2003/04 Youth & Reserve Awards

Although they may not received the same level of coverage or appreciation at times as some of the first team players, the contribution made by the young men who turn out week after week in Ards colours at a lower level is rightly recognised at the end of every season.

Second team Player of the Year Andrew Fox

This season Ards operated three teams below senior level and naturally those sides had their own stars. The Seconds team endured a difficult year in the Reserve League, playing their 'home' games in Tyrone at the base of Coagh United. The side was one of the most inexperienced in the division and at times the results were very disheartening.

However there were positives to be looked at as Shane Reddish saw fit to hand debuts to four regular reserve players towards the end of the season. The Seconds Player of the Year also saw his share of first team action, but it was his shining performances during difficult times for the seconds string that earned goalkeeper Andrew Fox his award.

The Ards Colts who play at under 18 level in the IFL Youth League enjoyed one of their best seasons in quite a few years. A strong start to the campaign saw the side jostle for top spot and hang in around that area for the majority of the season.

Colts award winner Johnny McCreery

In the end that turned out to be a false position as the other sides caught up with their matches and the table eventually leveled out to leave Ards in eighth spot. The Player of the Year award went to Johnny McCreery, who had a terrific season in midfield.

The Under 16s had a fair bit to live up to in their second season of operation having performed strongly in the league and reached a cup final the year before.

There were some good performances and useful results but victories against the top sides were pretty elusive. The team can of course be proud of holding the International Schoolboys team to a scoreless draw in a mid-season friendly. When it came to the Player of the Season, two stars could not be separated and so the prize was shared by striker Robert Knox and defender Andy James.

Andy James

Robert Knox