Connor Ogilvie has been crowned Gillingham’s ‘Player of the Season’ for the 2019/20 season.
In an award ceremony hosted on the club’s YouTube channel on Friday evening, manager Steve Evans presented Ogilvie with the main award after a number of other virtual trophies were handed out for achievements such as ‘Young Player of the Season’, ‘Goal of the Season’ and ‘Players’ Player of the Season’.
The awards
After an introduction and some thanks from various members of the club, the first award was presented to goalkeeper Jack Bonham, who was voted the ‘Away Supporters’ Player of the Season’.
Bonham referenced his man of the match performance in Octobers 1-0 win away to Accrington Stanley in his acceptance speech, before going on to thank the fans for travelling to watch the club all season.
Next up was the ‘Goal of the Season’ award. That went to Ogilvie for his volley against Sunderland back in December – the defender edged out Mikael Mandron, who was nominated for his long-range effort against Sunderland in March and the now-departed Regan Charles-Cook, whose volley away to Blackpool was recongised. They finished second and third respectively.
Bonham then picked up ‘The Chairman’s Cup’, an achievement decided by Gills chairman Paul Scally, before Ogilvie was named ‘MEMS Player of the Year’ – essentially the sponsor’s award.
Jack Tucker won the ‘Young Player of the Year’ award for his breakout season, which any player aged 23 or under when the season started qualifies for, and gave a speech looking forward to next season before Ogilvie scooped the main prize as the live video came to a close.
🏆 | Two awards left....
— Gillingham FC (@TheGillsFC) July 31, 2020
The first of those is the `Young Player of the Year,` and Manager Steve Evans is on hand to announce this one.
After praising the player, the Gaffer reveals that the winner of this trophy is @_jacktucker4! 👏👏
Well deserved. #GillsPOTY2020 pic.twitter.com/Qey38OzrxO
Ogilvie’s success
Ogilvie signed for the Gills at the beginning of the 2019-20 season following two years on loan at the club and was new manager Steve Evans’ first signing as Gills boss.
The 24-year-old went on to make 41 appearances in all competitions in the shortened season, putting in some impressive defensive performances and netting come crucial goals. He scored four goals in total during the campaign.
𝟒 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 🐆 as @Connor_Ogilvie receives the following accolades for this season with 𝐆𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝐅𝐂;
— PantheraSports (@PantheraSports) July 31, 2020
✨ Player of the Season
✨ Player's Player of the Season
✨ Sponsors Player of the Season
✨ Goal of the Season pic.twitter.com/vUMIwxhpNs
At the beginning of the season, Evans mentioned that Ogilvie would be playing centre back for the Gills after struggling at left back at times on loan, but the former Tottenham man moved back to a full back role following the emergence of Jack Tucker halfway through the campaign.
It was evident he had improved, and his successes have now been rewarded with him scooping up the main award, and three more, on Friday.
Reaction
Bonham, Tucker, Ogilvie and last season’s vice-captain Stuart O’Keefe were all present in the call, with manager Steve Evans, assistant Paul Raynor and chairman Paul Scally also tuning in.
Scally opened the presentation by giving his thanks to the supporters, and Bonham, Tucker and Ogivie were all quick to praise the fans after picking up their awards.
When presenting Ogilvie with the award, Evans said: “There’s no point me dressing it up. He’s the man that’s got better and better.”
Ogilvie said: “I want to thank, obviously, the fans. To be voted ‘Player of the Season’ is a great honour and I hope I can improve on this year and play even better.
“I look forward to playing in front of everyone when crowds eventually get back in.”
Ogilvie then tweeted: "What a season it has been! I did not expect to pick up 4 awards.
"I’m truly grateful to the staff, the gaffer, the lads, but most importantly the fans for following us every step of the way and being the 12th man!
"Thank-you to everyone who voted for me."
What a season it has been! 🙌🏻
— Connor Ogilvie (@Connor_Ogilvie) July 31, 2020
I did not expect to pick up 4 awards... I’m truly grateful to the staff, the Gaffa,the lads but most importantly the fans for following us every step of the way and being the 12th man! 🔵🔵
Thank-you to everyone who voted for me 🔵 #UTG pic.twitter.com/RcKO9loI5b