William Hill Fan of the Year Award

Once the dust settles and we assess the National Game Awards, our thoughts often drift back to the category which we believe means the most to the person in possession of a glass decanter.
Every year we welcome managers, players, directors and personnel from all across the country.
Some have put in the miles to make it to west London, setting off in the early hours. Some don’t even know why we’ve asked them along.
That’s often the case with one very special award we take pride in presenting every year.
‘We couldn’t do it without you’ is said a lot at the end of every season, but with the William Hill Fan of the Year that is quite literally the case – it just can’t work without your help.
It’s quite rare that the Fan of the Year isn’t one of the most memorable. Why? Because the person walking out with an NGA in a box under their arm always has passion for football flowing through their body.
But, while covering as many grounds as we possibly can every year, we can’t be in a thousand places all at once. That’s why we are welcoming your input more than ever before – it’s our duty to ensure the right person leaves Stamford Bridge with their name engraved on the award on Wednesday, May 16.
This is where you come in. Do you know a truly dedicated fan who travels the length and breadth of the country to back their team, come rain or come shine? What about a supporter who has had to endure turmoil off the pitch at their club – there’s been several examples of that this season too!
We want to hear if your club has a supporter who has reached a significant milestone after years of dedication.
Put that person forward and our team will sit down and study the candidates to make certain we’ve got the right Fan of the Year!
It’s fair to say we got our man nearly ten months ago in Witham Town super fan James Beardwell.
Beardwell, who has been following Witham since 2005, acted as a 12th man for the Bostik North side all of last season, keeping up a level of vocal support which, according to vice-chairman Jim Purtill “defies the biological limits of human lungs for 90 minutes plus.”
On receiving his award, Beardwell, who relies solely on public transport to travel throughout East Anglia, Kent, Surrey and Sussex to watch his side play, said, “The way I sing, it sounds like 100 or even 1,000 fans are chanting! I want to keep up my level of support for years to come.”

HOW TO VOTE:

Please email [email protected] to cast your vote or use #NGAvotes on twitter or via post to
The Non-League Paper, Tuition House, St George’s Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU