Melville goalkeeper Max “Two Trophies” Tommy has done the double in winning Melville’s northern premier league Player of the Year award and the revered Players’ Player trophy.

The 30-year-old custodian finished the truncated 2021 season on 99 major appearances for Melville, gaining the respect of team mates and coaching staff for his performances, reliability and drama-free manner.

“Max has been one of the most consistent performers for the past few seasons,” said Melville coach Sam Wilkinson. “His value to the team often gets overlooked because he goes about his work without much fuss.

“This season he was particularly outstanding both on and off the pitch and the two awards are more than deserved.”

Tommy saved three penalties during the season – two versus Eastern Suburbs and one against Wanderers – saves which were all vital in Melville securing away points.

He was delighted at being honoured.

“I didn’t think that would ever happen,” he said. “It is quite special.”

However Tommy also said he would be delighted NOT to be winning these awards next year or beyond.

“Hopefully in future we will have more of the Marc Evans-type of goalscoring character winning player of the year rather than a goalkeeper.”

He said the highlight of the season from a team perspective was the resilience of the whole squad in grinding out points.

“Nobody is perfect but I guess I was a 7 out of 10 week in and week out.”

Tommy is the third Melville keeper to have won player of the year behind Neil Mouncher (1995) and Eddie Trubshoe (2004).

Both those players went on to notch over 100 appearances for Melville. Tommy said not being able to complete his hundredth match for Melville was disappointing, but he had no beef with the coaching staff preferring Joe Knowles to start in goal ahead of him in four matches, which otherwise would have got him over the line.

“While I do prefer to play every game, Joe’s opportunity to start was well deserved.”

Before joining Melville, Tommy played nine years as a junior at Bay Olympic and was keeper for Birkenhead U19s which won the Napier tournament in 2010. He also had stints at Wanderers and Three Kings and after a spell overseas and signed with Melville in 2017, having been first choice goalkeeper ever since.

At youth level Tommy started off as a striker before finding he enjoyed goalkeeping.

“It takes special character traits to want to be a keeper. For instance, you can’t be afraid of getting hurt because a big part of the game is putting your head where other people are putting their feet.”

It wasn’t all glory for Tommy in 2021. In the away match against Auckland United he let in a soft goal and reflected on how hard it can be in dealing with making such mistakes as a goalkeeper.

“You stand there and think it hasn’t happened – and then it slowly sinks in. The fact that is was a deciding goal, and not even a proper shot… Sometimes as a keeper you need a kick up the arse.”

Meanwhile 18-year-old left back and centre back Campbell Brown was named Young Player.

This year Brown emerged as one of the leading U-20 defenders in the northern league, continuing his progress following a breakout season last year.

“Campbell is maturing into a fantastic player and a fine young man,” Wilkinson said.

“We saw him add more consistency to his performances this season which is pleasing to see. He’s a very humble and dedicated man and we are looking forward to seeing him kick-on again next year.”

Brown and Logan Wisnewski were the only players to appear in all Melville’s matches in 2021.

Melville Reserves player of the Year was Tyler Ericksen. He made an instant impact for the Melville U-23s in his first season at the club, with his form ultimately earning him a first team debut at home to Bay Olympic.

Dylan Williams, a talented young player who has come through the club’s academy ranks and will look to push into the first team in 2022, was named Most Promising Player.

Reserves team Squad Member was Blake Wisnewski. The popular defender is the first to offer help off the pitch and leads by example on the pitch.

# With no prizegiving possible this year, further team and club awards should be released later in the week.