October 2025 Player of the Month announced
Fri 14th November 2025 | League Awards | By Martin Fallon
The Winners of the Player of the Month Awards for October 2025 have been announced by the NWCFL.
PREMIER DIVISION
The North West Counties League Premier Division Player of the Month Award for October 2025 has gone to John Johnston of Irlam. This is the first time that he has won this award and the first for Irlam since Declan Daniels won it in September 2023.
This is Johnston's first season in the NWFCL after signing for Irlam in the summer from Matlock Town. He left due to increased work commitments after being with the Gladiators since 2022, winning their fans player of the season last year. John played in the Football League for Crewe Alexandra before joining Salford City. He moved onto Altrincham and then Chester before joining Kidsgrove Athletic, before joining Guiseley then Matlock.
After scoring four times in Irlam's opening eight games, he has really hit his stride in October with seven goals in seven games and winning two Man of the Match awards.
The opening game of the month saw him help his team to a 3-0 win at Stockport Town, scoring the second goal of the game in the 39th minute in a flowing move that he himself started. Next was another home game against Atherton LR, where Johnston opened the scoring on 17 minutes with a goal from a narrow angle, before adding a second from the penalty spot two minutes into the second half. Johnston won Man of the Match with Irlam winning 3-0.
The third game was away at FC St Helens with Johnston again opening the scoring, this time with a 20-yard strike that gave home keeper Jake Hilton no chance. With 20 minutes remaining, he then set up striker John Main to double the lead, but the home side hit back with two late goals to take a share of the points.
The Isuzu FA Vase was next at home to Shildon with Johnston again opening the scoring, this time after just six minutes when he kept his cool to slot into the bottom corner. The Northern League side hit back to lead before Johnston set up Mitch Henry to score the equaliser. Penalties saw Irlam progress in the competition.
He was unable to stop Barnoldswick Town winning 2-1 at Irlam in the fifth game of the month, the only game in which Johnston failed to score, but he was back to his best in the next game, winning Man of the Match for the second time in the month away to Longridge Town. Johnston opened the scoring in that game with a superb strike after cutting in from the left, and tormented the home side throughout the first half. Longridge eventually took control in the second half to run out winners.
The final game saw Irlam with a 5-2 win at West Didsbury & Chorlton. Johnston's quick free kick helped set up the second goal just before half time, and then curled in the fourth for Irlam seven minutes into the second half. He also assisted the final goal in the last minute for skipper Jacob Holt.
Johnston played seven games in total, scoring in six of them with seven goals to his name. He also weighed in with two Man of the Match wins.
Congratulations on a fine month!
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
The First Division North Player of the Month for October 2025 goes to Liam Sheppard of Daisy Hill, the second winner of this award for the club after Alexander Dodd won it in March 2025.
The 18-year old striker came through the ranks at Atherton Collieries, scoring a brace on his senior Colls debut last season after impressing in the Colls Youth Team. He joined Daisy Hill midway through last season on duel registrations, and has remained at the club into this season.
Shep enjoyed a great run of form during the month, scoring seven goals in four games during a good month for Daisy Hill that saw them remain unbeaten. He also picked up Man of the Match in two of the three league games that he played in.
The opening game of the month against Darwen saw Shep open the scoring in a 3-2 win as he looped a shot over the keeper from a cross from the right. Next in Daisy Hill's home game against Maine Road, he hit the equaliser on the hour with a superb shot from just outside the box that flew into the far corner. Daisy went on to draw that game 2-2, with Shep winning Man of the Match.
He took that performance in the third game at Thornton Cleveley's, a game in which he was instrumental once again in Daisy Hill picking up all three points. After falling behind, he hit a stunning volley over the keeper to draw Daisy Hill level in the 25th minute, and then put them ahead just before half time after Ntumba Massanka set him up. He completed his first senior hat-trick just before the hour mark, and was unlucky not to add more to his tally late in the game. He collected another Man of the Match in this game.
The final game saw Daisy Hill host Ashton Athletic in the Edward Case Cup. In a tight affair, Shep opened the scoring on 68 minutes with a shot into the top corner. He then added a second from the penalty spot with four minutes left to secure his sides passage into the next round.
In total, four games and seven goals for Shep!
Congratulations on a fine month.
FIRST DIVISION SOUTH
The First Division South Player of the Month for October 2025 goes to forward Matthew Hearsey of Stafford Town. This is the second time in three months that Matthew has won this award and the fifth time in total after three wins last season. He also won the overall First Division South Player of the Year award at the NWCFL Annual Dinner in June.
Despite all the accolades in the past, October was possibly the best month that the former Newcastle Town man has had for Stafford. He played in all seven games that the club played, scoring in every game as Stafford scored 25 goals in the month, with Hearsey himself scoring 11 of them as well as getting five assists.
His first game in September for Stafford saw Stafford trailing 2-1 at Market Drayton when he headed home the equaliser at the start of the second half. On the hour, his header brought a fine save from the Market Drayton keeper only for Hearsey to tap home the rebound for his second goal of the game. The home side got a late equaliser in a 3-3 draw. That was Hearsey's 100th appearance for Stafford, scoring 66 goals in those games.
Next up was a 3-2 win over Stoke City in the Staffordshire Senior Cup. Again they trailed 2-1 at the start of the second half when Hearsey got away down the right and crossed for Patryk Mazurkiewicz to score. With 20 minutes to go and the scores level, Mazurkiewicz was brought down in the box with Hearsey despatching the penalty to put his side ahead.
Ashville were up next with the two forwards combining again after just eight minutes when Mazurkiewicz set up Hearsey to score the opener. Ashville went on to win that game 3-2.
The fourth game of the month came against Nuneaton Town in the Isuzu FA Vase, with Hearsey putting Stafford ahead just before the half hour with another header. Nuneaton hit back to lead only for Hearsey to head in the equaliser on 62 minutes from a Josh Wilson free kick. With 15 minutes to go, Hearsey completed his hat-trick, creating himself some space on the edge of the box before firing into the bottom corner. A late, late goal saw the game end all square with Nuneaton progresssing in the shoot-out.
Game five was a trip to Shawbury United. Hearsey's cross from the right on eight minutes found Dimitri Dunkley who scored the opening goal, and he scored the third goal of the game with a precise finish into the bottom corner. Stafford went on to record a 6-2 win in that game.
Cammell Laird 1907 were next to visit Stafford for game six of the month. On 34 minutes, Hearsey's precise pass sent Sam Lynch through one-on-one to slide in the opening goal, and with seven minutes remaining he cooly converted a penalty to complete the scoring in a 3-0 win.
The final game was a 5-2 home win against Market Drayton Town in the Edward Case Cup. Another Hearsey header opened the scoring on two minutes from Scott Wilding's free kick, and he headed in an equaliser at the start of the second half from Saem Son's cross. On the hour, he powered past three players before finding Dunkley who tapped home the fourth for Stafford, and his cross on 77 minutes found Lynch to head home Stafford's final goal.
Congratulations Matthew!
October 2025 Player of the Month announced
Fri 14th November 2025 | League Awards
By Martin Fallon
The Winners of the Player of the Month Awards for October 2025 have been announced by the NWCFL.
PREMIER DIVISION
The North West Counties League Premier Division Player of the Month Award for October 2025 has gone to John Johnston of Irlam. This is the first time that he has won this award and the first for Irlam since Declan Daniels won it in September 2023.
This is Johnston's first season in the NWFCL after signing for Irlam in the summer from Matlock Town. He left due to increased work commitments after being with the Gladiators since 2022, winning their fans player of the season last year. John played in the Football League for Crewe Alexandra before joining Salford City. He moved onto Altrincham and then Chester before joining Kidsgrove Athletic, before joining Guiseley then Matlock.
After scoring four times in Irlam's opening eight games, he has really hit his stride in October with seven goals in seven games and winning two Man of the Match awards.
The opening game of the month saw him help his team to a 3-0 win at Stockport Town, scoring the second goal of the game in the 39th minute in a flowing move that he himself started. Next was another home game against Atherton LR, where Johnston opened the scoring on 17 minutes with a goal from a narrow angle, before adding a second from the penalty spot two minutes into the second half. Johnston won Man of the Match with Irlam winning 3-0.
The third game was away at FC St Helens with Johnston again opening the scoring, this time with a 20-yard strike that gave home keeper Jake Hilton no chance. With 20 minutes remaining, he then set up striker John Main to double the lead, but the home side hit back with two late goals to take a share of the points.
The Isuzu FA Vase was next at home to Shildon with Johnston again opening the scoring, this time after just six minutes when he kept his cool to slot into the bottom corner. The Northern League side hit back to lead before Johnston set up Mitch Henry to score the equaliser. Penalties saw Irlam progress in the competition.
He was unable to stop Barnoldswick Town winning 2-1 at Irlam in the fifth game of the month, the only game in which Johnston failed to score, but he was back to his best in the next game, winning Man of the Match for the second time in the month away to Longridge Town. Johnston opened the scoring in that game with a superb strike after cutting in from the left, and tormented the home side throughout the first half. Longridge eventually took control in the second half to run out winners.
The final game saw Irlam with a 5-2 win at West Didsbury & Chorlton. Johnston's quick free kick helped set up the second goal just before half time, and then curled in the fourth for Irlam seven minutes into the second half. He also assisted the final goal in the last minute for skipper Jacob Holt.
Johnston played seven games in total, scoring in six of them with seven goals to his name. He also weighed in with two Man of the Match wins.
Congratulations on a fine month!
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
The First Division North Player of the Month for October 2025 goes to Liam Sheppard of Daisy Hill, the second winner of this award for the club after Alexander Dodd won it in March 2025.
The 18-year old striker came through the ranks at Atherton Collieries, scoring a brace on his senior Colls debut last season after impressing in the Colls Youth Team. He joined Daisy Hill midway through last season on duel registrations, and has remained at the club into this season.
Shep enjoyed a great run of form during the month, scoring seven goals in four games during a good month for Daisy Hill that saw them remain unbeaten. He also picked up Man of the Match in two of the three league games that he played in.
The opening game of the month against Darwen saw Shep open the scoring in a 3-2 win as he looped a shot over the keeper from a cross from the right. Next in Daisy Hill's home game against Maine Road, he hit the equaliser on the hour with a superb shot from just outside the box that flew into the far corner. Daisy went on to draw that game 2-2, with Shep winning Man of the Match.
He took that performance in the third game at Thornton Cleveley's, a game in which he was instrumental once again in Daisy Hill picking up all three points. After falling behind, he hit a stunning volley over the keeper to draw Daisy Hill level in the 25th minute, and then put them ahead just before half time after Ntumba Massanka set him up. He completed his first senior hat-trick just before the hour mark, and was unlucky not to add more to his tally late in the game. He collected another Man of the Match in this game.
The final game saw Daisy Hill host Ashton Athletic in the Edward Case Cup. In a tight affair, Shep opened the scoring on 68 minutes with a shot into the top corner. He then added a second from the penalty spot with four minutes left to secure his sides passage into the next round.
In total, four games and seven goals for Shep!
Congratulations on a fine month.
FIRST DIVISION SOUTH
The First Division South Player of the Month for October 2025 goes to forward Matthew Hearsey of Stafford Town. This is the second time in three months that Matthew has won this award and the fifth time in total after three wins last season. He also won the overall First Division South Player of the Year award at the NWCFL Annual Dinner in June.
Despite all the accolades in the past, October was possibly the best month that the former Newcastle Town man has had for Stafford. He played in all seven games that the club played, scoring in every game as Stafford scored 25 goals in the month, with Hearsey himself scoring 11 of them as well as getting five assists.
His first game in September for Stafford saw Stafford trailing 2-1 at Market Drayton when he headed home the equaliser at the start of the second half. On the hour, his header brought a fine save from the Market Drayton keeper only for Hearsey to tap home the rebound for his second goal of the game. The home side got a late equaliser in a 3-3 draw. That was Hearsey's 100th appearance for Stafford, scoring 66 goals in those games.
Next up was a 3-2 win over Stoke City in the Staffordshire Senior Cup. Again they trailed 2-1 at the start of the second half when Hearsey got away down the right and crossed for Patryk Mazurkiewicz to score. With 20 minutes to go and the scores level, Mazurkiewicz was brought down in the box with Hearsey despatching the penalty to put his side ahead.
Ashville were up next with the two forwards combining again after just eight minutes when Mazurkiewicz set up Hearsey to score the opener. Ashville went on to win that game 3-2.
The fourth game of the month came against Nuneaton Town in the Isuzu FA Vase, with Hearsey putting Stafford ahead just before the half hour with another header. Nuneaton hit back to lead only for Hearsey to head in the equaliser on 62 minutes from a Josh Wilson free kick. With 15 minutes to go, Hearsey completed his hat-trick, creating himself some space on the edge of the box before firing into the bottom corner. A late, late goal saw the game end all square with Nuneaton progresssing in the shoot-out.
Game five was a trip to Shawbury United. Hearsey's cross from the right on eight minutes found Dimitri Dunkley who scored the opening goal, and he scored the third goal of the game with a precise finish into the bottom corner. Stafford went on to record a 6-2 win in that game.
Cammell Laird 1907 were next to visit Stafford for game six of the month. On 34 minutes, Hearsey's precise pass sent Sam Lynch through one-on-one to slide in the opening goal, and with seven minutes remaining he cooly converted a penalty to complete the scoring in a 3-0 win.
The final game was a 5-2 home win against Market Drayton Town in the Edward Case Cup. Another Hearsey header opened the scoring on two minutes from Scott Wilding's free kick, and he headed in an equaliser at the start of the second half from Saem Son's cross. On the hour, he powered past three players before finding Dunkley who tapped home the fourth for Stafford, and his cross on 77 minutes found Lynch to head home Stafford's final goal.
Congratulations Matthew!
