October 2026 Player of the Month announced
Sat 7th November 2026 | League Awards | By Martin Fallon
The Winners of the Player of the Month Awards for October 2026 have been announced by the NWCFL.
PREMIER DIVISION
The North West Counties League Premier Division Player of the Month Award for October 2026 has gone to Dilon O'Callaghan of Burscough. He is the first winner for Burscough since Christian Mukoko won it in January.
Dilon's route to the NWCFL is not typical of many who play in the league. He actually played for Burscough Reserves around nine years ago before stepping away from football. The last couple of years has seen him rediscover his love for the game, joining Joey Orrs in the Liverpool County Premier Division. That led to a move to Litherland REMYCA last season, and seven goals in his first eight games led to Lower Breck signing him on dual forms. This season he started against with REMYCA, before joining Burscough in August.
After taking a few games to settle in at the club, Dilon really hit his stride in October. The first game of the month at home to Glossop North End saw him slide in his first goal of the month just after the hour to make it 3-0. It proved pivotal with Glossop scoring twice late on to come within a whisker of a point. Next was a trip to Parkgate in the FA Vase, with Dilon opening the scoring after just three minutes and then grabbing his second late on in a 3-0 win.
His best performance in the month came in the third game when he scored a hat-trick in his sides 5-2 win at Longridge Town. It was a rather unusual hat-trick with all three of Dilon's goals being headers! That performance led to him winning Man of the Match, his second for the club after picking up one in September.
Dilon's fourth and final game of the month saw him again on the scoresheet as he scored twice in an 8-1 demolition of Halewood Apollo in the Macron Cup.
Four games in total, at least a goal in every game with eight scored in total, and one Man of the Match win.
Congratulations Dilon!
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
The First Division North Player of the Month for October 2026 goes to Blessing Igharo of AFC Blackpool. This is the first time on record that an AFC Blackpool player has won this award.
Blessing spent time developing with the Burnley FC Shadow Youth Team before playing Under 21 football for both Chorley and Clitheroe, making his first team debut for Clitheroe in the Lancashire Trophy. He has gone on to play NWCFL football for Barnoldswick Town, Nelson and Colne, before moving to Rossendale. He joined AFC Blackpool at the start of this season.
October could not have gone much better for Blessing. The first game of the month was one to forget for his side as they lost 4-0 at Ashton Town, although Blessing's performance was the highlight in a forgetful day as he won Man of the Match for the Mechanics. A week later his side turned things around as they won 4-1 away at Uppermill, with Blessing scoring the opening goal of the game to put his side on their way. Once again he picked up Man of the Match.
The third game was a local derby at home to Garstang with the visitors winning 2-0 on another night to forget for the Blackpool faithful. However in the fourth and final game of the month, he scored the opener in a 1-1 draw against Colne, Blessing causing the visitors problems all afternoon and once again winning Man of the Match.
Four games in the month with two goals scored, but picking up Man of the Match in three out of the four games represents a stand out month for Blessing.
Congratulations to Blessing on a fine month.
FIRST DIVISION SOUTH
The First Division South Player of the Month for October 2026 goes to James Sigsworth of Barnton. He is the first Barnton player to win this award since Rodrigo Schmitdinger in January 2024.
James came through at Atherton Collieries before joining Ashton Town on loan. He has also played ub the NWCFL for Atherton LR and West Didsbury & Chorlton, both of those prior to Covid. After the pandemic, he joined Vulcan in the Cheshire League as well as Daten before moving to Barnton last season.
It has been a superb month for James who has no doubt helped Barnton to win Club of the Month with his performances. The first game of the month saw him score twice to put his side two goals ahead at Shawbury United, Barnton eventually winning 3-1. Next was Dawley Town at home, the visitors going two goals ahead before James found the net to put his side back in the contest. Barnton turned things around to win 3-2, with James winning Man of the Match.
The third game saw no goals from James this time, but his performance was immense in the 3-3 draw at home to AFC Bridgnorth. Again they trailed 2-0 in that game, and once again James' performance led to him winning Man of the Match. Next was a midweek tie at Irlam in the Macron Cup. James hit the winner in this game in stoppage time to give his side a 3-1 win away at the Premier Division side.
His final game came at Foley Meir, and once again James did not find the net but put in a performance that was worthy of him winning his third Man of the Match in three league games.
Five appearances in the month, four goals and three Man of the Match wins. A great return for James and Barnton this month!
Congratulations James!
October 2026 Player of the Month announced
Sat 7th November 2026 | League Awards
By Martin Fallon
The Winners of the Player of the Month Awards for October 2026 have been announced by the NWCFL.
PREMIER DIVISION
The North West Counties League Premier Division Player of the Month Award for October 2026 has gone to Dilon O'Callaghan of Burscough. He is the first winner for Burscough since Christian Mukoko won it in January.
Dilon's route to the NWCFL is not typical of many who play in the league. He actually played for Burscough Reserves around nine years ago before stepping away from football. The last couple of years has seen him rediscover his love for the game, joining Joey Orrs in the Liverpool County Premier Division. That led to a move to Litherland REMYCA last season, and seven goals in his first eight games led to Lower Breck signing him on dual forms. This season he started against with REMYCA, before joining Burscough in August.
After taking a few games to settle in at the club, Dilon really hit his stride in October. The first game of the month at home to Glossop North End saw him slide in his first goal of the month just after the hour to make it 3-0. It proved pivotal with Glossop scoring twice late on to come within a whisker of a point. Next was a trip to Parkgate in the FA Vase, with Dilon opening the scoring after just three minutes and then grabbing his second late on in a 3-0 win.
His best performance in the month came in the third game when he scored a hat-trick in his sides 5-2 win at Longridge Town. It was a rather unusual hat-trick with all three of Dilon's goals being headers! That performance led to him winning Man of the Match, his second for the club after picking up one in September.
Dilon's fourth and final game of the month saw him again on the scoresheet as he scored twice in an 8-1 demolition of Halewood Apollo in the Macron Cup.
Four games in total, at least a goal in every game with eight scored in total, and one Man of the Match win.
Congratulations Dilon!
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
The First Division North Player of the Month for October 2026 goes to Blessing Igharo of AFC Blackpool. This is the first time on record that an AFC Blackpool player has won this award.
Blessing spent time developing with the Burnley FC Shadow Youth Team before playing Under 21 football for both Chorley and Clitheroe, making his first team debut for Clitheroe in the Lancashire Trophy. He has gone on to play NWCFL football for Barnoldswick Town, Nelson and Colne, before moving to Rossendale. He joined AFC Blackpool at the start of this season.
October could not have gone much better for Blessing. The first game of the month was one to forget for his side as they lost 4-0 at Ashton Town, although Blessing's performance was the highlight in a forgetful day as he won Man of the Match for the Mechanics. A week later his side turned things around as they won 4-1 away at Uppermill, with Blessing scoring the opening goal of the game to put his side on their way. Once again he picked up Man of the Match.
The third game was a local derby at home to Garstang with the visitors winning 2-0 on another night to forget for the Blackpool faithful. However in the fourth and final game of the month, he scored the opener in a 1-1 draw against Colne, Blessing causing the visitors problems all afternoon and once again winning Man of the Match.
Four games in the month with two goals scored, but picking up Man of the Match in three out of the four games represents a stand out month for Blessing.
Congratulations to Blessing on a fine month.
FIRST DIVISION SOUTH
The First Division South Player of the Month for October 2026 goes to James Sigsworth of Barnton. He is the first Barnton player to win this award since Rodrigo Schmitdinger in January 2024.
James came through at Atherton Collieries before joining Ashton Town on loan. He has also played ub the NWCFL for Atherton LR and West Didsbury & Chorlton, both of those prior to Covid. After the pandemic, he joined Vulcan in the Cheshire League as well as Daten before moving to Barnton last season.
It has been a superb month for James who has no doubt helped Barnton to win Club of the Month with his performances. The first game of the month saw him score twice to put his side two goals ahead at Shawbury United, Barnton eventually winning 3-1. Next was Dawley Town at home, the visitors going two goals ahead before James found the net to put his side back in the contest. Barnton turned things around to win 3-2, with James winning Man of the Match.
The third game saw no goals from James this time, but his performance was immense in the 3-3 draw at home to AFC Bridgnorth. Again they trailed 2-0 in that game, and once again James' performance led to him winning Man of the Match. Next was a midweek tie at Irlam in the Macron Cup. James hit the winner in this game in stoppage time to give his side a 3-1 win away at the Premier Division side.
His final game came at Foley Meir, and once again James did not find the net but put in a performance that was worthy of him winning his third Man of the Match in three league games.
Five appearances in the month, four goals and three Man of the Match wins. A great return for James and Barnton this month!
Congratulations James!
