Shotts celebrate top stars at end of season awards in promotion year

Shotts Bon Accord celebrated their stellar season on Saturday at their player of the year awards.

Hot on the heels of securing a second place finish in the West of Scotland First Division with a 0-0 draw at home to Blantyre Victoria, the club crowned their star performers.

Midfielder Jack Gordon won overall player of the year, goalkeeper Sandy Thomson won manager’s player of the year, while midfielder Paul McGeough scooped players’ player of the year.

Gordon also won the supporters’ player of the year, defender Robbie Torrance was committee player of the year, academy player of the year was midfielder and club captain Ally Martin, while striker Ben Richford scooped the young player of the year.

Goal of the season was won by midfielder Adam Hunter for his stunning 40-yard strike against Whittletts Victoria in a 4-2 win in April.

Shotts boss John McKeown spoke to most of his players on the evening and has an agreement that they’re sticking around for their campaign in the top flight next season.

He said: “Most of them are staying next season, which is great.

“We had a player of the year night on Saturday after our wee promotion party, and all our guys are quite determined they’re going to stay around and give the Premier league a bash.

“Indications are that we’ve signed about a dozen now of the current squad, and the other ones, the more experienced guys, I spoke to on Saturday night and they’re agreeing to stay as well, so it’s all good.”

McKeown knows his players will be getting phone calls with bigger-money offers elsewhere after such an impressive campaign with one of the smallest budgets in the league.

But he says that is not what is motivating his squad.

He added: “There are teams sniffing about them, as you would