Vote Football Following For Best New Blog Award 2012

To all my loyal followers...

As many of you will be aware my blog has been running for quite a while now and with the National Football Blogging Awards around the corner I hope to be nominated.

With this in mind I would really appreciate your vote!

So If you like what you read please can you vote for Football Following in the Football Blogging Awards 2012 as Best New Football Blog.

There are two ways that you can vote for me...

1 - Go on Twitter and tweet to @thefbas with my username @johnmason_29 and the hashtag #New

OR

2 - Vote on their Facebook polls under Best New Football Blog with Football Following

I really appreciate your time and effort.

Vote, Vote, Vote!

Thanks

John

Saturday's Star Brian Woodhall

Woodhall's Winners

Brian Woodhall's hatrick helped secure Dagenham and Redbridge's biggest win of the season on their last day. The club ran out 4-0 winners at home in this fixture against Bristol Rovers. The win saw saw the 'Daggers' cap off a remarkable second half to their season, managing to avoid another relegation.

Having falling into the league last season from the League 1. I know this is not what any of the fans would have predicted for their team this year. The general consensus being that if the team fell into non league, they would never bounce back. This was a worrying scenario for many people associated with the 'Daggers,' but one they managed to avoid.

John Still's men have managed to galvanize as a unit and have finished the season very strongly indeed. The club I'm sure can now look forward rather than over their shoulders as they look to improve for next season.

(Image taken from london24.com)

Saturday's Star Carlton Cole

Cole's Goals

Carlton Cole's goals were not quite enough to get the 'Hammers' promoted. This was because elsewhere Southampton won 4-1 at home to Coventry. Unfortunately for West Ham they had fallen just short of the 2nd automatic promotion spot. Never the less Carlton Cole scored two goals to help overcome Hull City at Upton Park on the last day of the Championship season.

West Ham will now move into the play offs with a real sense of optimism around the club that they can still get promoted. When manager Sam Allardyce was appointed his remit was to get the club back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. 'Big Sam' unfortunately has not quite managed it yet but West Ham are still big favourites to go up.

Other clubs that have reached the play offs that West Ham have to overcome are Birmingham, Blackpool and Cardiff. As for Carlton Cole, his experience and fourteen goals in the league could prove to still be of relevance if he scores the winning goals at Wembley to get the club promoted.

(Image taken from bbc.co.uk)

Saturday's Star Mike Grella

Bury Grateful To Grella

Ten Man Bury defied the odds to beat Notts County 2-4 at Meadow Lane last weekend. The home side were after the points to cement there place in the top six whilst Bury were looking to finish as high up the league as possible after a recent bad run and a season of consolidation. Mike Grella was the player that inevitably made the difference on the day, scoring two goals for the 'Shakers'.

Manager of Bury, Richie Barker, not every fans cup of tea, came in to help steady the ship and secure promotion to League 1 after Alan Knill' departure some time ago now. Since then the club has progressed under his stewardship. Bringing in talented experience from a higher level in players like Mike Grella and Giles Coke has really helped Bury become a stable club in this division.

Unfortunately the club this season lost both derby games to there local rivals Rochdale, however, I'm sure fans will be thinking that they were the ones who had the last laugh as 'Dale' have unfortunately dropped out of the division.

 

(Image taken from football365.com)

Wednesday's Winner Matt Fryatt

Fryatt Fever At Hull

Matty Fryatt three goals for Hull, were enough to sink Barnsley, in a comfortable 3-1 victory for the 'Tigers'. The win ensures that Hull are still on course to make the play offs. Their chances, however, remain slim due to other results going against them. Other results for Barnsley on the other hand helped their fight against relegation, ensuring they now can't go down.

In front of a crowd, Fryatt, showed what he is all about. Goals! Sixteen, to be precise. His goals on Tuesday evening have propelled Hull back up the table towards the play offs. Having remained in and around the play offs for much of the season, the result against Barnsley brought them even closer after their recent bad run which saw them fall away.

Since Nick Barmby took over he has tried to continue the clubs progress towards the Premier League picking up, from where Nigel Pearson left off. As for Fryatt he will be looking for more goals next season. Top scorer at the club for the last two seasons, I'm sure he'll have his sights set on continuing that accolade next season.

(Image taken from theusn.co.uk)

Saturday's Star Elliot Richards

Richards The Man For Rovers

Elliot Richards scored his first hatrick of the season for Bristol Rovers as they thrashed Burton Albion 7-1. Both teams at this stage of the season are securely mid-table and have nothing to play for, but the win helps move Bristol Rovers three points clear of Burton in the race to finish as high up the league table as possible.

Bristol Rovers have struggled with their season campaign this year. A change of manager saw Paul Buckle leave after only nine months in charge with current manager Mark McGhee replacing him. Many people's favourite to go straight back up at the start of the season, the club have not produced and fans will be hoping for better next year.

As For Elliot Richards, the 20 year old youngster has seven goals in 29 appearances for the club. One of the first youth players in 2009 to enter the senior team from a pick of seven, he will expect to kick on and make a name for himself at the start of next season.

(Image taken from thisisbristol.co.uk)

Wednesday's Winner Lloyd Sam

Samtastic!

Lloyd Sam is no stranger to the footballing world, having already played for Charlton, Leyton Orient, Sheffield Wednesday, Southend and Leeds. Now out on loan at Notts County the tricky winger seems to have settled, scoring a hatrick for the 'Magpies' Easter Monday just gone. His three goals against mid-table Yeovil were enough to ensure that Notts leap frog Carlisle into 6^th place and hold the last remaining play off spot.

Sam, seems to have made a real impact at Notts already. His tricky skill and blistering pace are key attributes make him a key player at this level for anyone. Moving on loan to Notts seems to have rejuvenated him as a player as I am ware of numerous injuries at pivotal points during his time at Leeds United. Notts County seem like an ideal club for him to make himself a real fans favourite.

Notts County will be hoping they can make the play offs, but knowing they face an uphill task with Carlisle having a game in hand and facing some tricky fixtures, the road with Brentford also road ahead will be bumpy and difficult for the world's oldest club.

(Image taken from www.thisisnottigham.co.uk)