Peer nomination for Pars captain

Bene takes Benidorm break ahead of big awards night

Dunfermline skipper Kyle Benedictus is honoured to be one of the PFA Scotland nominations for the cinch League One Player of the Year. The central defender has played 43 of the 45 Pars matches this season, only missing out on the one league match against Clyde through suspension and having sat out the SPFL Trust Trophy match against Celtic B. He expressed his delight about his recognition alongside team mate Matty Todd in the four selected to be up for the award:-

"I`m delighted. Personally, it`s always nice for me and Matty to be nominated by your fellow peers. I have said a few times, I think any one of the boys could be up there with what they`ve done this season. It`s been a team effort. There`s no individuality out there, it`s all about the team.

"On a personal note, I`m obviously delighted for myself, and my family are delighted as well. I couldn`t ask for much more from the season and this nomination at the end.”

Kyle revealed that he had cast his vote for Airdrieonians 28 year old striker Calum Gallagher who scored 22 goals in 36 league appearances this season, joint top scorer alongside the fourth nominee Ruari Paton of Queen of the South. Kyle continued:-

“I think throughout the season he`s probably given me my toughest game, if I`m honest. That`s what I based it on. Our most difficult games came against Airdrie, so that`s why I voted for him. But Matty and the other two have had fantastic seasons as well, so we`ll see what happens."

Kyle has had a great influence both on and off the park. In addition to winning League One and promotion back into the Championship, he has marshalled a defence that has broken all the club’s shut out records and set several more as well.

“The manager was speaking about it and I think he said we`ve broken every one. I can`t even say them all. Again, it`s a credit to the players including the boys who have come on loan. Next season there will be changes but it`s credit to every single one of them.

"Everyone who steps on that pitch gave 110% for this club. I don`t want to speak about last year, but to go from that to this. Many of those boys are still here, they`ve given everything for this club this season. I think the records speak for themselves, what we`ve done this season and what we`ve achieved. 

"Now let`s enjoy ourselves and get back for pre-season next year. We`re going to Benidorm for five days, four nights on Tuesday. I`m sure the boys will enjoy it and I`ll try and keep them on their best behaviour as much as I can!”

PFA Scotland, the independent trade union for professional footballers across the country, will host its annual awards ceremony in Glasgow on Sunday evening, when the individual winners will be announced.

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