ESPFA REWIND 2023/24

Jul 4, 20247 min read

Updated: Oct 23, 2024

The ESPFA's tenth anniversary year has concluded with success achieved on and off the pitch over the previous 10 months.

First up, on Tuesday 2nd July, the fifth annual ESPFA Awards Show was streamed live on the ESPFA YouTube channel.

The awards is a celebration of the hard work and dedication that the ESPFA students have put in over the past academic year/football season and numerous awards were handed out to recognise the student's achievements both in the classroom and on the pitch.

Tutors and coaches from all the regions and player pathway partner clubs within ESPFA’s two regional divisions (North, and Midlands) nominated their student and player of the year.

REGION (CLUB) PLAYER AND STUDENT OF THE YEAR

ESPFA NORTH DIVISION TEAM OF THE YEAR

In goal ESPFA Cheshire’s JENSON BARBER was a huge reason why Witton Albion conceded only eight goals in the North division and was key to their treble success.

The defence is dominated by ESPFA West Yorkshire students. Ossett United pair DAWID GRABOWSKI and BEN JACKSON are joined by Brighouse Town’s DAVID SWEJKOWSKI. Together they have been nominated 22 times as a top three player in their games and their names have appeared in the team of the week eight times.

Completing the back four is ESPFA Lancashire (Skelmersdale United’s) player of the year FINLEY WEBSTER.

Sticking with the blues, MACKENZIE HOLT has had a very successful first year on the programme, six goals, nine team of the week nominations and one of only four first years in the inter-league squad.

His inter-league teammate CALUM THISTLETON joins him after his performances for ESPFA Greater Manchester (Mossley AFC) this season.

The midfield is completed by ESPFA Cheshire’s RYAN MCALPINE. 10 team of the week nominations, three team of the week selections and the player of the half term in February for Runcorn Linnets.

Up top there is a total of 59 goals with this trio. On the left, IOANNIS KOUTOUZOS is a big game player for ESPFA Cheshire (Witton Albion) and his brace in both the National Grand Final and Cup Final contributed hugely to their treble success.

On the right is the North division Golden Boot winner, JAYDEN BOARDMAN from ESPFA Cheshire (Runcorn Linnets). 23 goals including 5 in one game saw him selected in the team of the week three times this season.

And leading the line as he has done all season for his side is ESPFA Cheshire’s EMANUEL HICKSON.

Congratulations to those students named in the North Division Team of the Year.

ESPFA NORTH DIVISION PLAYER OF THE YEAR

All 11 students that have been selected have all showcased their ability and potential on a weekly basis throughout the season, but only one can be crowned the best player and that accolade goes to EMANUEL HICKSON of ESPFA Cheshire for his performances for the treble winners. Congratulations Mani!

ESPFA MIDLANDS DIVISION TEAM OF THE YEAR

In goal Belper Town Yellow’s THEO PATRICK has enjoyed a successful first season on the programme helping his side to the Midlands division title with some fine saves.

In defence, firstly we see two familiar students appearing for the second consecutive year. ESPFA Staffordshire’s JACK HORTON and ESPFA Derbyshire’s MOJEED IPAYE. Both students have been named their respective clubs player of the year and both started the inter-league game back in April.

Joining them is a fellow inter-league participant and double award winner JOSH RIVERA from ESPFA West Midlands (Rushall Olympic). 11 team of the week nominations shows that he has been a consistent high performer all season.

In midfield ALAN MAGIERA from ESPFA Nottinghamshire was nominated eleven times and selected in the team of the week a joint record six times.

Nominated as a top three performer in 10 of his teams games, RAHMANI HAMILTON from ESPFA West Midlands (Rushall Olympic Amber) is a worthy inclusion.

FRANCIS JOSE is one of the youngest students in the ESPFA but watching his mature performances for ESPFA Derbyshire (Borrowash Victoria) you would not have known. A seven-time team of the week nominee and selected three times, his inclusion in the inter-league squad topped off a fantastic first year.

Joining him is team mate KAELIN COLE-TONKS. 11 goals, eight team of the week nominations and three selections, it had been a successful first year for the young midfielder.

Rounding off the midfield is one of the most successful ESPFA football graduates of all time. ESPFA Derbyshire student LEWIS AUSTIN has not only excelled for his team helping them to the National Grand Final with 10 goals, he has also progressed to the first team, playing 15 games and winning the man of the match award in one of his recent starts and recently signed a new contract for the upcoming season.

Up top are two returning nominees. ESPFA West Midlands GIOVANNI LWANDO was nominated eight times for the team of the week, scoring seven goals as his team used his versatility to play in many positions and it will be no surprise to see him joined by the Golden Boot winner EWAN SUTHERILL from ESPFA Derbyshire (Belper Town Yellow)

Well done to all students selected in the Midlands Division team of the year.

ESPFA MIDLANDS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

After finishing runner up in last seasons Midlands player of the year, 2024 is EWAN SUTHERILL’s year. 30 goals, a record 12 team of the week nominations, a joint record six team of the week selections, three first team appearances and selection as the ESPFA’s number 9 in the inter-league game, It has been a season to remember for the fox in the box. Congratulations Ewan!

ESPFA NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR

Choosing the best performing 11 from all the students that have played this campaign is always a tough task, for the 2023/24 season here is your ESPFA National Team of the Year.

Jenson Barber - ESPFA Cheshire (representing Witton Albion)
Josh Rivera - ESPFA West Midlands (representing Rushall Olympic)
Finley Webster - ESPFA Lancashire (representing Skelmersdale United)
Mojeed Ipaye - ESPFA Derbyshire (representing Mickleover FC)
Alan Magiera – ESPFA Nottinghamshire (representing Carlton Town FC)
Lewis Austin - ESPFA Derbyshire (representing Belper Town)
Calum Thistleton - ESPFA Greater Manchester (representing Mossley)
Francis Jose - ESPFA Derbyshire (representing Borrowash Victoria)
Ioannis Koutouzos - ESPFA Cheshire (representing Witton Albion)
Emanuel Hickson - ESPFA Cheshire (representing Witton Albion)
Ewan Sutherill - ESPFA Derbyshire (representing Belper Town)

Well done to all those students named in the ESPFA Divisional team of the year and a special mention to those that made it into the ESPFA National team of the year.

ESPFA NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

19 goals, including two in the National Grand Final and Cup Final, being named as your club’s player of the year in a treble winning season, nominated for team of the week eight times and selected four times, named in the starting line-up for the ESPFA inter-league squad at Boundary Park and now named as the ESPFA national player of the year, the accolades continue to come for ESPFA Cheshire (Witton Albion’s) EMANUEL HICKSON, a worthy recipient of this award and a bright future awaits in the game for the young forward. Congratulations Mani!!

ESPFA NORTH DIVISION GOLDEN BOOT

The winner of the ‘Golden Boot’ for the North Division is once again a member of ESPFA Cheshire (Runcorn Linnets). After two years of Adam Moseley taking home the award, JAYDEN BOARDMAN has picked up the goalscoring responsibilities for the Linnets, firing home 23 goals which has contributed to his teams success as runners up in the North division and ESPFA cup. Congratulations Jayden.

ESPFA MIDLANDS DIVISION GOLDEN BOOT

17 goals last season was enough for EWAN SUTHERILL to pick up the Midlands division golden boot. This season he has nearly doubled his tally reaching 30 goals which has included four hat-tricks to secure his second consecutive award. A key figure in the ESPFA Derbyshire (Belper Town Yellow) success over the last two years when you think of goalscorers in the ESPFA over the last 10 years, Ewan will be remembered as one of the best.

ESPFA NATIONAL GOLDEN BOOT

With 47 goals scored in the ESPFA over his two years on the programme, it is fitting that EWAN SUTHERILL ends his time picking up the ESPFA National Golden Boot for his 30 goal haul this season. 19 goals more than his nearest rival in the Midlands division and 7 goals more overall, Ewan has been favourite for the award since his blistering start to the season when he notched 10 goals in his first four games. Well done Ewan!

ESPFA GOAL OF THE SEASON 2023/24

ESPFA SAVES OF THE SEASON 2023/24

FINAL LEAGUE TABLES 2023/24

ESPFA NATIONAL GRAND FINAL 2024 REPORT - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/espfa-national-grand-final-2024-review

ESPFA NATIONAL GRAND FINAL 2024 HIGHLIGHTS

FINAL CUP GROUP TABLES 2023/24

ESPFA CUP FINAL 2024 REPORT - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/espfa-cup-final-2024-review

ESPFA CUP FINAL 2024 HIGHLIGHTS

ESPFA INTER-LEAGUE 2024 REPORT - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/oldham-athletic-2-0-espfa-inter-league-2024-review

ESPFA STUDENT OF THE HALF TERMS

NORTH

October - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/north-students-of-the-half-term-oct-23

December - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/north-students-of-the-half-term-dec-23

February - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/north-students-of-the-half-term-feb-24

April - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/north-students-of-the-half-term-apr-24

MIDLANDS

October - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/midlands-students-of-the-half-term-oct-23

December - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/midlands-students-of-the-half-term-dec-23

February - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/midlands-students-of-the-half-term-feb-24

April - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/midlands-students-of-the-half-term-apr-24

ESPFA PLAYER OF THE HALF TERMS

NORTH

October - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/north-players-of-the-half-term-oct-23

December - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/north-players-of-the-half-term-dec-23

February - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/north-players-of-the-half-term-feb-24

April - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/north-players-of-the-half-term-apr-24

MIDLANDS

October - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/midlands-players-of-the-half-term-oct-23

December - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/midlands-players-of-the-half-term-dec-23

February - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/midlands-players-of-the-half-term-feb-24

April - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/midlands-players-of-the-half-term-april-24

MATCHWEEK REVIEWS

Reports, match highlights, post match interviews, team lineups and team of the week.

MW1 - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/the-review-23-24-matchweek-one

MW2 - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/the-review-23-24-matchweek-two

MW3 - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/the-review-23-24-matchweek-three

MW4 - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/the-review-23-24-matchweek-four

MW5 - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/the-review-23-24-matchweek-five

MW7 - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/the-review-23-24-matchweek-seven

MW8 - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/the-review-23-24-matchweek-eight

MW9 - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/the-review-23-24-matchweek-nine

MW10 - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/the-review-23-24-matchweek-ten

MW11 - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/the-review-23-24-matchweek-eleven

MW14 - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/the-review-23-24-matchweek-fourteen

MW15 - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/the-review-23-24-matchweek-fifteen

MW16 - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/the-review-23-24-matchweek-sixteen

MW17 - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/the-review-23-24-matchweek-seventeen

MW18 - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/the-review-23-24-matchweek-eighteen

MW19 - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/the-review-23-24-matchweek-nineteen

MW20 - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/the-review-23-24-matchweek-twenty

MW21 - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/the-review-23-24-matchweek-twenty-one

MW22 - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/the-review-23-24-matchweek-twenty-two

MW23 - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/the-review-23-24-matchweek-twenty-three

MW24 - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/the-review-23-24-matchweek-twenty-four

MW25 - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/the-review-23-24-matchweek-twenty-five

MW27 - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/the-review-23-24-matchweek-twenty-seven

MW28 - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/the-review-23-24-matchweek-twenty-eight

MW29 - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/the-review-23-24-matchweek-twenty-nine

FIRST TEAM DEBUTANTS

PROFESSIONAL GRADUATE - https://www.espfa.co.uk/post/ethan-mann-moves-to-stockport-county

Congratulations to former ESPFA Derbyshire student Ethan Mann who has moved from the Southern Premier League to League One newcomers Stockport County.

Ethan represented Mickleover FC in the 2020/21 season where his performances were rewarded with a first team debut for the Sports becoming the ESPFA's 80th football graduate alongside being named in the Midlands team of the year as an integral part of the ESPFA National championship winning side.