Chesterfield’s Darikwa Lands Four Awards

Chesterfield full-back Tendayi Darikwa was the star of the show at the club’s Player of the Year awards night, picking up four awards at the sold-out event.

Darikwa was named Player of the Year – as voted for by the fans – and also Players’ Player of the Year.

Jay O’Shea picked up the Goal of the Season gong for his stunner in the Good Friday match at Yeovil Town – a strike that came at the end of a 17-pass team move as the Spireites came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Huish Park.

The Fan of the Year award went to Lesley Brentnall, who has not missed a game, home or away, for 18 years and acts as a matchday steward for True Blue Travel.

Ian Browes and Jean Roper received an Outstanding Contribution award as recognition for running Young Spireites, which is now in its tenth year.

Around 500 people attended the event, which was held in a large marquee erected in the Proact Stadium car park. Sky Sports broadcaster Nick Johnson and BBC Radio Sheffield commentator Phil Tooley were the comperes.

Those who attended were also treated to an exclusive unveiling of the new home and away shirts for next season, which were modelled by Academy Player of the Year Jake Beesley and fellow new professional Laurence Maguire.

After the awards ceremony, guests were entertained by multi-hit band The Christians, whose set included ‘Harvest for the World’, ‘Hooverville’ and ‘Words’.

Spireites chairman Dave Allen said: “It was a superbly organised event and I’d like to praise Paul Watts, Kevin Fitzgerald and Nick Johnson for putting it all together. It was the biggest Player of the Year event ever staged by the club and I think it was Premier League standard.”