In possibly our closest run Player of the Month vote yet, midfielder Lee Gavin has emerged as the fan’s pick for best performer over the course of December 2018 with 33% of the vote.

Lee’s reintroduction to regular football following struggle with injury has coincided with West’s best form of the season, taking 4 wins out of the past 5 games – which has also included 3 clean sheets. This has been due in no small part to his unique combative style in the middle of the park being able to break down play, while his vision and distribution has given a platform for attacking players such as Ashley Leather (who finished second in the poll) to build on. During December, West scored 15 goals while only conceding 4: an incredible team effort that was reflected in the relatively even spread amongst all the nominees for this vote.

Lee missed only one game over the course of the month – the 3-0 loss at Bootle – and also managed to score the second goal of new manager David Powell’s reign as he capitalised on a cross-cum-shot from fellow nominee Ciaran Kilheeney to ghost in at the far post and set up a commanding lead away at Whitchurch Alport.

A much loved fixture at the club who endeared himself further to fans last season by making the journey to AFC Blackpool away as part of the travelling support while ruled out through injury, it is a pleasure to see him back at his best at Brookburn Road. Congratulations to Lee Gavin – a worthy winner of our final award of 2018.