Northampton Saints - News : Carlos wins Saints Player of the Year award in his first season at Franklin's Gardens

8 May 2006, 5:08 pm

Carlos wins Saints Player of the Year award in his first season at Franklin's Gardens

Deserving winner - Carlos Spencer

Fly-half Carlos Spencer collected the Northampton Saints� Player of the Year award tonight following a landslide vote by supporters. New to this season, Spencer had obviously done enough to impress during his first nine months with the club as the votes came in from the website, match day ballot boxes and the Chronicle and Echo. Spencer left lock Damien Browne and co-captain Bruce Reihana in his wake in second and third places respectively.

Commenting on Spencer�s award, sponsored by Persimmon, and his first season at Saints, head coach Paul Grayson said: �Carlos fully deserves this award. He is one of the most talented players to have ever picked up a rugby ball but is also a hard worker who has started all but two games this season and has made a full contribution to the way this club wants to play rugby.�

Carlos collects his award from Wesley Suter from Steffans, Mark Edwards, editor of the Chronicle & Echo, and Sue Blackman of Persimmon

Other award winners of the night were Dylan Hartley and Sean Lamont.

Hartley won Young Player of the Year, sponsored by Hasmead, having recorded the highest number of first team appearances and winning the Grand Slam with the England U21s squad this season.

Dylan receives his award from John Todd of Hasmead plc

Academy director James Sinclair said: �Dylan has worked really hard this year and was rewarded for his efforts with his first team appearances. He has also added to his international honours with the England U21s and we were delighted that he helped them to a Grand Slam win in the Six Nations. Dylan has progressed up to the professional squad next season and we hope to see even better things from him in 2006/07.�

Lamont�s fourth try against Saracens was voted as the Try of the Season, sponsored by Pro-cut International.

Sean with Dave Smith of Pro-cut International

The event, sponsored by Corus Hotels, was attended by 500 guests and the entire first team squad. The master of ceremonies was Ian Robertson and the guest speaker was Lions and Ireland back-rower Fergus Slattery.

Northampton Saints head groundsman and former captain and coach David Powell was awarded Clubman of the Year, sponsored by Network New Media.

David and MC Ian Robertson

Absent from the evening, was Northampton Saints head of sales Annmaire Kulakowski, w was involved in car accident 10 days ago. Annie would like to pass on her thanks to all the supporters and sponsors who have called her and sent her text messages, cards and flowers during the last week.