Frickley Athletic hand out player of year awards after 2025-26 season ends
With their season over Frickley Athletic have looked back on a campaign that contained several highs and lows as they recovered from a shaky start to secure their spot in the Macron NCE League’s top flight for another year.
Although the team only finished in 15th place in the Premier Division they did show real signs of progress following the appointment of former Football League player Martyn Woolford as manager and are hoping for some summer stability now to help them aim higher next term.
In their look back to the 2025-26 season the club held its presentation night with awards handed out to the players chosen as the top performers.
Supporters player of the year was consistent defender Harry Gagen, who made 37 appearances in the 2025-26 campaign, and has already signed on for another year at Westfield Lane.
Winning the players’ choice for player of the year was wide forward Lucas Robinson who chipped in with some crucial goals, scoring 12 times in 39 appearances to end as the club’s top scorer.
In their look back to the season just finished the Frickley board sent out a message to supporters in which they outlined developments, hopes for the future and thanked everyone who has helped out at the club.
It said: “Twelve months ago we set ourselves a target of increasing attendances at the Wezzie and we currently stand at 20 per cent up on the season previous, helped by an unbelievable crowd over the Christmas period.
"Off the field, we strive to be as self sustainable as possible and are always looking at ways to make the club more efficient. With this we’ve seen our new LED floodlights installed among other projects being explored to attempt to reduce energy costs.
"Running a football club does have a lot of challenges and the price of gas and electricity especially just keeps going up and up!
"On the field, we obviously saw a change in management during the season. We’re delighted that Martyn and his team have no intentions of going anywhere and they are on with making plans for next year’s playing squad.
"I’m sure the supporters, just like ourselves, would have liked to have had a few relaxing weeks without looking over our shoulders but you don’t always get what you want in football. We did achieve our highest league finish in the NCEL.
"Rest assured, we are looking to push ourselves next year in all aspects and give it a go at the top end but we’ll always be mindful of living within our means and won’t put the club in jeopardy doing so.
"There’s plenty of work lined up over the close season both on and off the pitch with work on certain areas of the Wezzie part of this. As always, our volunteer days will be happening and any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
"If you’d be interested in joining the club we have a wide range of opportunities available both match and non match day roles. Get in touch for more information.”
Goalkeeper Will Sykes, who made his 50th Frickley appearance in the last game of the season, will not be staying with the club after leaving due to him moving to Newcastle.