As you all know by now Liam Kelly was voted by the membership of the Independent Saints Supporters' Club as the Player of the Season for 2000/01. Liam and IS Goal of the Season winner, Robbie Griffin were presented with their awards by two Independent Saints memebers prior to the kick off at the Saints first league outing this season v. Galway United.
Liam received a beautiful engraved trophy generously donated by our Awards sponsor First Active. Robbie received a similar engraved trophy bought by Independent Saints from club funds. Photos of the presentation will appear here on IS Online as soon as we have them!
Liam had this reaction to the Independent Saints award,
"I was absolutely thrilled to receive the Independent Saints Player of the Year award before the game on Friday. I didn't know they had that planned until I came out before the game. It's a great honour for me personally to receive such an award, but it's a team game and I'd like to say a special thanks to all the players and staff too, because you dont win anything on your own. Again our supporters were unbelievable on Friday, and I'm very proud to receive a fabulous trophy from very special supporters. The trophy is sitting proudly at home with my Junior Saints Player of the Year and the Club Player of the Year trophies from last year. But last year is gone now and I'll be working harder than ever to do even better this year, once I get my place back in the team!!!"
Independent saints were also delighted that Liam maintained the newly established tradition at Richer of every Independent Saints Award winner scoring in the game at which their award presentation is made!
Liam had this to say about the goal:
Thankfully I was brought on with 30 mins to go, as I was itching to get off the bench to get some of the action.....With 10 minutes to go, I got on the end of a bad back pass and managed to lob the ball over the keeper and into the net. After being left out, to come on and score was some feeling, I have to say that I enjoyed that goal as much as any I've scored in Richmond (except maybe the 2 against Shels!). I thought the atmosphere was electric, with all our supporters being just in the two stands it really created a great atmosphere, hopefully it will be even better this week in Tolka, as our supporters normally light up the place when we're there!"
Previous Independent Saints Award winners
