Two Daisy Hill players were presented with awards last Saturday to commemorate reaching appearance milestones for the club.
In the past few weeks, captain Jake O’Brien made his 150th appearance and goalkeeper Morgan Newns reached 100 games, and the duo received engraved plaques from manager Lee Hill before the game in the North West Counties League First Division North against Euxton Villa.
O’Brien first joined the club in season 2018/19 and quickly became a regular member of the first-team squad. He left for short spells with Bury and Cheadle Town in season 2022/23, before returning in the summer of 2023.
Newns made his debut at the start of the 2021/22 season, and was the regular first-choice keeper at the club until midway through the following season, when he suffered an injury.
After a spell away, Newns also rejoined the club in the summer of 2023, and has only missed a handful of games since.
Daisy manager Hill said: “When I took over as manager of the club in the summer of 2023, two of the first calls I made were to Jake and Morgan.
“I asked Jake if he would come back to be captain of the club, and he has repaid my faith in him, and is a great leader on and off the field.
“Morgan had been a consistent performer at Daisy Hill in his first spell at the club, winning the League’s Goalkeeper-of-the-Month award on one occasion, and as soon as I knew he was available I knew he would be my ideal first-choice keeper.
“His performances are regularly of a high standard, and he is a key member of the squad.
“Both players are a great example to the younger members of our squad, with their attitude and commitment to the club, and we will hopefully have them on board as key members of the squad and reaching more appearance milestones in the coming seasons.”
