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Champs TG toast of DPL awards

Published:Saturday | May 21, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Tivoli Gardens FC coaches Alvin Shaw (right) and Glendon Bailey (second right, partly hidden), Digicel's senior sponsorship manager Shelly-Ann Curran (third left, second row) and Minister of Sport, Olivia Grange (fourth left, second row) share a moment with Edward Seaga (second right), chairman of the Premier League Clubs Association, Jamaica Football Federation president, Captain Horace Burrell (third right), Digicel CEO Mark Linehan (centre, second row) and members of the Tivoli Gardens football team at the 2010-2011 Digicel Premier League awards ceremony, at the Courtleigh Auditorium on Thursday night. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Champions Tivoli Gardens were the toasts of the 2010-11 Digicel Premier League (DPL) awards ceremony inside the Courtleigh Auditorium on Thursday night, walking away with the $2.5 million cash prize as well as a 'goodie bag' of six team and individual awards.

The west Kingston-based team capped an excellent league and cup-winning season; a fitting end to what was an unprecedented 28-week stretch atop the DPL table, which culminated at the start of this month with their title-deciding victory over the hard-pressing Boys' Town, who walked away with $1.5 million for their second-place effort.

With 20 wins over the 38-week season, Tivoli Gardens were awarded with the 'Team with the most wins' award and also underscored their all-round displays this season with the 'Best Defensive' (27 goals scored against) and 'Top Scoring' (52 goals scored) team awards as well.

Coach Glendon Bailey was named the 'Coach of the Year', while team captain Edsel Scott got the 'Top Goalkeeper' and 'Winning Captain' titles.

Foster MVP

Reno's Craig Foster, who barely missed out on the top goalscorer award after losing out to an eight-goal blitz by Arnett Gardens' Kirk Ramsey in a last-round game against the then already relegated Benfica, walked away with the MVP title, with Ramsey's 17 goals catapulting him to the leading goalscorer prize.

Boys' Town's inspirational captain, Michael Campbell, received the Tony Burrowes personality award for his influence in his community and his positive impact to his team.

Each individual award category winner was also given BlackBerry phones, courtesy of Research In Motion and Digicel, along with a $100,000 cash prize.

Kevin Morrison was judged the top referee, with other officials Ricardo Morgan (top assistant referee) and Ewan Scott (Commissary of the Year), also receiving recognition.

League MVP Foster was surprised with the award, but could not hide his disappointment of missing out on the top goal-getter title.

"I was very shocked, I never expected it but I must thank God for it. I am happy that I scored so many goals in my first season of Premier League football, even though I am very disappointed not to have finished as leading goalscorer," said Foster.

CEO of Digicel Jamaica, Mark Linehan, underlined his company's commitment to sports in general and also offered congratulations to champions Tivoli Gardens and second-place Boys' Town.

"At Digicel, we believe that football, and sport in general, is an important vehicle that brings people and communities together whilst aiding in the overall development of the country. We look forward to continuing to support football and other sports in Jamaica," said Linehan.

"What a great season of football it has been, culminating in Tivoli Gardens and Boys' Town fighting for the top spot. I must congratulate Tivoli Gardens on their win, but I must also commend Boys' Town on a well-fought campaign," he added.

Sport Minister Olivia Grange was also on hand to make a presentation and took time out to encourage the teams and support personnel.

"It was such an exciting end to the season. You kept us at the edge of our seats, just the way we like it, and I want to encourage the other teams in the league to play hard and play fair," Grange said.

"Our league is improving and it's because of all the efforts that every player, coach, manager, owner, sponsor, fan, the PLCA and JFF put into it, she added. "We are all working together and we know that we will get to that professional state that we all desire."