Upminster Daggers - Dagenham and Redbridge FC Fan Site

The decision was made using a top 3 voting system.  8 of us voted for the top 3, with each third place vote being worth one point, each second place vote being worth two points, and each first place vote being worth 3 points.  

Unlike last year, there were not many people who picked up votes!!!  Whereas last year there were numerous candidates, this year only 4 people picked up any votes at all.  This is probably a reflection on a few things.  Some of our better players like last year's winner Paul Benson, Shane Huke, and last year's runner up Danny Foster have missed  large parts of the season through injury.  Other players such as Peter Gain and Mark Arber have only been with us for the last 3 months, while some like Anwar Uddin have had mixed seasons and have only performed to their potential in the second half of the season.  Others have just found the jump to League Two a little to much, and have struggled to make an impact.

So, the players who received the votes were:

4TH PLACE - GLEN SOUTHAM - 4 POINTS
For the first half of the season Glen was our best outfield player.  He was always looking to create things, had bundles of energy and looked like he was enjoying life in League Two.  His second half performance at Chesterfield was outstanding, as was his effort in the cup defeat at Southend.  Has dropped off a little bit in the last few weeks, as the strain of a long season has kicked in, but has still overall been fantastic.

3RD PLACE - SCOTT GRIFFITHS - 10 POINTS
After a shaky first few weeks of the season, including some time on the treatment table, Scott has put in some fine performances.  Always energetic, always looking urgent, always willing to take responsibility and try and make things happen.  Outstanding in the air for someone of his size, strong in the tackle and powerful going forward.  Has sometimes looked our most likely source of creativity going forward, and his run and cross at Bradford helped to secure a memorable win.  Being in his early 20s Scott will surely have a career at a higher level before long??

2ND PLACE - TONY ROBERTS - 16 POINTS
There was talk in some sections at the start of the season that we needed a new keeper!!! Robbo has since put those discussions to bed!! Outstanding all season, he has helped us to pick up points we might otherwise have lost out on.  His second half performance at Brentford and his overall performance as Chesterfield laid siege to the Daggers goal in October spring to mind.  His kicking can still be frustrating, his banter is always funny.  Robbo is a true Daggers legend.

WINNER - BEN STREVENS - 18 POINTS
To believe certain sections of the Daggers crowd questioned Strevs ability early in the season!! Strevs has answered the critics in the best possible way.  With Paul Benson injured, Chris Moore having turned rubbish, John Nurse failing to live up to the billing and Jamie T out of favour, the striking responsibilities have fallen entirely on Strevs.  After a slow start he has burst into life since December time.  Scoring in 4 of the 5 games the Daggers won in succession in Feb his performances have gone along way to helping the Daggers near survival.  His partnership with John Nurse in the cup defeat at Southend was also a notable one, the two of them pulling the League One side's defence all over the place for 90 minutes.  Not the quickest of foot, but quick of mind and always working hard, he could have had a couple more goals on his tally had he taken chances at Wrexham and Morecambe.  However, it is hard to criticise someone who has taken on so much for the side in the season.  A worthy winner.