By VickyC
April 9 2003

It's that time of year again. As another season draws to a close, once again Tigers fans will be asked to put pen to paper and vote for their players of the season for 2002/3. Here we look at the main contenders for this season's accolades.

Player of the Season

Whilst things haven't gone our way this season, there are some deserving contenders for the main award. Towering amongst them has been one player that we have all taken to our hearts. Unable to get into the team at the start of the season, being kept out by Backy and Lewis, Josh was given his opportunity when the Autumn internationals came along. Despite being surrounded by rumours of an imminent departure to Newcastle, Wasps and anywhere else you’d care to mention, he took his place in the side and has proven to us all just what a class act he is.

Three successive MOTM awards and a player of the month award soon followed. Continued good form, combined with long term injury to Lewis means that Josh has continued to figure prominently in the team since Christmas. Never lacking commitment and now established as a firm favourite with the fans, his performances this season make him a worthy contender.

Martin Corry has been another of the senior players to make a big contribution to the team this year. Ignored by England, Cozza has slowly begun to recapture the form that made him, for me, one of the stars of 2001. Outstanding in the victory against Gloucester in November, never shy of hard work and totally committed to the cause, Coz has given yet another consistent series of performances this year.

Martin Johnson cannot be ignored from the running for this award. Despite continued vilification by some corners of the press (you would think that he is the devil himself when in a Tigers shirt), the big man continues to lead from the front. Whether in a Tigers shirt or wearing the red rose, a true leader and sadly not recognised for this enough. England have finally achieved the elusive Grand Slam with the inspirational Johnno at the helm.

In a season where the backs have been plagued by injury and have not been at their best, Ollie Smith has probably been the outstanding player in this department over the entire season. Gaining his first England cap recently, complete with the biggest smile at Twickenham, Ollie has given the Tigers some very solid performances, and has been right in the thick of the action.

Out of the early part of the season due to an operation on his shoulder, Geordan Murphy returned to the side late last year and immediately began to show us flashes of his genius in the badly mis-firing backs, gaining an MOTM award in his first game, followed by a player of the month award. Geordan has forced his way back into the Irish set-up and has been a prominent, and some would say inspirational, figure during their Six Nations campaign.

Young Player of the Year

Believe it or not, Ollie is still(!) young enough to be considered for this award and is the current holder.

Sam Vesty has come to prominence this season, having been thrown in at the deep end with the departure of Andy Goode and long term injury to Oz. A solid season from Sam in difficult circumstances, and a worthy contender.

Harry Ellis is another long-term injury victim who performed well at the start of the season, despite fierce competition for the #9 shirt from Tom Tierney and Jamie Hamilton.

It is also worth noting here the outstanding performance of the Under 21's this year. They have been literally in a league of their own for the whole season and we will be seeing more of this very talented group of players in the years to come as they work their way into the first XV. TT has kindly provided us with her assessment of contenders from the U21’s.

Danny Hipkiss is a classy centre, who has made a number of first team appearances, scoring in the pre-season match against Biarritz. He has put in some fine displays for the U21s during the season. Against Bath, it was the Hipkiss show – as he was everywhere in play in rucks/mauls, kept breaking out from midfield and showed a clean pair of heels. Against Bristol he used clever trickery by kicking over their defensive line to push them back.

Peter Cook, James Buckland and Michael Holford. Without any doubt the up-and-coming front row club of Cook, Buckland and Holford are the key forwards to the U21 pack. Their performances have brought England U21 call-ups. The bubbly trio pack down well and graft hard for every game. Cook was voted MOTM against London Irish as he put in a stunning all-round performance and against Saracens he was found loitering on the wing.

Holford was voted MOTM against Saracens, as he was such a powerful player, always ready for the lineout and up for the game, especially motivating other players – just what you want in a hooker. Holford also came on as a replacement for the Tiger XV against the Barbarians XV for Neil Back’s Testimonial match recently. Having scored 2 tries a-piece against London Irish, Buckland and Holford were on top form. Not to be left out, Buckland is a hard worker. All of them are ubiquitous and can interchange with other front row partners.

Outstanding Service

In his final season with the Tigers before returning to the world of tubular engineering, Darren Garforth surely deserves a mention for this award. Over the years, Darren has made a priceless contribution as an integral member of the ABC club, has been a rock in the scrum and was deservedly recognised by England at full international level. He will be missed enormously by the fans, and will be a very hard act to follow.

If anybody can prise this award away from the ABC club, then look no further than Neil Back. Backy has been a cog in the Tigers wheel for almost 13 years and deservedly gets a testimonial season for his herculean efforts for the club. A vital part of all of our championship and cup winning sides over the last 10 years; Backy's contribution to the Tigers simply cannot be measured. Written off this season as “over the hill” by the majority of our friends in the press, Backy has served them with a timely reminder that he is by no means “past it” just yet.

After 40 years service to the club, this season saw a perennial favourite hang up the microphone for the final time. Tudor Thomas has been a stalwart of the club and has given us all many years of humour as match day announcer. Loved by players and fans alike, Tudor will be sorely missed - especially in the pronunciation department!