CSKA Carnabys 2o23-24 Awards
McNamee and Preston Claim CSKA Top Accolades
The CSKA big weekender concluded on Saturday 31st May with the handout of the player awards at our favourite watering hole The White Hart in Quorn.
Celebrations from the evening before were still in full flow, and a few former CSKA players joined in the celebrations.
Below is a rundown of all our winners.
CSKA Carnabys Players’ Player Award
Winner: Will McNamee
2nd: Connor Williams
3rd: Olly Arnold
Despite a struggling start for CSKA in 2024/25, Will produced some memorable displays in the centre of the pitch. Always disciplined and understanding of his role on the pitch, he mastered the pivot role this season and as a result was often one of the first names on the team sheet despite strong competition from within the squad.
His illusive first CSKA goal came on his 33rd appearance and was a thing of beauty (read on for more), two more goals would follow during the season with his third being equally as special in the EW Fosters Semi-Final.
His performance in that final was his best in a CSKA shirt, where he covered every blade of grass on a difficult pitch, battled for absolutely everything and was consistently that creative spark in the middle.
Will’s commitment and appearance record this season was much improved and both he and CSKA felt the benefits of that.
CSKA Carnabys II Players’ Player Award
Winner: Kiaya Preston
2nd: Dave Thompson
3rd: Joe Garner
Summer signing Kiaya Preston took the majority of the votes for CSKA II after a very successful first season. Initally deployed as a holding midfielder, Kiaya found his best form for the club in a sweeper position in a back three defence.
Played through heavy knee pain throughout the season and always delivered consistent performances in a calm yet fierce manner.
Always smiling and joking, he’s contributed brilliantly to improving the overall team morale and showing fantastic potential again at such a young age.
CSKA Carnabys Manager’s Player Award
Winner: Olly Arnold
2nd: Will McNamee
3rd: Connor Williams
It’s always difficult for a player like Olly to get recognition as he set the bar so high from such a young age. This season however he was challenged to bring much more to his game, whilst continuing to deliver goals in his lone striker role.
His numbers speak for themselves, 20 goals, 11 assists and 6 MotMs. But providing that return whilst also operating a high-press, high intensity role is remarkable for a lad still only 20 years old.
CSKA Carnabys II Manager’s Player Award
Winner: Dave Thompson
2nd: Kiaya Preston
3rd: Shivan Solanki/Connor Wills
Dave Thompson’s leadership in the middle of the park this season was instrumental to the success of CSKA II, and big performances in the crucial games at the end of the season rightfully earned him the recognition from his managers Danny Chapman and Kieran Brookes-Smith.
A focused mindset and a driven determination to succeed even saw him contribute with goals, including a fantastic equaliser in the semi-final win over Cradock Arms.
An injury scare in the final league game almost cost him his opportunity to play in the club’s first ever final. But he strapped himself up and ignored the pain and produced a match-winning performance.
CSKA Carnabys Fans’ Player Award
Winner: Olly Arnold
2nd: Connor Williams
3rd: Ben Lewin / Will McNamee
63 votes throughout the season with some memorable performances against Enderby (h), Harborough (a), Knighton (a) and probably his best performance of the season against Spinney Rovers (h).
CSKA Carnabys II Fans’ Player Award
Winner: Kiaya Preston
2nd: Shivan Solanki
3rd: Connor Wills
A consistent performer all season, getting votes for MotM in 13 games throughout the season. Notable performances against Knighton Park Reserves (a) and Fleckney Youth (h).
CSKA Carnabys Best Newcomer Award
Winner: Ashwin Anand
2nd: Josh Tank
3rd: Zhuangnian “Kai” Ai
An impressive first season for young Ashwin who joined in the summer. His talent is there in abundance, and once he found his feet at the club he never looked back,
Started off pre-season as an attacking midfielder but eventually found his feet as a holding midfielder. Strongest performances came towards the end of the season, and CSKA will be hoping he can secure a longer term stay in England.
CSKA Carnabys II Best Newcomer Award
Winner: Kiaya Preston
2nd: Joe Garner
3rd: Shivan Solanki
Kiaya Preston was also recognised with the Best Newcomer award for CSKA II.
CSKA Carnabys Golden Boot Award
Winner: Olly Arnold
2nd: Caine Ward
3rd: Hiran Mistry
Olly Arnold made it a hat-trick of Golden Boots in only his third season at CSKA.
CSKA Carnabys II Golden Boot Award
Winner: Josh McDougall
2nd: Connor Wills
3rd: Shivan Solanki
Remarkably Josh McDougall’s hat-trick in the Stokes Cup Final ended up pinching the CSKA II Golden Boot from Connor Wills.
CSKA Carnabys Goal of the Season Award
Winner: Will McNamee – vs Spinney Rovers {A)
2nd: Theo Grant – vs Beaumont Town (h)
3rd: Dan Danes – vs Oadby Owls (a)
Will McNamee’s first ever CSKA goal was a thing of beauty. Not only was it one of the most aesthetically pleasing strikes of the ball you’ll see at Sunday League level, it cannoned in off the bar and bounced just over the line.. all in the very last minute of the game.
CSKA Carnabys II Goal of the Season Award
Winner: Shivan Solanki – vs Cradock Arms (n)
2nd: Connor Wills – vs Leicester Rising Starz (a)
3rd: Tom Marshall – vs Leicester Rising Starz (a)
Shiv Solanki’s beautiful curling effort from the edge of the box in the Stokes Cup Semi-Final was the pick of the bunch for CSKA II this season.
Richard Augustus Award
Winner: Josh Tank
In memory of our friend Richard Augustus who sadly passed away in January, this award was presented to Josh Tank for a number of reasons.
Josh joined us at a difficult time, came in and immediately understood the ethos and culture of the club. Trained hard, socialised with his new teammates and prioritised CSKA from the off. Unfortunately suffered an ankle fracture after just 3 (undefeated) games between the sticks, but that didn’t stop him showing up at training with his foldable chair and umbrella.
Itching to return he made remarkable recovery in time for the knockout stages of the cup competitions where he shone with heroics in 2 penalty shootouts as well as penalty saves in normal time and man of the match awards and a player of the month award in the vital part of the season.
A genuinely sound young lad who very much is a credit to the award’s namesake.
CSKA Carnabys Development Award
Winner: Ben Lewin
This award is for the player who has raised his game the most, and Ben is the obvious winner here.
Having started out as a goalkeeper only at the start of the previous season, he said right from the off that First Team was where he wants to get to, and when that opportunity presented itself to him, he grabbed it with both hands and didn’t look back.
Despite suffering a broken hand right at the start of the campaign, Ben rushed back and produced some memorable displays throughout the season, in particular his penalty shootout heroics against Beaumont Town in the EW Fosters Cup Quarter Final.
CSKA Carnabys ClubMan Award
Winner: Kieran Brookes-Smith
Despite suffering with his health throughout most of the season, Kez has taken his role very seriously and been with his players throughout the season despite doctors warning him about getting his heart-rate elevated too much.
Subjected to shoving by some **** playing for Leicester Rising Starz, he always keeps his head on the sideline and reads the game situation brilliantly. Had no complaints about having to do extra admin in his new role, and has been a pleasure to work with all season.
CSKA Carnabys Fans Award
Winner: Ell, Mia, Sienna & Courtney
The atmosphere at some CSKA II games has been fantastic this season, and played a huge role in the eventual success. The girls have shown up week after week in all conditions to support their boys and the team. Taking some cool photos and videos along the way.