Dion Frary capped an outstanding debut campaign in Fakenham Town’s first team by winning the vote as the supporters’ player of the year for 2014/15, writes Gareth Davis.

Frary, who only turned 17 in July 2014, had just a few minutes of senior experience under his belt but was given his opportunity in the middle of midfield as the Ghosts marked their return to the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division with an opening-day clash against defending champions Hadleigh United.

The youth team product gave notice of his abilities that afternoon and did not look back, making a total of 38 appearances in all competitions and bagging four goals.

Frary got off the mark in August’s 2-1 win at Diss Town before striking twice in September to see off Thetford Town at Clipbush Park by the same scoreline, then netting the equaliser in December’s 2-1 triumph at home to Wivenhoe.

His danger from set-pieces and all-action displays made him a key player for the Ghosts across the campaign and his efforts were recognised when he picked up the fans’ award – but he has also been a big success at youth team level too.

Frary, as well as playing for the senior team, has been a regular for the Norfolk Under-18s while he has also featured for Fakenham’s under-18s, captaining the side to the first round of the FA Youth Cup for the first time in the club’s history where they took on AFC Wimbledon.

Indeed, Frary’s appearances for the under-18s were also recognised at the club’s end-of-season awards night where he was jointly named the manager’s player of the year alongside defender Liam Youngs.

Youngs, the younger brother of first team centre-half Josh, also picked up two prizes on the night as he collected the youth team’s most improved player award for his performances during a campaign that saw the teenage Ghosts finish second in the Thurlow Nunn Youth League’s North Division – behind Histon, the only full-time team in the league.

At reserve level, Fakenham’s second string finished eighth in their first season in Division Three of the Anglian Combination.

Frontman Ricky Claxton enjoyed an outstanding season, topping the club’s scoring charts by passing the 25-goal mark, a feat that earned him the manager’s player of the year award. The players’ player of the year honour went to captain Joe Woodhouse for his displays at the heart of the defence.

One name ended up on both of the first team prizes with attacker Sam Garner taking the manager’s player of the year and players’ player of the year trophies. Garner appeared in 33 of the Ghosts’ 38 Premier Division fixtures, striking six goals across the campaign.

Off the field, the sterling efforts of club secretary Paul Chilvers were recognised as he received the clubman of the year award.