The night of the Micks at SMSE - Player Of The Year Award(s)

[JimN]

The July meeting of SMSE (the 82nd regular meeting of the club) was marked by a severe outbreak of taking the mick when - much to his own surprise and shock - Mick Annis was awarded the coveted award for SMSE Player Of The Year 2010. The trophy (actually, a new one each time) is awarded annually in July to the player who has made the most progress in the club year (August-July).

Members had already heard Mick play storming versions of Tales Of A Raggy Tramline and Wonderful Land during the first half of the club night's programme and most agreed that Mick had made great strides in his playing since his first appearance at the club in August 2003.

After the mid-evening break, long-time punter (and more recently, guitarist) Micky "Marvin" Knight was asked by Spence to accompany him on one of Spence's compositions: Zanzibar. As the coda of the tune faded away, echoing around the rear function room of the Temple Farm WMC, Jim, Mike Annis and Mike Beer (Mike being last year's POTY) approached the stage and Mike announced the award of a one-off award - to Micky Knight - in recognition of the surprise and delight he had brought to the club when it emerged that he was a rhythm guitarist of some distinction. To think: for five years or so, we didn't even know he played the guitar!

Micky was already a great rhythm player when he "came out" so we could hardly make the claim that he was "much improved". But SMSE (Spencer Scott and Jim Nugent) had wanted to honour their friend with a special award: Surprise Player Of The Year 2010. And this time, it was Micky's turn to be surprised...

Both Mick and Micky were congratulated by the past winners of the award who were present, Mike Beer and Alan Rogers.

Pictures:

Mick Annis poses proudly (if a little nervously) with his POTY 2010 trophy - the finest that Timpson's can supply...

http://tinyurl.com/33sde7o
http://tinyurl.com/36nmz9b

Micky Knight is congratulated by Mick Annis and 2009 POTY, Mike Beer:

http://tinyurl.com/33b798j

And SMSE's first Player Of The Year (2007), Alan Rogers, adds his own congratulations to an obviously delighted Micky Knight...

http://tinyurl.com/33n49yh

Congratulations to both worthy winners,

JimN and Spencer S