Whitley Bay striker Paul Chow rounded off a record breaking season for his club by winning the player of the year title at the Northern League dinner on Friday night.

Chow, who was most uncharitably labelled a “donkey” by Poole Town fans after the first leg of their Vase semi final – only to make them eat their words with a hat trick in the return leg – beat Dunston striker Andy Bulford and Norton keeper Jim Provett for the award, which was presented at the Ramside Hall Hotel in Durham.

He also won Radio Newcastle’s player of the year award, beating Bulford, Shildon’s Sam Garvie, Steve Capper of Spennymoor, and Peter Jeffries of Bishop Auckland .

Chow scored a goal in every round of the Vase last season, and just like team mate Lee Kerr, scored in his third successive Vase final.

The manager of the year award came down to two candidates – Whitley boss Ian Chander and Spennymoor’s Jason Ainsley – with Chandler pipping his Spennymoor rival for his fourth award.

While Chow will be remembered for his scoring record, the club also picked up the league’s Safe Hands award for keeping the most clean sheets during the season.

The league’s young player of the year award went to 16 year old Horden midfielder Jack Honour.

The guest speaker was Burnley chief executive Paul Fletcher, with World Cup final referee Howard Webb – who becomes president of the Northern Counties East League soon – also giving a speech.