Saxons celebrate solid season
THE Peterborough Saxons celebrated a solid season by holding their awards night at Peterborough’s PowerLeague in Stanground on Friday 23 October, 2009.
Following promotion at the end of 2008, the Saxons found themselves competing in Division One of the British American Football League, one rung lower than the top tier in the sport, and they managed to put in a solid showing, securing their status at the same level in 2010 with a victory over the Ipswich Cardinals at RAF Alconbury, in the penultimate game of the season.
The organisation suffered a number of departures at the end of 2008 with six key players leaving the squad to play for the Coventry Jets, last year’s national champions. Those departures paved the way for a new breed of Saxons and many of the new additions as well as a couple of veterans were rewarded for their efforts at the awards night.
Amongst the winners was Darren Griffiths who was voted into the Saxons Hall of Fame. Newborough based Griffiths retired in 2009 after playing in each season of the Saxons’ existence. Over his eight year career, Griffiths played every position on the team before settling on defence where he has been a permanent fixture. He has also secured a number of sponsors for the team, allowing it to grow into one of the best run clubs in the country.
Dervan Alleyne and Adam Gumbs also scooped trophies with Alleyne taking the offensive player of the year award as well as getting the nod for special teams player of the year. Alleyene proved his big play capabilities on a number of occasions, becoming the Saxons’ main point scoring threat. He also finished the year as the starting QB and led the Saxons to the victories that kept them in division one.
Gumbs, a veteran Saxon who was named head coach’s player of the year, was another key to the offense. He proved to be one of the most reliable Saxons and a key to their recent success. This year he became the main ball carrier for the team and responded with magnificent displays.
The award also recognises his elevation to one of the team’s leaders and a player who is respected by all around him.
Offensive lineman James Hezzell walked away with the offensive line honour. Hezzell, who has been the cornerstone of the Saxons offensive line for the past eight years, solidified his position as the leader of the line and was rewarded for his dedication to the team.
One of the most deserved awards went to long serving Saxon Mark Kerr, who scooped the Saxon of the Year award. This is voted for by all members of the organisation and Kerr is a particularly deserving winner after being one of the key backroom staff members since the Saxons came to Peterborough in 2005.
Former Saxon of the Year Steve Rose said: “This award is long overdue as Mark played a massive part in things in 2005 when I received the award. It’s only appropriate the year the Saxons played at the highest level in their history he got his reward.”
Other awards went to Anthony ‘Bobby’ Amissah, most improved offensive player; Gergo Toth, most improved defensive player; Ian Barnsby, rookie of the year; Simon Poole, defensive player of the year; Mat Dean, defensive lineman of the year, and Jonathan Palmer, American player of the year and Players’ Player.