Marcos Ayerza capped his Testimonial Year with Leicester Tigers by being crowned the supporters' Player of the Year at the DX Awards Night on Tuesday.More than 400 supporters joined the senior squad and team management for the presentations at Welford Road, with prop Ayerza picking up the coveted Player of the Year trophy.
Ayerza is coming to the end of his ninth season with Tigers and passed 200 appearances for the club during 2014/15.
He polled the most votes among supporters, ahead of fellow nominees Sam Harrison, Graham Kitchener, Julian Salvi, Mathew Tait and Owen Williams.
Ayerza, who also picked up the Outstanding Service Award last season, said: “It is an honour to play for this club for many reasons, and one of them is the support for the team at home and away. I take a lot of pride every time I wear the Tigers shirt and I thank everyone who voted.”
Fly-half Freddie Burns was the supporters' choice as Newcomer of the Year, while 21-year-old hooker Harry Thacker was named Young Player of the Year.
Try of the Year, voted for by supporters at Awards Night, went to hooker Tom Youngs for a score against the Scarlets in the European Champions Cup set up by his brother Ben.
Long-serving lock Louis Deacon, who made 274 appearances for Tigers as part of a squad that won six Premiership titles and became champions of Europe twice before announcing his retirement earlier this season, received a standing ovation as he collected the Outstanding Service Award.
Twice named Players’ Player of the Year, Deacon said: “It was a dream for me and my brother Brett to play for the club and every game was a highlight, just getting in the changing room, hearing the crowd outside, walking down that tunnel to the pitch.
“I never took it for granted playing for the team and I relished every game for the club.”
The Fan of the Year award was won by Shaun Gibson, nominated for his loyal support, his work with supporter groups on social media and his generosity in helping others.
Fan of the Year nominations were made by fellow supporters and reduced to a shortlist of three by a panel of judges, recognising commitment and loyalty to the club. Gibson was joined among the final three nominations by Eddy Crowe and Ian Cockerill.
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