Applause as Rocks boss is honoured

Bognor Regis Town manager Jamie Howell won the applause of fans, players and officials at Nyewood Lane when he collected September's Macron Manager of the Month Award.

The Rocks manager was honoured with the Premier Division's accolade before guiding his side to a 2-1 win over Thurrock in the FA Trophy's First Qualifying Round.

Ryman League Vice-Chairman and Company Secretary Nick Robinson, pictured presenting Howell with a glass trophy to mark his achievement before kick off, has no doubts that Macron's latest honour had gone to a deserving winner.

He said: "Jamie is well respected by both his own players and other managers - that is the sign of a good manager. Congratulations to him from everybody involved in the Ryman League and our sponsors Macron."

Howell won the top flight's managerial award after leading his side to five wins out of five in September, with three of the victories coming away from home. The results included a 2-1 success at leaders Kingstonian and progress to the FA Cup's Second Qualifying Round.

He was named at the start of the month alongside VCD Athletic manager Tony Russell who took the Ryman North laurels for the second time this season and Guernsey's Tony Vance who won Macron's Ryman South honour.

The three managers, led by Russell with two awards already in the bag, are now also in the running for the end of season Macron Manager of the Year Awards.