Kieran MacDonald is star man at Raith Rovers Awards Evening

The left back, who has proved to be a smash hit in his first season at Stark’s Park, took three of the eight awards up for grabs on the night, which was broadcast live on the Raith TV YouTube channel.

Other winners were Regan Hendry, who came top in two categories, Kieron Bowie, Dylan Tait and Lewis Vaughan.

Hosted by the club’s media officer the first award was Young Player of the Year. Chosen by Rovers’ boss John McGlynn, the winner was Kieron Bowie whose performances over the course of the season earned him a move to English Championship side Fulham.

McGlynn said: “He was living the dream. He’s a Raith Rovers fan, he was on the terraces with his grandad watching the games.

“He got an opportunity to come in and like every fan would do, he worked his socks off. And he got better.

“He produced some great performances and scored some great goals. We ended up with more scouts in the stand at Stark’s Park than we’ve seen for many a long day.

“I’m delighted that he’s got a move to Fulham and want to congratulate him on this award.

“It’s very well deserved.”

In accepting his award teenager Bowie paid tribute to his team mates saying “I wouldn’t have got this award without them”.

He added: “I want to thank the supporters as well. Just for getting behind the team and getting behind us all season long.

“I will hopefully see you again soon.”

The next award was the Malcolm Szpera award, which is given to the player who has made the most improvement in the face of adversity.

Once again it was chosen by John McGlynn who picked Rovers teenager Dylan Tait.

“Dylan has had a couple of setbacks along the way,” McGlynn said, “he was at Motherwell for three years or so and he was released.

“When he was 15 he had one season at Partick Thistle and unfortunately it didn’t work out there. He then arrived at the Fife Elite academy in August 2018.

“He’s from Glasgow so there was a lot of travelling for his mum going backwards and forwards when he was playing in our reserves as well as the Elite.

“There was a lot of upheaval and sacrifice for his family but we saw enough in him to give him a contract.

“However, did we expect to see the improvement that we got? No, probably not.

“For this award, we’ve got the setbacks, we’ve got the endeavour and we’ve also got the ability. That’s been shining through the minute he started training with the first team.

“He’s come through quite a lot but he’s kept his spirits high.

“He’s only 18 and he’s excellent. A very deserving winner of this award.”
Tait said he was “buzzing” to have won.

“I want to thank the gaffer for choosing me.

“I’ve put in a lot of hard work over the past year and it’s obviously paying off with the opportunities in the first team.

“The boys in the team have helped me settle in as well which has made things a lot easier.

“Hopefully we can have a good year next season.”

Rovers chairman Bill Clark announced the winner of the Goal of the Season category which was voted for by the fans.

They picked Lewis Vaughan’s stunning strike against Peterhead in a 4-0 home win in September.

The striker thanked the fans for picking his goal and said: “It was my first game back after injury so to get back on the pitch and score a goal meant a lot to me.

“To be back in the Championship is amazing and I’m looking forward to getting back and playing soon.”

John McGlynn once again picked the winner of the next category and he gave the nod to Kieran MacDonald in Best Individual Performance category for his display in the New Year derby cracker against East Fife where the 26-year-old scored twice in a 5-3 win at Bayview.

McGlynn said: “His performance was excellent.

“To get two goals from left back was excellent. He’s put in performances like that all season but that was the one that sticks out for me.”

MacDonald said: “It’s always great to play well in a match, it’s even more special to play well and score in a derby match.

“I’m very grateful for this award.”

Once again, the Rovers faithful voted for the next category, Supporter’s Player of the Year which was introduced by director Andy Mill.

The fans’ vote went to midfielder Regan Hendry.

“I’m delighted, this means a lot to me,” the 22-year-old said.

“The supporters were a large part for me coming back after then support they showed me in my first two [loan] spells.

“In my second spell I was injured for a large part of it but I was getting messages all the time asking ne how I was and when I would be back.

“To have that support then, and to have that support now, means a lot to me. I thank them for that, it’s helped me to become a better player.

“I’m glad that me and the boys could repay them by getting back to the Championship.”

Next up was the Fife Free Press Star Check Award, introduced by FFP Sports Editor Matthew Elder, which was won by a single point by Kieran MacDonald, narrowly beating second-placed Regan Hendry.

“It’s recognition for how well this group of boys have done over the season,” the defender said.

“To beat Regan by just a point shows how good the performances have been this year by everybody, so thank you for this award.”

The penultimate award of the evening was the Manager’s Player of the Season, with gaffer McGlynn picking Regan Hendry as his star man.

“This was a hard decision,” he said, “a lot of players have had a great season.

“We are a possession team, a passing team, and you need the players on the pitch that are able to do that,” he said.

“Regan is instrumental at taking the ball from the back and building the attacks, splitting defences with passes and spraying the ball wide.

“He plays the game personally as I like to see it played. He’s a key player and put in outstanding performances, particularly in the big games.

“The goal he scored against Partick Thistle was so composed. The high level he plays to is fantastic.

“Congratulations Regan!”

Hendry said: “Thanks to the manager. It was mainly down to him that we had the season we did.

“He put a lot of trust and belief into the squad which allowed us to play the football we did this year.

“Personally I feel I’ve become a better player this year and that’s down to him and Smudger (assistant manager, Paul Smith) for having that belief in me.”

The final award of the evening would cap off a night to remember for Kieran MacDonald as his team mates voted him the Players’ Player of the Year.

After thanking them he said: “We’ve a lot of good players in that dressing room and they are a great bunch of boys.

“We all work hard for each other. I probably wouldn’t have won this award without Bene (Kyle Benedictus) doing all my defending for me!”

He added: “I’m glad we can all now celebrate winning this league.”

The ceremony is available to watch on the Raith TV YouTube channel.