OUR GAME PLAYER OF THE YEAR
MATT GREEN – MANSFIELD TOWN
MATT GREEN has been causing waves in Non-League all season – so you can forgive him for choosing the gentle ripples of Krabi's clear blue ocean over attending an awards lunch beside the choppy River Thames.
Especially when you consider that he has girlfriend Jeri Sumner, the niece of pop legend Sting, at his side on that Thai beach!
Jeri, 24, is a singer herself. And 26-year-old striker Green's 57 goals in two prolific seasons have been music to Stags fans, celebrating a Football League return after a five-year absence.
Green followed up his 30 goals in 2011-12 with another 27 as Town won the Blue Square Bet Premier title by two points from Kidderminster.
Green also scored in the Stags titanic FA Cup third round clash with Premier League giants Liverpool, who won 2-1 thanks to Luis Suarez's ‘handball' goal.
The title win made it three promotions to League Two for Green, who also won Conference play-offs with Torquay and Oxford United.
Each time the former Cardiff youngster has returned to Non-League on long-term loan, but he is now ready for a proper crack at.
The Bath-born forward was on trial at Championship club Birmingham City before his holiday, and he said: “It's an honour to win such a prestigious award voted for by the readers of The NLP.
“I had a slow start to the season and was out of the side for a few weeks. I've got to thank Matt Rhead. If he didn't pass to me to tap one in and end my goal drought last November, I might not have got back in the team, let alone scored so many goals.
“It's been a pleasure playing in such a quality team. The easy part has been finishing the chances the other lads have created for me.”
On his future, Green added: “I feel I've grown up as a player and a person in the last few months.
“I'm going to take time to think about what lies ahead, and leave my agent to see what offers are on the table.
“I've loved playing for Mansfield and the offer to stay is wonderful. But if the chance arises to move up and prove myself, I have to take it.”
