NEARLY 300 people, including the 130 boys who play for the club, attended Lytham St Annes YMCA's annual Junior Presentation Evening in the main sports hall of the club's headquarters at St Alban's Road.

Blackpool players John Hills and Jamie Milligan, plus Sunderland and England midfielder Gavin McCann -- all former YMCA juniors -- were to make the awards but were invited to attend an Everton reunion dinner at the last minute. All three are former Everton players. However, injured Pool striker Adam Nolan stepped in at the last minute.

Football club president Mark Cowburn was master of ceremonies for the evening and three players from each YMCA side, from Under-8s to Under-15s, received various awards during the 90-minute ceremony. Retiring Under-17s manager Arthur Swarbrick received the Manager of the Year award and the Club Person of the Year trophy was awarded to Under-11s manager Scott Somerside.

Eight Under-15s players received Loyalty Awards, the most ever to be awarded at a YMCA presentation evening. One player had served the club for eight seasons, six of them seven seasons and the other one had five seasons' service.

Football Secretary "Lozz" Rose received a surprise at the end of the ceremony when he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement award. He has been secretary since 1972 and has organised May Bank Holiday and Christmas tournaments plus summer soccer coaching schools for more than 25 years as well as producing the club magazine, YM Soccermag, every year since 1976. He received a two-minute standing ovation from the packed hall.

"It was another great evening and the behaviour of all 130 youngsters was exemplary throughout the proceedings. We are extremely grateful to Adam Nolan for travelling from his Preston home at late notice to make the awards," said a club spokesman.

The awards were:

Under-8s

Manager's Player of the Year: Alex Murphy. Most Improved: Jack Chamberlain.

Under-9s

Players' Player of the Year: Michael Murray. Manager's Player of the Year: James Pollock. Most Improved: Joshua Jones.

Under-10s

Players' Player of the Year: Danny Penswick. Manager's Player of the Year: Anthony Stayte. Team Player: Richard Horrocks.

Under-11s

Players' Player of the Year: Luke Andrews. Manager's Player of the Year: Alex Pickering. Most Improved: Josef Walker.

Under-12s

Players' Player of the Year: Nicholas Vann. Manager's Player of the Year: Edward Cam. Most Improved: Dominic Jones.

Under-13s

Players' Player of the Year: Richard Ayres. Manager's Player of the Year: Mark Jolly. Most Improved: Mark Jolly.

Under-14s

Players' Player of the Year: Nathan Parker. Manager's Player of the Year: Scott Park. Most Improved: Kieran McLean.

Under-15s

Players' Player of the Year: Phil Rayton. Manager's Player of the Year: Mark Hesp. Most Consistent: Gareth Vickers.

Loyalty Awards for 5+ years' service: Ben Marks, David Day, Richard Callaghan, Richard Baldwin, Jake Lavin, David Warburton, Danny Murphy and James Harrison.

Manager of the Season: Arthur Swarbrick.

Clubperson of the Year for Commitment and Endeavour: Scott Somerside.