It has been a disjointed season. There has been no week in, week out player making for a difficult selection. There have been more goalkeepers in a season than you normally see in half a decade. There is also the factor that early season form is forgotten and recent games can bias votes.
In defence captain Hodgkiss barking out squeeze, squeeze, squeeze at Peterborough Sports remains the supreme organiser and he remains a solid player. Zak Lilly has been playing very well in recent games but his early season form was poor and did not allow the Bulls to get off to a fast start. Jack Evans and Orrin Pendley would be on my shortlist. In midfield neither Ryan has played as well as last season and Luke Haines number of bookings, sendings off and suspensions should surely exclude him. Harry Pinchard has played very well recently but his form before Christmas was variable often playing one good half and one poor one.
Jethro Hanson has played more minutes than most but he has struggled to add star quality. There’s a lack of goals and assists. He has not bossed a game against a promotion contender. Miles Storey is another player turning it on in recent weeks but who was very variable earlier on. Amadi-Holloway has not contributed goals when up front but has been immense at the back, regularly looking the best player on the pitch. He has struggled throughout to get through ninety minutes and he’s my third choice. Tyrone Barnett has not scored the number of goals to contend.
Jack Evans brings joy to fans and teammates alike. He plays with a smile on his face. His ability and engine are immense and he’s created more goals than some players who have that as their main responsibility. He is always accessible to fans staying for the last youngster selfie every time. He breaks his arm and comes back in double quick time still playing with strapping. Definitely the young player of the year.
My personal choice is Orrin Pendley. He has played 29 games at the time of writing which puts him up there in a season with lots of injuries. He was sent out on loan but showed that was another of the poor judgements by Josh Gowling which saw his time as manager come to an end. Like everyone I have certain prejudices. I love fast tricky wingers. We haven’t had one for a while. My next favourite position is centre back. A ball playing libero is a bonus, I prefer brutes. You don’t mess with Orrin. National League North can be a dirty old Division with some right old characters up front. Orrin has mastered every man sent up against him. First you have to stop the other side playing, Orrin does that. He has improved throughout the season and he has played several long balls down the channels which have lead to goals and those have been a very precious commodity this year. His pass at Curzon Ashton leading to Barnet’s second goal was one of the passes of the year
I would love to see the statistics on Orrin in front of goal. It feels like every time he gets a chance he scores. The turn and strike at home to Scarborough was the best bit of striker play all season. And here’s a frightening thought. Without Orrin’s goals the Bulls would still be facing relegation. Five goals, four wins, three decisive goals, when you add that to defensive solidity Orrin has made a vast difference.
And a story about his character. At Kings Lynn some of their older fans were commenting on the edge of racism. Loud mentions of Josh’s distinctive hairstyle. Going to the edge of a racial comment. Then they started loudly using the term “boy” whenever a black Hereford player had the ball. It’s historical racism and those using it knew what they were doing. Martin Luther King experienced this and you can read more on how the term is used in a racist manner in this article https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2018/11/02/417513631/when-boys-cant-be-boys
Orrin was a substitute but he was not having his teammates and manager abused, he stood up and sorted out the racists in the crowd.
Orrrin Pendley, a defensive man mountain as his manager Yan Klukowski calls him. Always in the right place to score says striker Miles Storey. A man to stand up for his mates and to put the anti-racist values of Hereford FC into action, my player of the season.
The full list of nominees and voting form is at
https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/player-of-the-season-2022-23/
Update Orrin Pendley scored the last minute winner at Bromley in the FA Cup worth about £100,000 to the club