Tigers Members' have voted England and Tigers' lock Ben Kay as their Player of the Season 2001/2.



Kay, who has also been nominated for the Players' Player of the Year in the Professional Rugby Players' Computacenter Awards, and Zurich Premiership's Supporters' Player of the Season, received a massive 46% of all votes cast by Tigers fans. Commenting upon his success Ben said "It's fantastic, if you look at the other names on the trophy I feel a bit out of place with all the quality people that have won the award before me. It was a big surprise; I really thought Lewis Moody was going to get it."

The title of Young player of the Season was retained by Tigers' centre Ollie Smith, who, at only 19 years of age, has already made 39 first team appearances for the club since his debut in August 2000. Ollie was "completely surprised, I thought it would go to Harry Ellis because he's had a cracking season this year, but thanks to the fans for voting for me again. Hopefully I'll continue to play as I have done for the last two seasons and do the same with Leicester in the future".

The Award for Outstanding service was a much tighter affair, with no less than 17 names being put forward in this category. However the fans' favourite turned out to be hooker Richard Cockerill, an appropriate choice in his testimonial season, and the third member of the legendary ABC Club to receive the award.An (almost) speechless Richard said
"It's a fantastic accolade, I'd just like to thank all the fans who voted for me"

The Awards were announced during a Members Evening hosted by Tudor Thomas and Ian Cockerill, in the Tiger Bar at the Club on Thursday night which was attended by most of the first team squad. The trophies were presented by Miss Leah-Anne Hall, who's name was chosen at random from participating voters as a representative of teh Members.

Both Chief Executive Peter Wheeler, and Club Captain Martin Johnson thanked the fans for their support throughout the year, in particular at Nottingham last Sunday, and hoped to see everyone in Cardiff at the end of May.


Note
Previous recipients (in descending chronological order) are:-
Player of the Season: Pat Howard, Austin Healey, Martin Corry, Neil Back and Martin Johnson.

Young Player: Adam Balding, Lewis Moody, Michael Horak, and Eric Miller.

Outstanding Service: Darren Garforth, Graham Rowntree, Stuart Potter and John Wells.