PHIL STEPHENSON carried off the Player of the Year award after a tough roller-coaster season with the Cougars.

The powerhouse forward was picked as the club's top player by the fans, and their decision was backed up by coach Gary Moorby. "Phil was a well deserved winner of the award. He took on a lot of responsibility last season, particularly in the absence of jason Ramshaw, and led by example.

"He is not only a superb player, he has been a tremendous servant to the club over the years," Moorby said.

Simeon Hoyle was voted Players' Player after stepping into Ramshaw's shoes.

Moorby said: "I think he was the find of the NFP last season and has gone from strength to strength. He also has a super attitude, and with the help of Jason has continued to develop."

Matty Firth was named Most Improved Player, an award which was made by the coaching staff.

"Matty is a very important cog in the wheel, and although quite a number of players could have got this award we thought he had shown continued improvement throughout the season.

"He performed very well last year, and I think he is going to be very important in the years to come," Moorby said.

Matthew Steele was the Young Player of the Year after showing great maturity. "He was just 17-years-old when he stepped into a struggling side and has become a shining example to all the young players coming through the Academy."

The Clubman of the Year award went to sponsors John and Maggie Edwards, of MCC AutoCentres, who stepped in as main sponsors when the club was resurrected only weeks before the start of the season.

They are also genuine fans of the club spending as much time on the terraces as in the VIP lounge. They are also the driving force behind the new Cowling Harlequin amateur club and previously backed Keighley Albion.

"They are a superb, genuine couple who have the best interests of the club at heart and have given tremendous support," Gary Moorby said.

There was also a special award from the Supporters Club for directors Neil Spencer and Colin Farrar who rescued the club from the threat of oblivion last year.

"It was a total surprise and very much appreciated," Mr Spencer said. "We have done what we felt was needed and it is good to see that people agree with us.

"We all knew this first year was going to be tough and it was just a case of survival, but we have actually managed to turn in a small profit. It is minimal, but it shows we are going in the right direction.

"We have to continue to be very careful with the finances, but now people are starting to come back and give us their support. the feel-good factor has returned to the players and throughout the club," Mr Spencer said.

Escalator company KONE is to be the main shirt sponsor for next season with replica shirts due to go on sale in time for the first match. "Anyone can reserve their shirt in time for Christmas and they will be issued with a voucher," said marketing manager Julie Spencer.

Season tickets for the coming season got on sale on Wednesday and cost £96 - equal to two free games. Stand season tickets are £120. Admission charges will be £8 for adults, £4 for OAP's and £2 for juniors.

n The club is also looking for someone to take on the job of editing the club's matchday programme.

"Dave Baldwin did a great job last year and is prepared to continue to contribute, but he is unable to continue as editor," Julie said.