Awards double for star duo

Cole won the players’ player and young player accolades, while Pelling received the manager’s player and supporters’ player prizes at The River Haven Hotel last Friday night.

Nineteen-year-old Cole, who can play left-back or left-midfield and never stops running, has been a real find for the club since signing from Hailsham Town two years ago and has attracted interest from Eastbourne Borough.

Former Brighton & Hove Albion youngster Pelling, 20, performed superbly after signing on a dual-registration basis with Hastings United and was a key performer in Rye’s remarkable run to the quarter-finals of the FA Vase.

Another one-time Brighton man Scott Ramsay won the golden boot for his 25 goals in all competitions, while goal of the season went to Marc Gall for his looping header in the FA Vase victory away to Crawley Down.

There was also an auction, which included items such as a mountain bike and signed shirt from Gareth Barry, and a raffle which raised a bit of money towards club funds and a buffet at a well-attended function.

After having this week off, Rye will start preparing for the 2011-12 season next week. Work on the new clubhouse is expected to start very soon now that all the estimates are in and the building regulations have been finalised.

The full article will appear in Friday’s Rye Observer.