Helensburgh Hockey Club celebrated a season to remember at their James Bond themed awards dinner on Saturday.

While the West District trophies – including Helensburgh’s Division Two championship prize, the club’s first league win in 35 years – weren’t handed out until this week, that didn’t stop the Burgh players, officials and supporters handing out the club’s 10 individual awards for the 2017-18 season were handed out.

Host Gordon Black began by showing a selection of pictures and videos of the club and its members over the season –including some interesting dancing from outgoing club captain Andy Richardson – before presenting Alan Bowman with the award for the 3rd XI’s leading goalscorer.

Captains Matt Payne and Gavin McWilliam presented Sean Murphy and Jonathan Cox with the 2nd and 1st XI top goal scorer prizes respectively, while the new award for the indoor player of the year was given to Alan Stuart by club vice-president Richard Schooling.

Alan himself presented the Young Player of the Year prize, one of the most hotly-contested of the night, with five players nominated.

Daniel Dooley, Harry Green, Morgan Kelly, Hamish Johnson and Andrew Macauley were all in the running, but it was Hamish’s excellent performances in defence for the first team that brought the award home for him.

The club secretary, David McGregor, handed out the ‘most improved player of the year’ award to Morgan Kelly, who pipped older brother Arthur to the title.

The club’s volunteers were all thanked for their hard work, including the umpires, who all took home a nice bottle of gin, and Sue Cox was invited up to present the volunteer of the year award.

Sue was standing in for husband Barry, Helensburgh’s new club captain, who was off on international duty with Scotland. She presented volunteer of the year to Mark Findlay for all his efforts helping at junior training.

The two biggest awards of the night were saved until last, with outgoing club captain Andy Richardson presenting the player of the year prize.

The winner of this award is decided by the club committee, who choose someone they feel has played the best hockey, influenced the most games and been an ever-present for the season.

The four nominees this year were Alan Stuart, Gavin MacKenzie, Jonathan Cox and Brian Kennedy.

As the first team had had such an impressive season, it was a very tough decision – however Alan Stuart was chosen after some excellent performances which included 15 goals, four man-of-the-match awards, and countless assists.

Club president Brian Caulfield then presented the players’ player of the year award, and after thanking all those involved in making the season, and the awards night, so special, handed the prize to Alan Stuart for his massive impact on the first XI’s league title win.

The night’s final award, for services to the club, was presented by last year’s winner, John Friel, to club stalwart Jesse Owens, who has played, umpired, organised and led the club in various roles for more than 30 years.

Jesse was unfortunately unable to attend the awards ceremony, but he will receive his trophy in due course.