Swifts collect speedy reward for appointment

Heybridge Swifts vice-chairman Mick Gibson has collected his Ryman North club's early dividend for appointing Cliff Akurang as their new manager.

The former Bishop’s Stortford striker has hit the ground running since taking over at Scraley Road in December and Gibson is pictured collecting Macron's Ryman North Performance of the Month Award for January from Ryman League Vice-Chairman Nick Robinson for his manager's most impressive result to date - a 3-2 win at leaders Harlow Town on the final day of the month, Saturday 31 January.

Gibson, who collected an inscribed glass trophy recording their achievement at the Ryman League's headquarters in Dartford, probably wishes his club could play the league leaders every week after turning into their bogey side.

In inflicting a first home league defeat of the season on the Hawks to win the Macron accolade, Swifts became the first team to win in Ryman North at The Harlow Arena since they recorded a 4-3 victory a year ago!

Heybridge Swifts were crowned as one of January's trio of performance kings alongside Enfield Town in the Ryman's top flight and Whitstable Town in Ryman South.

The Towners and the Oyestermen also recorded stunning victories away from home at title-chasing clubs to win the vote of the monthly competition's judges who consider a shortlist of potential clashes and the form and circumstances behind the performances of the clubs involved.

Back in October, Enfield Town manager Bradley Quinton took the Ryman Premier’s managerial laurels and the Towners won their second monthly Macron award of the campaign for stopping Maidstone United’s assault on the title in its tracks with a 3-0 win at the Gallagher Stadium on Saturday 24 January.

To win Macron's Ryman South accolade, Jim and Danny Ward’s Oystermen ensured Faversham Town lost ground in their pursuit of leaders Burgess Hill Town after a 3-1 win saw them take home all three points from a trip to Salters Lane on Saturday 31 January.

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