Fleetlands teenager ‘has got a very bright future’ after winning manager’s Player of the Season award

The son of a former Portsmouth FC coach has been tipped for a very bright future in the game.
Tommy Woodward, right, won Fleetlands' Players' Player of the Season award. Picture: Chris MoorhouseTommy Woodward, right, won Fleetlands' Players' Player of the Season award. Picture: Chris Moorhouse
Tommy Woodward, right, won Fleetlands' Players' Player of the Season award. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

Fleetlands boss Rich Bessey believes the attacking midfielder can play many levels higher after an impressive first season in the Hampshire Premier League’s Senior Division.

The 16-year-old - son of ex-Fratton Park academy coach Sean North - made 13 starts for the Gosport-based club in 2019/20 as well as a further eight off the bench, scoring four times.

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As a result, Bessey has chosen him as his Manager’s Player of the Season.

Sean Dark won Fleetlands' Most Valuable Player award after switching from striker to left back. Picture: Keith WoodlandSean Dark won Fleetlands' Most Valuable Player award after switching from striker to left back. Picture: Keith Woodland
Sean Dark won Fleetlands' Most Valuable Player award after switching from striker to left back. Picture: Keith Woodland

‘Jack and his brother Dillon are both Fleetlands players and you can tell they have been coached the right way by their dad. They have been coached totally differently to the other players.

‘Of all the players in the squad, Jack is the one who could go the furthest in the game.

‘He’s only 16 - less than half the age of someone like me or Tommy Woodward - so he’s got a lot to learn but he’s got a very bright future.

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‘We played AFC Totton away in a cup tie and Jack was man of the match. He mainly plays in the middle of midfield but I’ve played him out wide as well.

Jack North (stripes) in action against Paulsgrove (blues) - one of the 23 appearances that helped win the teenager his manager's Player of the Season award at Fleetlands. Picture: Chris MoorhouseJack North (stripes) in action against Paulsgrove (blues) - one of the 23 appearances that helped win the teenager his manager's Player of the Season award at Fleetlands. Picture: Chris Moorhouse
Jack North (stripes) in action against Paulsgrove (blues) - one of the 23 appearances that helped win the teenager his manager's Player of the Season award at Fleetlands. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

‘He’s only a small kid, but remember someone like Sammy Igoe at Portsmouth was only a small player but he played professionally.’

Striker-turned-defender Sean Dark was voted Fleetlands’ Most Valuable Player, an award voted by management, club staff and committee members.

Dark was playing up front when Bessey arrived at Lederle Lane last summer, but he was quickly deployed as a left back.

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He ended up making 27 appearances in all competitions, and no-one made more for the first team in 2019/20.

‘Sean has all the attributes to be a very good left back,’ said Bessey. ‘He’s strong as an ox, he’s got a good left foot, and good left-backs are hard to find.

‘He’s a real character, and good for the dressing room.’

The Players’ Player of the Season award went to skipper Tommy Woodward.

He was one of Bessey’s first signings, following his former Paulsgrove, Liss and Folland boss to Fleetlands.

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He made 26 appearances and was second top scorer with 11 goals.

‘Tommy should be playing higher really,’ said Bessey. ‘He’s a loyal guy, works so hard, chips in with goals - in my view he’s one of the best players in the division.’

Matt Andrews won the club’s Top Goalscorer award for netting 25 times in 27 league and cup appearances.

Only three players in the HPL top flight scored more - Infinity’s Jamie White (41), Colden Common’s Sam Adams (32) and Bush Hill’s Mark Barker (30).

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‘Matt’s played Southern League and Wessex League football for the likes of Winchester, Horndean, Alresford, Petersfield and Fareham,’ Bessey said.

‘If he could get himself a bit fitter, he’d be an outstanding player - he’d be scoring 30 or 40 goals a season at this level. He’s such a natural in front of goal.’

Fleetlands’ Clubman of the Season award went to long-serving groundsman John Adams.

‘He’s an outstanding person,’ Bessey said. ‘He does so much for us apart from keeping the pitch in shape. He also comes and watches us play - he gives me a big thumbs up when we win.’

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Reserve manager Kevin Wrapson’s Player of the Season was Shane Kent, while the Players’ Player award went to Kent’s central defensive partner Joe Reed.

Top scorer was Jamie Wrapson - son of the boss – with 11 goals for the Wyvern League East Division outfit.

Bessey also paid tribute to Coptermen chairman Iain Sellstrom. ‘He’s an absolute gem. His leadership is outstanding and he will take this club to where it wants to be - in the Wessex League.’

That could well have been next season had 2019/20 not been declared null and void by the FA. Having applied for promotion, Fleetlands were sitting fourth in the Senior Division with seven games remaining. They were 11 points adrift of second-placed Paulsgrove, but had five games in hand on Bessey’s former club.

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Had the FA ended up promoting three clubs from the HPL, they would almost certainly have gone up alongside Infinity and Bush Hill.

Now, in the aftermath of the FA’s decision to expunge all results, thoughts have turned to next season’s promotion challenge.

‘We can’t talk to anyone yet but we’re creating a list,’ said Bessey. There’s players at our level and above I’d like to talk to, to see if they want to be part of our exciting plans.’