Ramps voted players favourite at Surrey Awards Evening

29 September 2009

Around 200 people were present in the England Suite last night for the Club’s End of Season Awards evening.

Young paceman, Stuart Meaker was the star of the show, collecting three awards but it was Mark Ramprakash who picked up the most coveted award of them all, the Players’ Player.

In a new format, the Club integrated its own awards with those of the Surrey Supporters Club and the evening was attended by Club members, staff, players, sponsors and associates. The night started with a Champagne reception in the India Room followed by the Awards presentation which was hosted by Sky Sports’ David Jones.

The presentations were handed out and then it was over to the Club President, Mike Soper to pay tribute to one of Surrey’s finest batsman, Mark Butcher who was forced to retire early due to an ongoing knee injury.

Butcher has been a fine servant to the Club and has been playing for Surrey for the last two decades. In 182 matches, Butcher amassed 12,181 runs at an average of 44.45 including 27 hundreds. One moment he’ll always be remembered for is his match winning innings of 173 not out for England against Australia in the 2001 Ashes series. Despite this incredible moment, those at Surrey will know that he played his part for his County too- An influential character, a true competitor and a leader that will create a huge void in his absence.

Despite not taking the field for the Brown Caps next year, Butcher has reassured Surrey fans that he will not become a stranger to the Brit Oval in his retirement years.

“Don’t worry, I will definitely be back next year. I will be heckling from the stands with a beer in my hand,” he told everyone last night.

A full list of award winners can be seen below.

Bio Synergy Fitness Award- Stewart Walters
Pemberton Greenish Academy Award- Tom Jewell
Marston’s Moment of the Year- 2nd XI Championship
Surrey CCC Supporters Player of the Season- Mark Ramprakash
Most improved player of the season- Stuart Meaker
Young player of the season- Stuart Meaker
Sylvester Clarke Large Rum Moment- Surrey’s LV County Championship win at Northampton
Brit Insurance Batsman of the Year- Mark Ramprakash
Brit Insurance Bowler of the Year- Jade Dernbach
Brit Insurance Young player of the Year- Stuart Meaker
Brit Insurance most improved player of the Year- Stewart Walters
Graham Kersey Team Man of the Year- Jonathan Batty
Player’s Player- Mark Ramprakash

Surrey TV attended the evening and to watch a video of the Awards Evening click on the " Play Video " button in the picture at the top of this article.