Friday, 27 June 2003.
A look back through the 2002/03 campaign. It was the year of Wayne Rooney, the team that was too good to go down and Fergie's comeback...
Every day this week we have been asking our contributors here at TheFA.com to make their personal awards for the season just gone. Focusing on non-league football, here is who and what TheFA.com's Tony Incenzo will remember from the 2002-2003 season...
TheFA.com Football Awards 2002/03
Goal - Francis Tierney (Doncaster Rovers)
Tierney's extra-time golden goal that gave Doncaster Rovers a 3-2 win over Dagenham and Redbridge in the Conference Play-Off Final. It took 'Donny' back into the Third Division after an absence of five years.
Save - Tony Roberts (Dagenham & Redbridge)
Roberts' fantastic stop from Morecambe's Jamie Murphy which meant that Dagenham and Redbridge won the penalty shoot-out in the Conference Play-Offs Semi-Final.
Managers
Conference - Gary Johnson (Yeovil)
The Yeovil boss takes the Somerset club into the Football League for the first time in their history as runaway Conference champions.
Feeders - Terry Brown (Aldershot Town)
Terry Brown wins this one for winning the Ryman League title at the first attempt having joined the Shots from Hayes a year ago.
One to watch - Steve Claridge (Weymouth)
Former League star Claridge, who recently took over as the new player-manager of Weymouth. Expect the Dorset club to be amongst the front runners in the Dr Martens League title chase.
Quote - Gary Johnston (Yeovil)
"I have told my players we are not going into the Third Division to stand still - we want promotion again next season."
Players
One to watch - Anthony Elding (Stevenage Borough)
Stevenage Borough's young striker has the goalscoring prowess to succeed at the highest level.
Goalkeeper - Tony Roberts (Dagenham & Redbridge)
Former Welsh international Roberts is publicly acknowledged as the best keeper in non-League football at Dagenham and Redbridge.
Buy - Daryl Clare (Chester)
Chester bought Daryl Clare for a nominal fee from Boston United. He ended the season with 19 goals and is now attracting big money enquiries from SPL club Aberdeen.
Most improved - Junior Agogo (Barnet)
Junior joined Barnet after being rejected by QPR. He scored 20 Conference goals and is now bringing interest from Peterborough and Swindon.
Unsung heroes - Those you don't see...
All the club secretaries and administrators that make sure everyone can enjoy a game of football on a Saturday.
Team - Yeovil Town
They won the Conference title playing a potent brew of attacking football which brought the crowds flocking to Huish Park.
Feeders - Team Bath
The students of Team Bath made the national headlines for becoming the first student team to reach the FA Cup First Round in the modern era.
Game - Burscough 2 Tamworth 1
The FA Trophy Final is always the showpiece of non-League football, and it was nice to see two unfancied sides reaching the Final at Villa Park with Burscough beating Tamworth 2-1.
Performance - Vauxhall Motors
Vauxhall Motors of the Unibond League thoroughly deserved to beat Second Division QPR in the FA Cup, edging through an exciting penalty shoot-out in the replay at Loftus Road.
Celebration - John Fry (Yeovil)
Yeovil chairman John Fry had 20 bottles of champagne waiting for his players in the dressing room after they clinched the Conference title.
Skill - Michael Stewart (Redhill)
The skill and dedication of Redhill programme editor Michael Stewart was evident with the production of a 276 page edition for a home game at the end of the season.
Most memorable moment - John Ryan (Doncaster Rovers)
Doncaster Rovers chairman Ryan fulfilled a boyhood ambition by going on as a substitute in the last minute of the game at Hereford. Just five days short of his 53rd birthday, Ryan created a new record as the oldest man to ap ar for a senior professional club. He failed to touch the ball in his brief appearance!
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