IMO re: the survey...
The red paper & teeny print were a pretty poor choice, don't they know I'm old & blind?

Yes the PA's too loud, this is a long standing Battery tradition best I can tell.

Yes Richard Todd talks too much & says NOTHING I want to hear. Bring back OSEI!!!!!!!!

Brit Fest was fun, the Kick for cash is really getting to be a running joke at this point.

Everyone knows the Buck Rogers Coozie was the best giveaway of all time! What a silly-*** question.

We have the best staff top to bottom I've ever seen anywhere.

Battery players maintain a great image in the Community.

The new website's great & continues to improve.

Newcomer: Raoul really carried us at one stretch, only his lack of playing minutes lately hurt him in that regard. Justin Evans gets my pick based on more minutes - he & Raoul & a host of other guys were great new signings.

Defensive MVP: Really - really tuff pick for a change this year, WE CAN DEFEND AGAIN!! Dusty would say Mark, Rudy & Lewis, Mark, Rudy or Lewis would say Dusty, Mark,Dusty & Lewis would pick Rudy, & Dusty, Rudy & Lewis would pick Mark. Buck PICKS Dusty, I don't know how he stays so focused during the long stretches where he's not under any serious pressure - then bang he sucks it up with a great save or 2 - how many 1-Nil wins did Dusty get credit for this year?

Offensive MVP: Conway's THE MAN. God bless his old agent for bringing him here. Tireless, unselfish, can still deliver great midfield play when asked to at the end of long hard matches, he is one hell of a soccer player.

MVP: You can make a helluva case for Klein, he's played forward, defender, inside & outside mid & can start at any one of those positions & do very well, he's certainly our best all-around soccer player hands-down.
As far as a single player who's made the biggest impact this year IMO you go with Watson - he's skilled yet tough as freaking nails - a leader by example - in his very first year here he's already very loyal to his teammates, coaches & franchise - most importantly he leaves it all on the pitch, great in the air, great on corners whether we're attacking or defending, consistent good touches forward or back, very good vision & high defensive standards. I go with Mark as MVP.

I think we have had 12 - 13 guys score this year - that's a great team by any standard.

Time for Opinions to fly......

I enjoy the Kick for Kash. Someone will Eventually close their eyes and make it through.

The Battery Staff is world class and very outgoing. Thanks for sponsoring the Big Brothers/Big Sisters!!!

Defensive Player of the year goes to Wilson. He is tough in the back. He has picked up alot of his mates. Dusty is strong but he has benefitted this year by good players in front of him.

"O" POTY - Goes to Trout. He has made a huge impact. I think he will come up Big in the Tourney. I would like to see Mac get a little more PT. Missed him on Wed.

New commer of the Year goes to Mark Watson. He has solidified the D. He brings some toughness to the backs.

MVP - Goes to Paul Conway. He is strong up front and has dropped back into the mid when needed. He keeps the team focused and is a great coach on the field. His "O" has come back well of late and his passes are world class.

I love to give My opinions!

Defense: Watson (this is a tough one with many deserving players, but Watson has really anchored the defense with tenacious play all season)
Offense: Conway (solid performer)
Newcomer: Watson
MVP: Trout

What about Biggest Disappointment of the Year? Wynalda... IMO Jake Edwards has been a bit of a downer -- he's only played 7 games, but hasn't scored a goal for the Battery... in a way I was expecting more out of him...

Here's another one... Biggest Surprise? John Jones -- he has been impressive!!!

In general, this season has seen may players contribute at various times, so it is hard pinpointing specific players -- this is a well-balanced side.

Best newcomer...Justin Evans he is solid in the middle
Best give away for next year Buck's coozie with a complimentary beer!!

Good time for a post like this:

Newcomer: Evans

Defensive: Dusty

Offense: Trout/Conway - what would trout do with more playing time?

MVP: Dusty or Evans

Evans, Klein, and Watson are three great signings that the Battery did in the offseason. I guess I'd throw Trout in there too.

My picks are somewhat slanted towards the defense because I think that's been the biggest change in our team from year's past and the biggest single reason for our success. We're scoring fewer goals but have a better record. Plus, I have a personal bias towards defenders 'cause that's mainly what my kids used to play and my brief career in the adult hack leagues was also as a defender.

Best offensive player: Conway by a toe. He's not having a mega goal scoring year but he's a more complete player. He's playing defense, not fouling as much and bitching at his team mates less. He's a better leader & a much more complete player this year. Trout is runner-up.

Best Defender: Watson. I know Dusty is a great GK, always has been. But even in year's past, we've given up over a goal a game, almost 1.5 a game with Dusty as our keeper. The main difference in our defensive success this year has been better defending from the backline and Watson is the main reason for that. When Watson isn't in there, it's a noticeable difference. Rudy is an unsung hero and has actually played more minutes than Dusty. I give him runner-up honors.

Best New Signing: If I were to spread the wealth around, I would give this to Evans. He has been a workhorse, played the most minutes of anyone and also scored some timely goals. However, I keep going back to the main difference in our team from last year's and its the "D". Therefore, my biased defensive brain must give a second award to Watson. Evans would be runner-up.

MVP: I take the "P" to be "Person", not "Player", so I have to give this coveted award to Coach Ramsey. He has brought a different philosophy and setup to the team. He has coached and worked the players on it and they believe in it. When you hear one of them do an interview, they all say the same thing. They talk about the game plan and they talk about team shape. You sense a confidence and energy that hasn't been there in quite some time. August has usually been the month where we have started to wilt and fade. However, this squad looks hungry, motivated and ready for the playoffs.

Since I probably broke some rule in picking a coach for MVP, if I had to really pick a player, it would be ...... you guessed it ...... Watson. When you look at all the players, for most of them, we have a pretty adequate sub that can step in and carry the load. I think in Watson, we don't have such a sub. Watson is the one person I don't want to see in street clothes come kickoff.

Most Pleasant Surprise: (that was a category, wasn't it?) Since I wasn't able to pick Trout for any other award, I made one up for him. Although he was injured much of last year, he has been a huge plus for us this year. I still remember him an exhibition game this year (against C of C, I think), he made 3 cuts, zig-zagged and beat 3 defenders in a row, then crushed a shot into the corner of the net. I thought, "Wow, where have you been"? He has not disappointed.

We have a lot of talent on this year's squad. A lot of players have scored, a lot have played many minutes. 16 players have averaged over 20 minutes a game and 16 different players have registered points. That will definitely help us as we head into the playoffs. Injuries, suspensions, travel, etc. shouldn't affect us as much as other clubs. This has really been a team effort this year. I like our chances.

The Fans have spoken: Dusty MVP, Paul Conway Offensive P.O.Y., Johnny Wilson Defensive P.O.Y., & Mark Watson Newcomer P.O.Y. Dusty certainly deserves MVP after surviving several tough years back there... Paul's been very productive again this year with clutch goals & unselfish assists... John Wilson's had his best year - played at least 4 different positions, all of them well... Mark Watson has stepped up & set the standard for everyone on this team, he wants to play and he wants to win... This is a great team full of another bunch of great guys... the best part about these awards is they come directly from the votes of our great fans...