February 2026 Player of the Month announced
Tue 17th March 2026 | League Awards | By Martin Fallon
The Winners of the Player of the Month Awards for February 2026 have been announced by the NWCFL.
PREMIER DIVISION
The North West Counties League Premier Division Player of the Month Award for February 2026 has gone to Lewis-Simon Byrne of Chadderton. This is the second time this season that Lewis-Simon has won this award having won it in July/August, and his third time winning it overall.
Lewis first signed for Chadderton at the start of last season after playing for the previous three seasons in the First Division North at Bacup Borough. His performances and earned him a move to Bury where he scored 11 goals to help them to the Premier Division title, and he also finished last season as the Premier Division Leading Goalscoerer. It is a crown that he is obviously proud of as this season he is once again the leading scorer in the division, and by some distance.
Even by the high standards that he sets himself, February has been an incredible month for Lewis. Five games played, he scored in each of them. But not just one. He scored 11 in total, including five in one game!
The opening game of the month saw a trip to West Didsbury & Chorlton. In a close game with Chadderton winning 2-1, they won a penalty with four minutes remaining which Lewis converted to give his side breathing space. Chadderton won the game 3-2.
Next for Lewis was a home game against Litherland REMYCA, with Lewis scoring both goals in a 2-0 win. He opened the scoring in this one just after the half hour with another well taken penalty, and with five minutes of the first half remaining, he doubled the lead as he got clear of the defence and rounded the goalkeeper before slotting home.
The next game at Longridge Town was the highlight of the month. Chadderton got awarded another penalty in just the second minute of the game for a fould on Lewis which he got up and dispatched himself. And just a minute later he had another when he chased down an attempted clearance by the keeper, won the ball and slotted home. His hat-trick came on 20 minutes with a trademark goal. Put through one on one, he made no mistake with a cool finish. He was not content yet though, as seven minutes into the second half a patient, passing move involving the whole team culminated in his fourth of the game. His fifth goal of the game came just after the hour, with Chadderton winning 7-1. Unsurprisingly Lewis won Man of the Match in this game.
Burscough was next, with Lewis opening the scoring on 23 minutes after he was put through. This set them on their way to a 3-0 win.
The final game was against Wythenshawe at home, with Lewis again opening the scoring with a tap in after Benito Lowe's shot struck the post. His second came midway through the first half, again from the penalty spot, with that being his 50th goal of the season in all competitions. Chadderton went on to win 3-2.
Congratulations Lewis!
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
The First Division North Player of the Month for January 2026 goes to Liam Clegg of Garstang. This is the first time Liam has won this award and the second this season for Garstang after Andrew Murphy won it in September.
The 25-year old came through the ranks at Preston North End, and also represented Lancashire Schoolboys as a youngster. After his release from Deepdale, he joined Clitheroe, initially in their Under 21's side before progressing through to the First Team playing in the Northern Premier League. He played six games for Garstang in 2022/23 season, before moving there full time at the start of the 2024/25 season, and has since made over 50 appearances for the club.
The first game of February for Liam was at Steeton, where he opened the scoring on 19 minutes when he held off the defender and found the corner. On the hour, Liam scored his second goal of the game, this time a perfectly executed lob from the edge of the box to extend the lead. The game finished 2-2 with Liam awarded Man of the Match for his performance in the game.
The mid-month bad weather then hit with home games against Daisy Hill and AFC Blackpool both postponed, with Garstang leading against Squires Gate in another game through a Liam Clegg goal before the game was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch.
The second game was therefore Ashton Athletic at home, with Liam threading an excellent through ball to teammate Bobby Carter who slotted home the opener on seven minutes. And on 13 minutes he was at it again, whipping in a ball for Steven Mercer to head home to double the lead. Garstang won 2-1 with Liam denied another Man of the Match due to the performance of keeper Joe Lawton who kept Ashton at bay, particularly in the second half.
Garstang's third and final game of the month came as part of the NWCFL Groundhop in the derby game at Fulwood Amateurs. Fulwood were two goals ahead after just seven minutes, but Garstang came back to draw 2-2. Liam got no goals or assists this time, however his performance in helping his side to come back from two goals down led to him winning yet another Man of the Match, his fifth in the last seven league games which certainly shows his form at this time.
Congratulations to Liam on a fine month.
FIRST DIVISION SOUTH
The First Division South Player of the Month for January 2026 goes to Jayden Bailey-Hunter of Stafford Town. This is the first time that Jayden has won this award and the second time this season that a Stafford Town player has won this award after Matthew Hearsey in October.
The 23-year old forward first played in the NWCFL for Rocester back in 2021/22 before moving to Newcastle Town ahead of the 2022/23 season. He moved to Stafford Town at the start of the 2023/24 season, scoring 35 goals in 59 appearances over the next two seasons. At the start of this season he moved to Boldmere St Michaels then Sporting Khalsa, but returned to Stafford Town in January.
His first game in his second spell for Stafford came in the first game in February at home to Cheadle Heath Nomads, and his impact was immediate. On 11 minutes, his ball down the right led to the cross from which Scott Wilding opened the scoring. He almost levelled in stoppage time with a fierce shot that was palmed away, with Cheadle claiming the win.
Next was a trip to league leaders Runcorn Town, with Jayden driving into the box just after the half hour and squaring the ball for James Rowland to score. It proved the highlight of the night for Stafford with Runcorn coming from behind to win 6-1, with Jayden claiming Man of the Match for his hard working performance on the night.
A home game with Stockport Georgians followed, and again goals were plentiful as Georgians won 6-4! Trailing 2-1 at the break, Jayden got forward down the right and crossed low with the ball deflected into the net for an own goal. And on 59 minutes, he received a ball in the box before spinning and finding the bottom corner. Another goal, with his performance merited with a second successive Man of the Match.
The fourth game was Barnton at home, with the Cheshire side leading 2-0 at the break. Jayden was instrumental in dragging Stafford back into the game, winning a penalty on 56 minutes before getting up and firing home. Then on the hour, he got into the box before shooting, his shot deflecting off two defenders and into the net for the equaliser. He also found the net late on with the referee blowing for a foul, with the scores finishing 2-2. Yet again he won Man of the Match here, plus another goal and assist.
At Telford Town in game five, Jayden put his side ahead on 34 minutes when he brought down a corner before firing home. He also set in motion the move that led to the second goal from Dimitri Dunkley, with Stafford winning 2-0. The final game was at home to Market Drayton Town. Jayden hit the post with a fierce shot just after the half hour, with Stafford running out 3-0 winners.
Six games in the month for Jayden after his return, with three Man of the Match wins, three goals and five assists.
Congratulations Jayden!
February 2026 Player of the Month announced
Tue 17th March 2026 | League Awards
By Martin Fallon
The Winners of the Player of the Month Awards for February 2026 have been announced by the NWCFL.
PREMIER DIVISION
The North West Counties League Premier Division Player of the Month Award for February 2026 has gone to Lewis-Simon Byrne of Chadderton. This is the second time this season that Lewis-Simon has won this award having won it in July/August, and his third time winning it overall.
Lewis first signed for Chadderton at the start of last season after playing for the previous three seasons in the First Division North at Bacup Borough. His performances and earned him a move to Bury where he scored 11 goals to help them to the Premier Division title, and he also finished last season as the Premier Division Leading Goalscoerer. It is a crown that he is obviously proud of as this season he is once again the leading scorer in the division, and by some distance.
Even by the high standards that he sets himself, February has been an incredible month for Lewis. Five games played, he scored in each of them. But not just one. He scored 11 in total, including five in one game!
The opening game of the month saw a trip to West Didsbury & Chorlton. In a close game with Chadderton winning 2-1, they won a penalty with four minutes remaining which Lewis converted to give his side breathing space. Chadderton won the game 3-2.
Next for Lewis was a home game against Litherland REMYCA, with Lewis scoring both goals in a 2-0 win. He opened the scoring in this one just after the half hour with another well taken penalty, and with five minutes of the first half remaining, he doubled the lead as he got clear of the defence and rounded the goalkeeper before slotting home.
The next game at Longridge Town was the highlight of the month. Chadderton got awarded another penalty in just the second minute of the game for a fould on Lewis which he got up and dispatched himself. And just a minute later he had another when he chased down an attempted clearance by the keeper, won the ball and slotted home. His hat-trick came on 20 minutes with a trademark goal. Put through one on one, he made no mistake with a cool finish. He was not content yet though, as seven minutes into the second half a patient, passing move involving the whole team culminated in his fourth of the game. His fifth goal of the game came just after the hour, with Chadderton winning 7-1. Unsurprisingly Lewis won Man of the Match in this game.
Burscough was next, with Lewis opening the scoring on 23 minutes after he was put through. This set them on their way to a 3-0 win.
The final game was against Wythenshawe at home, with Lewis again opening the scoring with a tap in after Benito Lowe's shot struck the post. His second came midway through the first half, again from the penalty spot, with that being his 50th goal of the season in all competitions. Chadderton went on to win 3-2.
Congratulations Lewis!
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
The First Division North Player of the Month for January 2026 goes to Liam Clegg of Garstang. This is the first time Liam has won this award and the second this season for Garstang after Andrew Murphy won it in September.
The 25-year old came through the ranks at Preston North End, and also represented Lancashire Schoolboys as a youngster. After his release from Deepdale, he joined Clitheroe, initially in their Under 21's side before progressing through to the First Team playing in the Northern Premier League. He played six games for Garstang in 2022/23 season, before moving there full time at the start of the 2024/25 season, and has since made over 50 appearances for the club.
The first game of February for Liam was at Steeton, where he opened the scoring on 19 minutes when he held off the defender and found the corner. On the hour, Liam scored his second goal of the game, this time a perfectly executed lob from the edge of the box to extend the lead. The game finished 2-2 with Liam awarded Man of the Match for his performance in the game.
The mid-month bad weather then hit with home games against Daisy Hill and AFC Blackpool both postponed, with Garstang leading against Squires Gate in another game through a Liam Clegg goal before the game was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch.
The second game was therefore Ashton Athletic at home, with Liam threading an excellent through ball to teammate Bobby Carter who slotted home the opener on seven minutes. And on 13 minutes he was at it again, whipping in a ball for Steven Mercer to head home to double the lead. Garstang won 2-1 with Liam denied another Man of the Match due to the performance of keeper Joe Lawton who kept Ashton at bay, particularly in the second half.
Garstang's third and final game of the month came as part of the NWCFL Groundhop in the derby game at Fulwood Amateurs. Fulwood were two goals ahead after just seven minutes, but Garstang came back to draw 2-2. Liam got no goals or assists this time, however his performance in helping his side to come back from two goals down led to him winning yet another Man of the Match, his fifth in the last seven league games which certainly shows his form at this time.
Congratulations to Liam on a fine month.
FIRST DIVISION SOUTH
The First Division South Player of the Month for January 2026 goes to Jayden Bailey-Hunter of Stafford Town. This is the first time that Jayden has won this award and the second time this season that a Stafford Town player has won this award after Matthew Hearsey in October.
The 23-year old forward first played in the NWCFL for Rocester back in 2021/22 before moving to Newcastle Town ahead of the 2022/23 season. He moved to Stafford Town at the start of the 2023/24 season, scoring 35 goals in 59 appearances over the next two seasons. At the start of this season he moved to Boldmere St Michaels then Sporting Khalsa, but returned to Stafford Town in January.
His first game in his second spell for Stafford came in the first game in February at home to Cheadle Heath Nomads, and his impact was immediate. On 11 minutes, his ball down the right led to the cross from which Scott Wilding opened the scoring. He almost levelled in stoppage time with a fierce shot that was palmed away, with Cheadle claiming the win.
Next was a trip to league leaders Runcorn Town, with Jayden driving into the box just after the half hour and squaring the ball for James Rowland to score. It proved the highlight of the night for Stafford with Runcorn coming from behind to win 6-1, with Jayden claiming Man of the Match for his hard working performance on the night.
A home game with Stockport Georgians followed, and again goals were plentiful as Georgians won 6-4! Trailing 2-1 at the break, Jayden got forward down the right and crossed low with the ball deflected into the net for an own goal. And on 59 minutes, he received a ball in the box before spinning and finding the bottom corner. Another goal, with his performance merited with a second successive Man of the Match.
The fourth game was Barnton at home, with the Cheshire side leading 2-0 at the break. Jayden was instrumental in dragging Stafford back into the game, winning a penalty on 56 minutes before getting up and firing home. Then on the hour, he got into the box before shooting, his shot deflecting off two defenders and into the net for the equaliser. He also found the net late on with the referee blowing for a foul, with the scores finishing 2-2. Yet again he won Man of the Match here, plus another goal and assist.
At Telford Town in game five, Jayden put his side ahead on 34 minutes when he brought down a corner before firing home. He also set in motion the move that led to the second goal from Dimitri Dunkley, with Stafford winning 2-0. The final game was at home to Market Drayton Town. Jayden hit the post with a fierce shot just after the half hour, with Stafford running out 3-0 winners.
Six games in the month for Jayden after his return, with three Man of the Match wins, three goals and five assists.
Congratulations Jayden!
