The Yellow Army have voted Connor Lemonheigh-Evans as Torquay United’s 2020/21 Player of the Season, with Adam Randell winning the Young Player of the Season award.
This season’s award was again sponsored by Torbay Weekly, continuing the Club’s partnership with Torbay’s community-focused newspaper, and the Yellow Army responded in their numbers in selecting their winners following a campaign that will live long in the memory of all United supporters.
Manager Gary Johnson gave his reaction to the news, after presenting both players with their awards at Seale Hayne on Thursday morning.
“It’s always a great accolade for players when they’ve played all season, and at the end of it when supporters have voted for you to be Young Player of the Year and Player of the Year,” said Johnson.
“I think if I’d have had a vote myself – which I didn’t, the supporters voted, obviously – I think I’d have voted for the same two. I think there would’ve been a few that would have been close, but those two have been ever-present. Not only have they been ever-present, but they have been involved in most plays that led to a goal, so they have actually affected most games they’ve been involved in, and they are still young.
“When you bring people that are on loan into a football club, you’re never sure whether they buy into it enough. Some do, some don’t, and Adam Randell has been unbelievable for buying into what we are doing. I think he thinks, and I think, and certainly I know Plymouth think that he has become a better player for this loan. He’s a great lad, as is Connor.
“Connor’s quiet, but when it comes to games, he’s a winner. We’ve put him upfront, he’s played in the middle, he’s played wide – Rands has played in different positions as well – but we’ve found a little niche for Connor that he really enjoys. He’s affected games by being a striker at the moment, and hopefully there’s another big medal to come for them pretty soon.
“I’m pleased for them both, they’re great lads, and great footballers.”
Randell, who has enjoyed a marvellous season-long loan from neighbours Plymouth Argyle was both surprised and delighted to receive the fans’ vote.
“It feels amazing. It’s a bit unexpected – I’ve not won something like this before, so it’s an unusual feeling,” began Adam.
“I’m shaking a bit! I feel very good. I’m from Plymouth, and I’m a Plymouth man, but it’s nice to see other local clubs doing well and so when I came, I knew I wanted to put everything I had into the cause of hopefully getting promoted, and I’m glad that people have seen what I can do.
The midfielder also took time to reflect on a season that has seen him occupy a variety of positions in the Gulls line-up.
“I definitely feel like I’ve adapted physically to the challenge, I feel like I use my body now more than I used to. I feel like the tempo of the play is a bit different, it’s quite quick compared, so I’ve had to adapt to that too, but I feel like I’ve coped alright.
“I played right-back before a couple of times when I was younger, and obviously when I was very young I played right mid with my local team before I joined Argyle, so it was in the back of my mind somewhere. I’m obviously buzzing to have won this, but at the same time everyone has worked hard, and the cliché of ‘I couldn’t have done it without them’ is true, and we’re all hoping we can put the effort in, and get the result we all want.”
Lemonheigh-Evans, meanwhile, was already a popular figure with the Yellow Army following three successful loan spells, however a permanent move to Plainmoor last summer heralded his best season so far in United’s colours.
“I’m buzzing, it’s always nice to be recognised for your own individual performances, but to be fair I think there’s a few of the lads could have been up for it and could have won it, they’ve been brilliant.
“I’m chuffed! I think being on loan, it’s hard to settle in and get that flow of being around, but I’ve moved down, my family are down, and everything is better for me. The performances have come, and I’ve tried to get my numbers up, goals, assists, and that’s how it’s gone this year. I’m over the moon to get this award.
The Welshman is another player who has impressed with his versatility over the past few months, however there’s no doubting the current role he occupies in the starting XI has brought out the best in the former Bristol City man.
“I can play in a few different positions, the Gaffer’s played me a bit deeper in the 8, played me higher up as a 10, maybe sometimes as a 9, but my favourite is that number 10, and I’ve just tried to get my numbers up this year – goals and assists – and I’ve managed to do that.
“I’ve enjoyed the season in all to be fair, we’ve had some games, we’ve had some late winners, fans coming back in, it’s been a good season all-in-all, and hopefully we can top it off with promotion.”