First Division North Manager of the Year
Wed 24th June 2026 | League Awards | By
Nelson Manager Arron Ripley has been named as the First Division North Manager of the Year after guiding his side to the league title. He was presented with his award by Martin Fallon at Saturday's Annual Awards Presentation.
It was a very close run thing for this award with Dave Pace marginally in second place after guiding his Droylsden side to promotion and winning the Manchester Premier Cup. Arron was appointed for a second time in August, and hit the ground running with an unbeaten run of 20 games, with 16 wins in that sequence.
There was a slight blip before an after Christmas as Nelson bowed out of three cups and lost three league games, but he ended the season as he started with Nelson undefeated in their final 16 league games, winning 13 of them.
Nelson also reached the Semi Finals of both the Macron Cup and Edward Case Cup, as well as setting a club record by reaching the Fourth Round of the FA Vase.
In total, he oversaw 49 games this season, winning a superb 32 of them and losing just nine. They scored 119 goals and kept 16 clean sheets.
Speaking of his award, Arron said “I am absolutely honoured and humbled to receive the NWCFL Division One North Manager of the Year award for the 2025/26 season.
“To be recognised in this way, having stepped back into the role in September, makes it all the more special, and none of it would have been possible without the people of Nelson FC around me.
“First and foremost, I want to sincerely thank Chris, Stuart and Rob for giving me a second opportunity at Nelson FC. That trust and belief meant everything, and I hope this season has repaid every bit of faith they placed in me.
“To the players, your commitment, your application and your willingness to give everything I asked of you this season has been extraordinary. You are the ones who won this league title, and I couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of you.
“Finally, to my coaching team, Liam, Jordan, Martin, Steve and Geoff, thank you for standing alongside me through every high and every low this season. Your support has been unwavering, and this award belongs to all of us."
First Division North Manager of the Year
Wed 24th June 2026 | League Awards
By
Nelson Manager Arron Ripley has been named as the First Division North Manager of the Year after guiding his side to the league title. He was presented with his award by Martin Fallon at Saturday's Annual Awards Presentation.
It was a very close run thing for this award with Dave Pace marginally in second place after guiding his Droylsden side to promotion and winning the Manchester Premier Cup. Arron was appointed for a second time in August, and hit the ground running with an unbeaten run of 20 games, with 16 wins in that sequence.
There was a slight blip before an after Christmas as Nelson bowed out of three cups and lost three league games, but he ended the season as he started with Nelson undefeated in their final 16 league games, winning 13 of them.
Nelson also reached the Semi Finals of both the Macron Cup and Edward Case Cup, as well as setting a club record by reaching the Fourth Round of the FA Vase.
In total, he oversaw 49 games this season, winning a superb 32 of them and losing just nine. They scored 119 goals and kept 16 clean sheets.
Speaking of his award, Arron said “I am absolutely honoured and humbled to receive the NWCFL Division One North Manager of the Year award for the 2025/26 season.
“To be recognised in this way, having stepped back into the role in September, makes it all the more special, and none of it would have been possible without the people of Nelson FC around me.
“First and foremost, I want to sincerely thank Chris, Stuart and Rob for giving me a second opportunity at Nelson FC. That trust and belief meant everything, and I hope this season has repaid every bit of faith they placed in me.
“To the players, your commitment, your application and your willingness to give everything I asked of you this season has been extraordinary. You are the ones who won this league title, and I couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of you.
“Finally, to my coaching team, Liam, Jordan, Martin, Steve and Geoff, thank you for standing alongside me through every high and every low this season. Your support has been unwavering, and this award belongs to all of us."
