The 2016 Player of the Year Awards
Neal Ardley saluted double Player of the Year winner Paul Robinson at yesterday’s post-match presentation.
Robinson has played a key role in Wimbledon’s march to the play-offs and his contribution certainly vindicated the manager’s long pursuit of his signature last summer.
“Sometimes when you are trying to bring players in there are ups and downs and there were a few with ‘Robbo’ in the summer,” said Neal. “It was on and it was off with Portsmouth saying they wanted to keep him. You need strikers to get you goals, but you need centre-backs to stop them going in. It was a position we knew that we needed to get right.
“To get it over the line was a massive plus for us. You can see that Paul is the ultimate professional. When young players like Will Nightingale and Ryan Sweeney come into the gym they can see this guy going through a variety of exercises to keep himself fit. I am sure he has a few years left in him yet.”
The picture above shows Robinson being presented with the Player of the Year award by Maureen Batsford.
Robinson said: “To come in just before the start of the season and for the fans to vote for me as their player of the season is a massive honour. There are some great players who have had fantastic seasons and to be at the top of the list means a lot personally.”
. Full post-match reaction from Neal Ardley after Newport also features on our premium channel, along with extended highlights.Dons PlayerOlusanya are now on An interview with Paul Robinson and the thoughts of yesterday’s match-winner Toyosi
Below are the winners of our Player of the Year awards:
– Paul Robinson• The WISA Allen Batsford Player of the Year award
Young Player of the Year (Natalie Callow Memorial Trophy) – Adebayo Azeez•
Players’ Player of the Year – Barry Fuller•
Radio WDON Player of the Year – Paul Robinson•
Junior Dons Player of the Year – Lyle Taylor•
We wish to thank all Wimbledon supporters for their votes in the Player of the Year awards.
The Young Player of the Year was generously sponsored by the Womble Underground Press.
Pictures: Stuart Butcher, Pro Sports Images.