ESPFA REWIND 2022/23

Jul 2, 20236 min read

Updated: Jul 4, 2024

The ESPFA's ninth year has come to a close and once again it was another successful period.

We take a look at everything that has happend in the last 10 months, starting with the ESPFA Awards Show.

Sunday 2nd July saw the fourth annual ESPFA Awards Show streamed live on the ESPFA YouTube channel.

The awards is a celebration of the hard work and dedication that the ESPFA students have put in over the past academic year and numerous awards were handed out to recognise the student's achievements both in the classroom and on the pitch.

Tutors and coaches from all the regions and player pathway partner clubs within ESPFA’s two regional divisions (North, and Midlands) nominated their student and player of the year.

REGION (CLUB) STUDENT AND PLAYER OF THE YEAR

ESPFA NORTH DIVISION TEAM OF THE YEAR

In goal ESPFA Lancashire’s LEWIS JENKINSON was key to his sides run to the ESPFA Cup Final and made some vital saves in the inter-league game against Port Vale.

JORDAN HARDY’S consistent performances for ESPFA Cheshire with Runcorn Linnets sees him included alongside his teammate WILL FAULKNER who has been a rock at the back for the Linnets and in the inter-league game.

Another inter-league alumni RYAN HUNT is awarded a spot in the defence for his performances this season with JENSON BIRD completing the back four, his inclusion is no surprise after being named the best player in the best team this season.

In midfield ZACH WILLIAMS’s 12 goals were vital to Witton Albion’s success, no more so than his brace in the National Grand Final and he sits alongside his ESPFA Cheshire teammate ISAAC SHAW. The skipper went one better with 13 goals with his season concluded with lifting the ESPFA trophy.

Completing the midfield trio is ESPFA Greater Manchester’s JUNIOR PATRICK, his performances for Mossley AFC earn him a place in the team of the year.

Goals, goals, goals is what you can describe the front trio with an amazing 65 between them. Firstly on the right, CALVIN HADDOCK for ESPFA Lancashire. His 17 strikes for Skelmersdale United were key including a sweet strike in the ESPFA Cup final to bring his side back into the game.

On the left, ESPFA West Yorkshire second year student KEEL DEL-GRANDE’S 17 goals were crucial for Ossett United’s deep run in the ESPFA Cup.

Last but not least, with 30 goals, the final inclusion in the team of the year, leading the front line is ESPFA Cheshire’s ADAM MOSELEY for the second successive season.

ESPFA NORTH DIVISION PLAYER OF THE YEAR

All 11 students that have been selected have all showcased their ability and potential on a weekly basis throughout the season, but only one can be crowned the best player and that accolade goes to goalscoring hot shot ADAM MOSELEY of ESPFA Cheshire for his performances for divisional runners-up Runcorn Linnets. Congratulations Adam!

ESPFA MIDLANDS DIVISION TEAM OF THE YEAR

For the second season in succession, ESPFA Derbyshire goalkeeper BOBBY TAYLOR is the goalkeeper of the year for his performances for divisional winners Belper Town and alongside right back LEIGHTON THOMAS, contributed to the Nailers having the best defensive record in the Midlands division. Leighton also became the 85th ESPFA football graduate when he made his debut for the first team in December to cap off an excellent first year.

Staffordshire’s player of the year JACK HORTON is included and is recognised for the third time this season after his player of the year and inter-league call up accolades.

First year ESPFA Derbyshire student MOJEED IPAYE is a no-nonsense centre half and his performances have been key for Mickleover FC Black’s deep run in the league and cup.

Completing the defence is the Skipper from our ESPFA West Midlands programme. Captain of the Rushall Olympic Amber and the inter-league teams who lifted the ESPFA Cup in May - COBIE HODGKISS.

In midfield, Cobie’s teammate GIOVANNI LWANDO was named player of the half term in three out of the four awards and his inclusion is a no brainer for a player who has consistently performed throughout the year.

Alongside him, are three students named as their respective teams players of the year. Firstly, staying at Rushall, this time for the Black team is LEE MAYNE, a skilful attacker who was one of the star performances in the inter-league game against Port Vale.

It is familiar territory for ESPFA Derbyshire’s OLI CASS. His performances for Mickleover FC Red this season sees him included in the team of the year for the second year running.

Completing the midfield is PHELIX FOUNTAIN from ESPFA Nottinghamshire with Carlton Town. Included in the first team set up towards the end of the season, the young midfielder will be hoping to take that next step up when he leaves the ESPFA.

Up top, it’s a ESPFA Derbyshire double. Firstly EWAN SUTHERILL as Midlands golden boot winner is an inevitable selection and alongside him is CHRIS BITSHUANGU, the first year student that represented Mickleover FC Black this season.

ESPFA MIDLANDS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

This winner has been a rock in defence for the cup winners ESPFA West Midlands for his performances for Rushall Olympic Amber. His leadership has stood out and he received the most player of the week nominations in the Midlands division after another successful year. Congratulations to ESPFA Midlands division player of the year - COBIE HODGKISS.

ESPFA NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR

With so much talent across the North and Midlands Team of the year, deciding the final national team of the year was yet another tough decision. After careful deliberation, here is your ESPFA National Team of the Year.

Bobby Taylor - ESPFA Derbyshire (representing Belper Town)
Leighton Thomas - ESPFA Derbyshire (representing Belper Town)
Cobie Hodgkiss - ESPFA West Midlands (representing Rushall Olympic)
Ryan Hunt - ESPFA Lancashire (representing Skelmersdale United)
Jenson Bird - ESPFA Cheshire (representing Witton Albion)
Mojeed Ipaye - ESPFA Derbyshire (representing Mickleover FC)
Isaac Shaw - ESPFA Cheshire (representing Witton Albion)
Lee Mayne - ESPFA West Midlands (representing Rushall Olympic)
Gio Lwando - ESPFA West Midlands (representing Rushall Olympic)
Adam Moseley - ESPFA Cheshire (representing Runcorn Linnets)
Ewan Sutherill - ESPFA Derbyshire (representing Belper Town)

ESPFA NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

What more can be said for this second-year ESPFA Cheshire student. 30 goals for the Academy, a first team debut for the Linnets and 39 appearances in semi-professional football for both Runcorn Linnets and on loan at Barnton FC with a further 5 senior goals including his first hat-trick. These accolades alongside his inclusion in the inter-league team where he scored the ESPFA’s only goal is the reason why ADAM MOSELEY is named the ESPFA national player of the year.

ESPFA NORTH DIVISION GOLDEN BOOT

The winner of the ‘Golden Boot’ for the North Division once again goes to ESPFA Cheshire’s ADAM MOSELEY. His 30 goals for Runcorn Linnets, included five hat-tricks with his final tally 12 more than his nearest rival. Congratulations to Adam for his fourth award of the season.

ESPFA MIDLANDS DIVISION GOLDEN BOOT

The winner of the Midlands Division ‘Golden Boot’ is a first-year student who has terrified defenders with his pace, strength and eye for goal and will be one of the favourites to win the award in his second year next season. Congratulations to ESPFA Derbyshire’s EWAN SUTHERILL, his 17 goals for Belper Town were key to the Nailers winning the division on goal difference. Well done Ewan!

ESPFA NATIONAL GOLDEN BOOT

Picking up his fifth award of the year, ESPFA Cheshire’s ADAM MOSELEY takes home the National ‘Golden Boot’ for his 30 goals for Runcorn Linnets, taking his ESPFA tally over the two seasons to 53!