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Newcastle Women complete clean sweep at FAWNL awards
Written by Joseph Nelson
Every one of Newcastle United Women's nominees at the 2022/23 FA Women's National League (FAWNL) Awards were celebrating on Saturday evening, as manager Becky Langley and players Grace Donnelly and Bianca Owens all won their respective categories.
The event, held in Milton Keynes following the season's conclusion, saw goalkeeper Donnelly and forward Owens receive their respective Golden Glove and Player of the Year awards - announced at Newcastle's gala dinner last weekend.
United boss Langley was nominated in the Best Manager category for both the FAWNL Division One North and overall, after guiding the Magpies to the title and promotion into the third tier, and she emerged victorious in both.
Following her success, which brought the biggest cheer on the night, Langley expressed her joy.
"I am so proud to be given this award," she said. "So much work has gone into this season and I can't thank the players and staff enough.
"We strive every day to give the best representation of ourselves and inspire young girls and boys, and I hope youngsters see the success we have achieved this year and are encouraged to pursue football in the future.
"I am over the moon, and I also want to say congratulations to both Grace and Bianca for their achievements too. They deserve it."
United captain Donnelly issued thanks to those who have supported her throughout the campaign after winning the Golden Glove.
"It's a great honour to win this award and credit to the Barnsley keeper (Serena Clarke, who shared the award with both keepers keeping 11 clean sheets during the campaign) too, she made some great saves against us in the last game," she said.
"As a group, this season we set targets and the Golden Glove was one of many we managed to tick off.
"It wouldn't have been possible without everyone in my back five, and I also want to give huge thanks to my goalkeeper coach Chris (Stygal) too. The work he puts in, this award is just as much his as it is mine."
Owens represented both Norton & Stockton Ancients Women and Newcastle Women over the course of 2022/23 and was equally thrilled to be honoured for her achievements in the league.
"I'm delighted to have won FAWNL Division One North Player of the Year," she said.
"There are some amazing players in the division so to be recognised amongst them is something I will remember for a long, long time."
"We strive every day to give the best representation of ourselves and inspire young girls and boys, and I hope youngsters see the success we have achieved this year and are encouraged to pursue football in the future."