Leicester Tigers hosted the best in Leicestershire sport as the Leicester Mercury Sports Awards 2017 celebrated the county’s achievements.

As well as acting as hosts, the club sponsored the evening’s Sportsman of the Year award, and players Ellis Genge – a finalist in the Sportsman category – and Matt Smith presented the Team of the Year award which was won by the Leicester Riders basketball club after their treble-winning season.

The awards evening was presented by sports broadcaster Mark ‘Clem’ Clemmit and ITV weather presenter Emma Jesson.

Two lucky Tigers season ticket holders – Mark Buglass and Richard Bind from Leicester –
shared in the evening as part of our Season Ticket Extras competition. 

Mark said: “What a huge treat for us. We’re both huge Tigers fans and have been season ticket holders for many years. It’s the first time we’ve been to an event like this and it’s great to see people from all sports being celebrated.”

Richard added: “I used to play for Syston and when I finished with them my wife asked, ‘What we shall do now?’ so we started coming down to the Tigers and have loved every minute of it since. It was Mark who won the places so huge thanks to him and Tigers for having us.”

Leicester Tigers partners Everards, Fischer Future Heat and Global Payments were also among the sponsors of the evening’s awards.