IT was a night to honour and remember at the annual Blackburn Sunday League presentation evening.

While it was an evening of celebration, it was also an evening tinged with sadness as the league paid it’s respect to former secretary John Haydock who sadly lost his battle against illness.

However, it was an event John himself would have been proud of as the league again showed why it is one of the best run in Lancashire.

Former Blackburn Rovers player Derek Fazackerly was the guest of honour on a night where New Gardeners were the big winners, scooping six team and individual awards.

The Division One champions were named team of the year while there were special awards to two of their longest serving players.

Manager Dave Berry was presented with the President’s Award while Paddy Lauber picked up the League Special Award.

And Lewis Hamlin was named Division One player of the season and also picked up the Division One leading scorer prize.

Other winners included Young player of the year Conor Gaul, Kalim Hafeji who won the EW Cartons Award while Allan Taylor was named Referee of the Year.

Roll of honour Division 1 Champions: New Gardeners; Runners Up: Clifton; Player of the Year: Lewis Hamlin (New Gardeners); Leading Goalscorer: Lewis Hamlin (New Gardeners); Goalkeeper: Kieron Dawe (Brownhill) Division 2 Champions: Crown Paints; Runners Up: Station; Player of the Year: Liam Bullen (Whinney Hill Colts) Leading Goalscorer: Ryan Steele (Crown Paints); Karl Brown (JQ Plumbing) Division 3 Champions: Stanley Ultras; Runners Up: Oswaldtwistle Immanuel; Player of the Year: Eddie Smart (Hyndburn Youth); Leading Goalscorer: Matt Woodhouse (Stanley Ultras; Goalkeeper: Jamie Auty (Stanley Ultras) Rosebowl Winners: Clifton; Runners Up: Intack; Rosebowl Man of the Match: Roberto Banaminio (Clifton) Referee of the Year: Allan Taylor Presidents Award: Dave Berry Junior Referee: MZ Yusuf Secretary of the Year: Jamie Auty (Stanley Ultras) Club Assistant Referee: Ian Parker (Station Hotel) Team of the Year: New Gardeners Sportsmanship Trophy: Baggy’s Wine Bar Young Player of the Year: Conor Gaul (Crown Paints) League Special Award: Paddy Lauber EW Cartons Award: Kalim Hafeji Charity Shield: Mill Hill