GEORGE Higgins claimed a double as Portland Town celebrated their annual awards night at the George Inn to a packed crowd of more than 50.

Higgins won both young player of the season and manager’s player of the season for the first team, while Jordan Butler picked up top goalscorer with 23 goals.

Club owner Andy Barber said: “It was probably the best one we have had for a long time. The George was packed. I want to thank the George for letting us use their facilities and the buffet they laid on was the best ever.”

Proceedings kicked off with the club’s veterans’ manager Alex Counter handing out five awards including both player’s player and manager’s player to Shane Maguire. Next up was Rich Johnson of the club’s A team and it was Luke Atkins with a brace of trophies again for players’ player and manager’s player, while Luke Moorley scooped the goal of the season award.

Reserves boss Paul Barber was next up and the club’s top goalscorer Danny Sheppard, who scored 39 goals last season, cleaned up winning three of the four awards on offer.

The first team was next up with Kieron Neilson-Howes doing the honours, with Higgins and Butler claiming their awards and Neilson-Howes later winning the coveted managers’ manager award.

Finally the club awards were announced by Barber, as best newcomer went to Butler while Danny Clifford won the young player of the season award.

Mike Orchard won the best goalkeeper in a decade award while the big one and a place on the town’s honours board was unanimously greeted with a resounding round of applause for Maguire.

ROLL OF HONOUR

First team: Top goal scorer Jordan Butler, Players’ player: Kev Paice, Goal of the season: Jon Cameron, Young player of the season: George Higgins, Manager’s player of the season: George Higgins.

Reserves: Top goalscorer Danny Sheppard, Player’s player Danny Sheppard, Most influential: Rich Limm, Manager’s player of the season Danny Sheppard.

A team: Best performance: Josh Rooks, Players’ player: Luke Atkins, Goal of the season: Luke Moorley, Manager’s player of the season: Luke Atkins.

Veterans: Top goal scorer: Alex Counter, Players’ player: Shane Maguire, Goal of the season: Colin Judge, Manager’s player of the season: Shane Maguire, Best newcomer: Paul Gould.

Club awards: Best goalkeeper: Mike Orchard, Best newcomer: Jordan Butler, Top goal scorer: Danny Sheppard with 39, Most appearances: Shane Maguire, Most appreciated: Colin Judge, Manager’s manager: Kieron Neilson-Howes, Young player for the season: Danny Clifford, Portland Town player of the season Shane Maguire.