeeper in the Evo-Stik First Division North at the Northern Premier League’s annual awards.

Mike Hale saves from Salford City's Danny Webber. Picture: Gareth Lyons

He was key in the Dolly Blues’ resurgence in the second half of the season as Darren Peacock’s side kept a host of clean sheets on the way to an 11th-placed finish.

Other awards saw Ben Hudson named as the Chairman’s Player of the Year, Aaron Taylor pick up the Top Goal Scorer award with the goal of the season gong going to Gavin Clark for his stunning strike against Kendal Town on Boxing Day.

Rob Hill was named Clubman of the Year for his extensive work around the club’s Giant Axe ground including painting and decorating.

For the reserve team, Daniel Birch was named the Manager’s Player of the Year while Mambwe Chilufya picked up the Players’ Player of the Year Award.