Brilliant year for English import rewarded with top honour

By Teo Pellizzeri

September 3 2007

Shepparton News

Cobram's Karl Fannon was airborne and bound for his homeland of England on Saturday night but will land to discover he won the North Eastern Soccer League best and fairest award.

Fannon, a towering central midfielder for the Tigers won the award for the league's best-performed player with 16 votes, tying with Cobram Victory striker Frank Bazzano, who was ineligible due to a red card during the season.

Victory's Sam Grasso finished runner-up with 14 votes, while Shepparton South playing coach Serkan Aktas was third with 13.

Cobram coach and president Domenic Tedesco accepted the best and fairest award on Fannon's behalf, saying his star player was a shining light in a disappointing season for the Tigers.

"He's such a big and solid fellow, it's hard to get around him and he holds his spot on the field so well," Tedesco said.

"We had a disappointing year, but it's great that he's been rewarded because he never dropped his head despite how the team was travelling."

Fannon's presence in midfield made him a target during the season, not adverse to being at the centre of trouble, in particular when handbags broke out in the match against Shepparton United in round 10.

"Nobody in the league knew what he was like in the first round, but by the second round word had got around," Tedesco said.

"He got frustrated with the attention he got and the man-marking, but he remained consistent."

Tedesco said he hoped his star midfielder and other boom recruit Sandy Emmanuale would be back at the Tigers next season.

A part of Fannon's trip to England is to tempt more recruits to Cobram.

"We rebuilt the club this year and with Karl and Sandy coming back we'll be looking to add players and have a solid season next year," Tedesco said.

Stuart Vance was the men's golden boot winner with 22 goals, the former Yoogali striker dominant for minor premier Shepparton.