The number eight picked up two man of the match awards from the four matches played in the month, and earned plenty of plaudits from supporters and pundits alike. This has been reflected in the balance of the voting, with Dickinson receiving 72 percent of votes cast through the club’s website.
Dickinson will receive a TW Steel watch, courtesy of Steffans Northampton.
Joining him will be fellow number eight GJ Van Velze, who has been named as the TW Steel Clubman of the Month. This award, chosen by the Saints coaches, rewards the work that is done away from the public eye and the contributions that are made during the week. Van Velze receives a bottle of champagne.
Van Velze has been the Wanderers’ top try scorer in the Aviva ‘A’ League campaign, and director of rugby Jim Mallinder says that the South African has shown his leadership skills and commitment working with the club’s younger players.
“Although he hasn’t been in the first team squad regularly at the start of the season GJ has contributed a great deal behind the scenes in September,” he commented. “He has been an important player in the Wanderers’ good start to the Aviva ‘A’ League campaign and played a full role in training and in our team meetings and analysis sessions.
“GJ thoroughly deserves his award, as does Sam Dickinson. Sam was superb throughout September, and shown why we kept our faith in him during his injury troubles last season. It’s easy to forget that he has only played a handful of games in the Aviva Premiership, but he has shown that he can succeed at this level.
“I’m delighted that this has been recognised by the Saints supporters, and hope that this is just the beginning for him.”
Dickinson and Van Velze will receive their awards at Steffans Northampton tomorrow (Wednesday, October 9th) at 2pm.
The club also announced that Nic Cordingley, who was one of the near one thousand supporters who voted, has won the £50 voucher for Steffans Northampton.
