CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Surprise for Mani (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Surprise for Mani

5:00pm Thursday 26th January 2012 in News

BLUEBIRDS youngster Mani Randhawa admitted that he was left shocked after being nominated for an Up and Coming Player of the Year award at the first-ever Asian Football Awards.

The former Swindon New College defender, whose father’s family hail from India, received the nod for the award, with the ceremony held at Wembley Stadium this week.

Randhawa, who made the step up to Chippenham from Calne Town at the beginning of the season, said that his nomination was a pleasant surprise.

“I just got an e-mail sent through saying that I was nominated for it – it was a big surprise and obviously it’s a big honour,” he said.

“I’ve never heard anything close to it and getting noticed means that I must be doing something right.”

After being thrust into first-team action in the first game of the season, Randhawa has since found himself regularly on the bench as the Bluebirds’ more experienced defenders returned to full fitness but the promising youngster is happy to bide his time for another extended run in the team.

He added: “I’m still young and I’ve got a lot of time. They’ve been going for experience in the team in the last few games and that’s worked out but hopefully if I get my chance, I can try to take it and kick-start next season.”

Chippenham boss Adie Mings praised the youngster and said: “He’s been great since he’s come in and he’ll probably go on to play at an even higher level.”