August 2026 Player of the Month announced
Fri 18th September 2026 | League Awards | By Martin Fallon
The Winners of the Player of the Month Awards for August 2026 have been announced by the NWCFL.
PREMIER DIVISION
The North West Counties League Premier Division Player of the Month Award for August 2026 has gone to Toby Green of Prestwich Heys. This is the second time that he has won this award after picking it up in February 2025 when playing for Stockport Town. It is the first win for Prestwich since Jamie Hill won it in January 2020.
Toby came through the ranks at Stockport County where he progressed to their National League U19 Alliance team before moving to Stockport Town ahead of the 2021/22 season. After two seasons he switched to Droylsden and then Abbey Hey before returning to Stockport Town in for the 2024/25 season. He remained there until they dropped out of the league last season with Prestwich moving quickly to get his signature at the start of this season.
The opening day of the season was one of disappointment for Heys as they went down 4-1 at Burscough. Toby did his bit on the day, winning Man of the Match for his team including an assist for Louis Holt's goal. The frustration continued with a 1-1 draw against Barnoldswick Town, Toby again getting an assist for Heys' goal when his corner was was met by captain James Badrock to score. He also went close to a winner with three minutes remaining, his free kick rebounding off the post.
The FA Cup was next, Toby helping his side to their first clean sheet of the season with a 2-0 win. And next up was Heys' first league win of the season as they beat Glossop North End 2-0, Toby winning his second Man of the Match award with a hand in both goals. The first saw him set up right back Reece Higgins, whose strike gave him his first senior goal. The second saw him convert a penalty to put his side two goals ahead.
Next was another FA Cup game at Runcorn Town. Toby got his name on the scoresheet here for the second game running when he fired in a shot from twelve yards to make it 2-0, Heys going on to win 3-1. The final game was a 1-1 draw with Charnock Richard, with Toby again winning Man of the Match for his performance. After Heys' early goal, Toby went close to a second when he struck the post, and set up several opportunities for teammates throughout the game.
He played six games in total, winning Man of the Match in three of the four league games he played and scoring twice.
Congratulations Toby!
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
The First Division North Player of the Month for August 2026 goes to Adam Smith of Cammell Laird 1907, the first time Adam has won this award. We have to go back to September 2019 for the last Lairds winner, that being Kyle Sambor.
Adam came through at West Cheshire League side Mersey Royal before moving to Vauxhall Motors in 2022. He helped them to promotion from the NWCFL and consolidate their position in the Northern Premier League before switching to Buckley Town. Whilst at Buckley he was named in the JD Cymru Leagues North Team of the Season for the 2024/25 campaign. He moved back to the NWCFL with Cammell Laird 1907 last season where he is now an integral part of the team.
In the opening game of the month away at Thornton Cleveleys, Adam caused the home defence problems all afternoon, leading to winning Man of the Match in the game. He opened the scoring after being put clear and slotting past the keeper, then grabbed his second of the game when he chased a long ball over the top and again slotted home. Lairds were unable to hold on though with Thornton hitting back to win 3-2.
A trip to Flixton was next with the home side 2-0 ahead before Lairds made a comeback. Adam hit the equalising goal when he pounced on a mistake at the back just after half time and slotted home, before hitting the winner with four minutes remaining. This was a cross from the right that Adam brought down before finding the top corner.
Adam helped his side to a 2-0 win at home to Squires Gate next, before collecting his second Man of the Match award of the season in a 1-1 draw at AFC Blackpool. Two became three as he won another Man of the Match in his next game, a 3-0 win at home to AFC Knowsley. There were no goals or assists for Adam in these games, but his tireless running caused problems throughout which his team capitalised on.
The next game in the month saw Lairds win 3-2 at home to Fulwood Amateurs. Adam again impressed, winning his third successive Man of the Match and fourth in six league games. He levelled the scores at 1-1 on the stroke of half time with a superb header, and continued to be a nuisance to the visiting defence all afternoon. The last game of the month saw Lairds win 2-1 at Ashton Athletic.
In total, six games for Adam, all of which were in the league, with four Man of the Match wins and five goals scored.
Congratulations to Adam on a fine month.
FIRST DIVISION SOUTH
The First Division South Player of the Month for August 2026 goes to forward Nicky Parker of Eccleshall.
This is the second successive award for Nicky, who won this award for Eccleshall in April last season. Nicky is a prolific goalscorer who scored 33 goals in 59 games for Market Drayton Town before switching to Eccleshall at the start of last season. He hit 20 goals last season, helping Eccleshall finish as Runners Up in the league before they heartbreakingly lost in the Play-Off Final on penalties. He has previously played for former NWCFL side Whitchurch Alport in the Midland League, as well as Prees United in the Shropshire County League.
The first game in saw Eccleshall win 3-1 at home to newcomers Widnes Town. Nicky caused problems for the visiting defence throughout and scored the second goal of the game to put his side 2-0 up and give them some breathing space. His performance led to him winning Man of the Match in this game.
Eccleshall's first clean sheet of the season came next in midweek with a 4-0 win at Allscott Heath. Nicky was again instrumental in the victory as he caused problems all night for Allscott. He opened the scoring just after the half hour and added a second before the break. He then set up teammate Levi Hunter at the start of the second half to make it three, allowing Eccleshall to take their foot off the gas a little. Once again he won Man of the Match.
Barnton defeated Eccleshall in Nicky's next game 2-1, before they bounced back with a 2-1 win of their own at Wolverhampton Casuals. No goals for Nicky in these two games, but he did set up Morgan Russell for the winner in the Wolves game just after half time, his overall performance again seeing him win Man of the Match.
Another 4-0 win followed with victory over Allscott Heath again, this time in the FA Vase. Nicky was on target for the second goal in this game as his side progressed to the next round. Nicky's final game of the month came with a 3-2 home loss to Wednesfield Community. After going three goals down, Eccleshall rallied with Nicky's fifth goal of the season getting them back into it, but they couldn't force a draw.
Six games for Nicky in the month, five of which was in the league where he won Man of the Match four times. He also scored five goals in the month.
Congratulations Nicky!
August 2026 Player of the Month announced
Fri 18th September 2026 | League Awards
By Martin Fallon
The Winners of the Player of the Month Awards for August 2026 have been announced by the NWCFL.
PREMIER DIVISION
The North West Counties League Premier Division Player of the Month Award for August 2026 has gone to Toby Green of Prestwich Heys. This is the second time that he has won this award after picking it up in February 2025 when playing for Stockport Town. It is the first win for Prestwich since Jamie Hill won it in January 2020.
Toby came through the ranks at Stockport County where he progressed to their National League U19 Alliance team before moving to Stockport Town ahead of the 2021/22 season. After two seasons he switched to Droylsden and then Abbey Hey before returning to Stockport Town in for the 2024/25 season. He remained there until they dropped out of the league last season with Prestwich moving quickly to get his signature at the start of this season.
The opening day of the season was one of disappointment for Heys as they went down 4-1 at Burscough. Toby did his bit on the day, winning Man of the Match for his team including an assist for Louis Holt's goal. The frustration continued with a 1-1 draw against Barnoldswick Town, Toby again getting an assist for Heys' goal when his corner was was met by captain James Badrock to score. He also went close to a winner with three minutes remaining, his free kick rebounding off the post.
The FA Cup was next, Toby helping his side to their first clean sheet of the season with a 2-0 win. And next up was Heys' first league win of the season as they beat Glossop North End 2-0, Toby winning his second Man of the Match award with a hand in both goals. The first saw him set up right back Reece Higgins, whose strike gave him his first senior goal. The second saw him convert a penalty to put his side two goals ahead.
Next was another FA Cup game at Runcorn Town. Toby got his name on the scoresheet here for the second game running when he fired in a shot from twelve yards to make it 2-0, Heys going on to win 3-1. The final game was a 1-1 draw with Charnock Richard, with Toby again winning Man of the Match for his performance. After Heys' early goal, Toby went close to a second when he struck the post, and set up several opportunities for teammates throughout the game.
He played six games in total, winning Man of the Match in three of the four league games he played and scoring twice.
Congratulations Toby!
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
The First Division North Player of the Month for August 2026 goes to Adam Smith of Cammell Laird 1907, the first time Adam has won this award. We have to go back to September 2019 for the last Lairds winner, that being Kyle Sambor.
Adam came through at West Cheshire League side Mersey Royal before moving to Vauxhall Motors in 2022. He helped them to promotion from the NWCFL and consolidate their position in the Northern Premier League before switching to Buckley Town. Whilst at Buckley he was named in the JD Cymru Leagues North Team of the Season for the 2024/25 campaign. He moved back to the NWCFL with Cammell Laird 1907 last season where he is now an integral part of the team.
In the opening game of the month away at Thornton Cleveleys, Adam caused the home defence problems all afternoon, leading to winning Man of the Match in the game. He opened the scoring after being put clear and slotting past the keeper, then grabbed his second of the game when he chased a long ball over the top and again slotted home. Lairds were unable to hold on though with Thornton hitting back to win 3-2.
A trip to Flixton was next with the home side 2-0 ahead before Lairds made a comeback. Adam hit the equalising goal when he pounced on a mistake at the back just after half time and slotted home, before hitting the winner with four minutes remaining. This was a cross from the right that Adam brought down before finding the top corner.
Adam helped his side to a 2-0 win at home to Squires Gate next, before collecting his second Man of the Match award of the season in a 1-1 draw at AFC Blackpool. Two became three as he won another Man of the Match in his next game, a 3-0 win at home to AFC Knowsley. There were no goals or assists for Adam in these games, but his tireless running caused problems throughout which his team capitalised on.
The next game in the month saw Lairds win 3-2 at home to Fulwood Amateurs. Adam again impressed, winning his third successive Man of the Match and fourth in six league games. He levelled the scores at 1-1 on the stroke of half time with a superb header, and continued to be a nuisance to the visiting defence all afternoon. The last game of the month saw Lairds win 2-1 at Ashton Athletic.
In total, six games for Adam, all of which were in the league, with four Man of the Match wins and five goals scored.
Congratulations to Adam on a fine month.
FIRST DIVISION SOUTH
The First Division South Player of the Month for August 2026 goes to forward Nicky Parker of Eccleshall.
This is the second successive award for Nicky, who won this award for Eccleshall in April last season. Nicky is a prolific goalscorer who scored 33 goals in 59 games for Market Drayton Town before switching to Eccleshall at the start of last season. He hit 20 goals last season, helping Eccleshall finish as Runners Up in the league before they heartbreakingly lost in the Play-Off Final on penalties. He has previously played for former NWCFL side Whitchurch Alport in the Midland League, as well as Prees United in the Shropshire County League.
The first game in saw Eccleshall win 3-1 at home to newcomers Widnes Town. Nicky caused problems for the visiting defence throughout and scored the second goal of the game to put his side 2-0 up and give them some breathing space. His performance led to him winning Man of the Match in this game.
Eccleshall's first clean sheet of the season came next in midweek with a 4-0 win at Allscott Heath. Nicky was again instrumental in the victory as he caused problems all night for Allscott. He opened the scoring just after the half hour and added a second before the break. He then set up teammate Levi Hunter at the start of the second half to make it three, allowing Eccleshall to take their foot off the gas a little. Once again he won Man of the Match.
Barnton defeated Eccleshall in Nicky's next game 2-1, before they bounced back with a 2-1 win of their own at Wolverhampton Casuals. No goals for Nicky in these two games, but he did set up Morgan Russell for the winner in the Wolves game just after half time, his overall performance again seeing him win Man of the Match.
Another 4-0 win followed with victory over Allscott Heath again, this time in the FA Vase. Nicky was on target for the second goal in this game as his side progressed to the next round. Nicky's final game of the month came with a 3-2 home loss to Wednesfield Community. After going three goals down, Eccleshall rallied with Nicky's fifth goal of the season getting them back into it, but they couldn't force a draw.
Six games for Nicky in the month, five of which was in the league where he won Man of the Match four times. He also scored five goals in the month.
Congratulations Nicky!
