Hillians Presentation Evening 2024/25

After a hugely successful season Burgess Hill Town FC held their Presentation Evening at the HomeCall Carpets Community Stadium on Friday night as Kieran Rowe completed another double of awards for the second successive season.

The Clubhouse was packed as it turned into a promotion party following the Hillians dramatic play-off final win over Sittingbourne that secured Isthmian Premier football in Mid Sussex seven days before.

Chairman David Corney opened the evening chatting about the season and the future of the Club whilst giving shoutouts to all the volunteers and sponsors and thanking them for their support over the season as well as talking about the newly re-named Young Player of the Year Award now becoming the Peter Miles Young Player of the Year Award in honour of the late great man. Flowers were presented to three hardworking people within the Club those being Nat Ellis, Nicola Lurring and Lynne Clingo.

The first award of the evening was The Jack Lake Shield – Clubperson of the Year Award which was won by the very hardworking Lynda Shindler who has given hours of time volunteering and getting involved wherever needed behind the scenes.

The Under 18’s were first up with their awards. The County 18’s managed by Berty Oliva were first up. Jona Maglente won the Player of the Year whilst Thomas Sekyere was awarded the Player’s Player of the Year.

The Isthmian Under 18’s, managed by Adie Clayton, Berty Oliva and Ross Johnson saw Fletcher Fane complete a double as he won the U18’s Player of the Year and Players Player of the Year. It has been a great season for them where they finished 4th in the Isthmian U18 Youth League and had an incredible run in the FA Youth Cup reaching the third round proper for the first time in the Club’s history.

The women’s team have had a fantastic season and it was confirmed by the league on the night that they had been crowned league champions to add to the celebrations. Top scorer Brogan Kirk was awarded Player of the Year whilst Chloe Chesworth picked up the Players Player of the Year. The supporters voted for Ellie Livingstone as their Player of the Year. Well done to Tom Clingo and his management team and players for a brilliantly successful season.

The first team awards saw Reggie Ward pick up the newly named Peter Miles Young Player of the Year Award and he was awarded the trophy by one of Peter’s sons, Alan, who came down for the evening.

Kieran Rowe completed a double as he won the Players Player of the Year and the First Team Player of the year after another brilliant season at Leylands Park.

Goalkeeper Slav Huk won the supporters player of the year and was presented his award by Matty MacVicar who has been an ever present supporting the Hillians this year.

On the evening skipper Brannon O’Neill’s strike versus Deal Town at home was voted as the goal of the season from 10 choices by everyone in the room and he was presented with a bottle of Champagne.

Managers Gary Mansell and Jay Lovett addressed the crowd thanking their staff, our brilliant owners, the players, the volunteers and of course the brilliant supporters but a big shout out to both of them who made this all happen. Well done Gary and Jay for creating history at BHTFC.

The final award of the evening saw vice-chairman John Goss pick up the John Buck Special Achievement Award. Gossy is an ever-present at the ground and gives so much time for free doing a range of jobs at Leylands Park. Well done John.

It was announced on the evening that Tommy Manneh, who played for the Hillians from 1979-1986 and for the last five years has been volunteering and heading up the Monday Club Volunteers, was going to be the new President of Burgess Hill Town FC. Many congratulations Tommy.

BHTFC Season Summary Video: