The Sussex Thunder saw out their 2008 Division 1 Championship winning season in style with their end of season Awards dinner at the New Madeira Hotel on Brighton seafront. Close on 100 guests sat down to enjoy the dinner, speeches and cabaret. Everybody was greeted at the door with a glass of champagne and shown to the bar area. When all were present the doors to the adjoining dining area were opened to reveal the room decorated in the clubs colours and banners proclaiming the team’s victory over the Redditch Arrows at the Keepmoat in September.

A sumptuous feast washed down with ample quantities of wine set the tone for the rest of the evening.

Club Chairman Tony Miller welcomed everybody to the evening and paid thanks to everybody involved with the team for their efforts during the season. The cabaret was provided by the Thunder’s version of Ant & Dec, Paul Robinson & Paul McIntosh, this was greeted with rapturous applause especially a piece about Head Coach Len Scott.

The awards were presented by Coach Scott with each award being preceded with a running commentary by Chairman Miller.
The two main awards of the evening, the Team MVP, went to middle linebacker and defensive lynchpin Paul Nixon, and the Player’s Player of the Year went to defensive lineman and long time Thunder veteran Kes Longhurst.

The full list of awards was:

• Team MVP – Paul Nixon
• Players Player – Kes Longhurst
• Offensive MVP – Chris Lampey (Running Back)
• Defensive MVP – Andre Clarke (Linebacker/DB)
• Special Teams MVP – Chris “Chesney” Percival (Just about everything on special teams)
• Lineman of the Year – Paul McIntosh
• Rookie of the Year – Anthony Morrison (Defensive End)
• Most Improved Player – Steve Skinns (Offensive Line)
• Spirit of Thunder – Kes Longhurst (Defensive Line)
• Head Coaches Award – Carlos Gomes (Safety/Linebacker)
• Chairman’s Award – Bill Hazeltine (Defensive Line)

The team’s cheerleaders, the Lightning, awarded the title of Cheerie’s man of the Year to linebacker Adrian Teague for services beyond the call of duty, the award taking the shape of a framed & signed pair of cheerleader’s underwear.

The award for Team Stat Whore went to Dave Lawrey, this was presented by the club stats team, Jan & Steve Pester.

Guest of honour for the evening was former running back Andy Smythe. In 2005 Andy rushed for 1541 yards and 20 touchdowns, he lead the league in yardage, including three 200 yard plus games and setting a club single game record of 260 yards against the Maidstone Pumas. In recognition of his achievements at the Thunder the club retired his #26 jersey.

After the presentations, everybody retired to the private VIP lounge in the clubs new sponsors Funky Fish club.

A great night was had by all thanks to all the effort put in by Anne Pinchin & Jen Tarjanyi in organising the evening..

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