SCRUM-HALF Ali Price was given an early birthday present by the Glasgow Warriors fans last night when they voted him their player of the season. The No 9, who turns 24 tomorrow, was given the accolade at the club’s annual awards dinner in a city-centre hotel.
Price made his Scotland debut in the Autumn Test against Georgia, and won four more caps in this year’s Six Nations Championship. His rapid rise is reflected in the fact that it is only last year that he won the vote for Most Improved Player.
Officially the McCrea Financial Services Player of the Year, the No 9 was presented with his award by former Warriors hooker Dougie Hall, who now works for McCrea. Price was part of a 10-man shortlist selected by the club’s coaches, and was chosen for the honour via an online poll at www.glasgowwarriors.org . The other nine on the list were Fraser Brown, Jonny Gray, Nick Grigg, Stuart Hogg, Lee Jones, Finn Russell, Tommy Seymour, Tim Swinson and Ryan Wilson.
Grigg, who like Price has been named by Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend in his squad for the summer tour, was voted Denholm Oilfield Services Players’ Player of the Season. The centre has been outstanding this season, his first as a professional, and played 20 times for Glasgow.
This year’s award for most improved player went to second-row forward Brian Alainu’uese, who joined up from New Zealand in October, initially on a short-term deal for the rest of the campaign. The big lock quickly became a supporters’ favourite thanks to some barnstorming performances, and recently signed a new two-year contract.
Award winners:
McCrea Financial Services Player of the Season – Ali Price
Denholm Oilfield Services Players' Player of the Season – Nick Grigg
Cameron House Young Player of the Season – Scott Cummings
Capital Document Solutions Most Improved Player of the Season – Brian Alainu’uese
The Famous Grouse Coaches Award – Peter Horne and Rob Harley
Harper Macleod Test Player of the Season – Stuart Hogg
Al Kellock Leadership Award, sponsored by Malcolm Group – Peter Murchie
Scottish Power Community Club of the Season – East Kilbride
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