Macclesfield FC’s Player of the Year awards were hosted by Bar Twenty Seven on Sunday afternoon, here’s a recap of events, featuring the winners of each award.
Hundreds gathered to reflect on the events of the 2025/26 Enterprise National League North season and celebrate the winners of each award presented during the ceremony.
The evening began with a speech from Chairman Rob Smethurst, expressing his thanks to everyone associated with Macclesfield FC for their hard work and support this season.
A moment of reflection followed as we paid tribute to the late Ethan McLeod, who we lost in devastating circumstances in December on the return journey from that fateful night’s fixture away at Bedford Town.
Ethan will always be remembered by everyone at Macclesfield FC as a lovely young man with immense potential and an incredible desire and determination to succeed, taken far too soon from us all. Our thoughts remain with his family and friends and his legacy will live on prominently here at Macclesfield.
After a minute’s applause in remembrance of Ethan, observed impeccably by everyone in attendance, a somber moment was followed after a suitable duration by the beginning of the awards ceremony.
The first award of the evening was our Sponsors Player of the Year, determined by the Club’s collective commercial family, who had narrowed it down to a shortlist of three names who had been voted for most often. In third place was Sam Heathcote, in second was Luke Duffy, but the winner was Paul Dawson!
Next up was our Directors’ Player of the Year, previewed by Rob Smethurst and as voted by our Board, their vote also went to Paul Dawson!
The third award to be presented was the Club’s golden boot, recognising the Silkmen’s top scorers in all competitions. Third in line was D’Mani Mellor with twelve goals, Paul Dawson was a close second with fourteen, but the winner by one goal with fifteen was Danny Elliott!
Goal of the season followed, as voted by the fans, the third most popular goal was Luke Duffy’s winning strike late on in the play-off eliminator at home to Chester, the second best was judged to be Paul Dawson’s header against Crystal Palace in the Third Round of the Emirates FA Cup, but the goal of the season deservedly went to James Edmondson for his wonder-strike against Slough Town in the previous round, finding the top corner from distance to restore the Silkmen’s lead in extra-time.
The special recognition award was then presented to Lewis Fensome, predominantly for recently surpassing the all-time Macclesfield FC appearance record, featuring 188 times in a blue shirt.
Young Player of the Year was next up, decided by Manager John Rooney, who took the mic for a moment to again give his thanks to everyone for their efforts this season, and after much deliberation, presented the award to James Edmondson for another consistently excellent season on loan from EFL Championship side Blackburn Rovers.
The squad then had their say for the Players’ Player of the Year, as voted by their team-mates, in joint third place was Sam Heathcote and James Edmondson, second was Captain Paul Dawson but the player’s winner was Luke Duffy, after another outstanding season for the Silkmen for our number eleven.
Manager’s Player of the Year was the penultimate award of the evening, which Rooney presented to his Captain for an all round superb season, leading from the front, Paul Dawson!
The night’s final award was for the all-important Player of the Year, organised by the Silkmen Supporters Trust and voted for by the Silkmen faithful, it was an extremely close vote with two players tied in third place, James Edmondson and Sam Heathcote, in second was Player’s Player of the Year Luke Duffy, but the winner of the overall Player of the Year was deservedly announced as Club Captain Paul Dawson.
At the conclusion of the awards ceremony came a final thank you to the Silkmen faithful for their sensational support all season long, followed by a big thanks to the staff and players for all their hard work over the course of the 2025/26 season and were eventually encouraged, along with all in attendance to let their hair down and enjoy the remainder of the evening, accompanied by music, drinks and a hot buffet resulting in a great time had by all.
Award winners
Sponsors POTY – Paul Dawson
Directors POTY – Paul Dawson
Golden Boot – Danny Elliott
Goal of the Season – James Edmondson (vs Slough Town)
Special Recognition – Lewis Fensome (All time record appearances)
Young POTY – James Edmondson
Players POTY – Luke Duffy
Manager’s POTY – Paul Dawson
POTY – Paul Dawson
