Hand it to Kyle

Souce: Manchester Evening News

Tony Glennon

August 07, 2009

KYLE Wilson has double cause for celebration as he prepares to re-launch his Coca-Cola League career with Macclesfield.

The FC United skipper's sensational goalscoring exploits with the rebel Reds last term, which led to him being snapped up by Macc in May, have now landed him MEN Sport's coveted Greater Manchester non-League player-of-the- season award in association with Bargain Booze.

The one-time Crewe starlet's remarkable record of 24 goals in just 32 FC appearances made him the unanimous choice of our judging panel featuring M.E.N. Sport editor Pete Spencer and non-League soccer writer Tony Glennon.

He'll now receive £500, plus a bottle of champagne, after beating off strong competition from Salford City's Steve Foster and Glossop North End's Jason Gorton to secure the award won 12 months ago by Altrincham's veteran front man Colin Little.

And one lucky MEN reader, Peter Shaw, of Greenfield, Oldham, will join Kyle in cracking open the bubbly after his selection was chosen by our judges from among the hundreds backing the 23-year-old Wirral-based ace, son of former Stalybridge Celtic boss Phil Wilson, to top our 12-strong shortlist of candidates published in June.

Peter, who also gets a VIP trip to an FC United game, where he will team up with Bargain Booze's head of marketing, Mat Leach, to present Wilson with his prize, wrote: "My vote is firmly with Kyle. His performances for FC United were a superb mix of individual skill and willingness to contribute to the team.

"Had he not missed the last three months of the season through injury, he would have easily been the UniBond premier division's top scorer by a bigger margin.

"His efforts attracted the attention of a number of League clubs, resulting in him joining Macclesfield.

"All the very best, Kyle - I'm sure you'll be a big hit at Moss Rose."

Wilson's joy at scooping the award is matched by his determination to make his mark with Macc.

He said: "I'm delighted to have earned the recognition of the MEN and its readers and so grateful to FC United for giving me a leg-up back into the League.

"FC are a great club and I enjoyed my time with them so much, but I've wanted to return to the pro game ever since leaving Crewe.

"As a player, you always want to test yourself against the best opposition, so joining Macclesfield was an opportunity I simply couldn't pass up.

"I'm indebted to Macc's manager, Keith Alexander, for giving me a second chance to prove myself in the League. I had no hesitation signing for him when I heard he was interested in me."

Wilson, now back to full fitness after recovering from knee surgery, insists he's setting himself no targets other than to force himself into Macc's League Two starting line-up.

He added: "All I want is a chance to get into the Macc side, get playing well from the start and see what happens."

Silkmen boss Alexander has no doubts about Wilson's potential, saying: "I saw him play several times last season and believe he has the ability to make the step-up to our level.

"He is desperate to show he can hold his own in the League and, as scoring goals was our problem last season, Kyle has a chance to make his mark."

FC United manager Karl Marginson, himself a former Macclesfield player, is also backing Wilson to shine.

He said: "I shudder to think how many goals Kyle would have finished up with for us had his season not been cut short.

"But let's not forget his general play was also outstanding, making him a worthy winner of the MEN's prestigious non-League player-of-the-season award.

"It came as no surprise when Macc came in for Kyle and, much as we're sorry to lose him, I'm sure he'll be a big success there."