CHRISTOPHER Ian Hirst pipped Carl Worswick to the Players' Player of the Year at the first Morning Allstars' awards evening last Friday.

The burly defender from Chesterfield pushed aside recent personal problems to take the top prize by five votes to three from Worswick.

"It's unbelievable, I'm chuffed to bits. This has to be the best day of my life," a weeping Hirst told a packed audience at the Allstars' lavish annual ceremony.

Golden boot winner Worswick paid tribute to Hirst's "sensational performances," admitting that he had been a "worthy winner."

Peter Mengerink gained three votes to secure the Fans' Player of the Year award after a string of excellent performances between the sticks for the Reds and, in the Most Improved Player of the Year category, Karl Stewart controversially snatched the award from James Eagle.

By four votes to three Stewart later admitted that he had voted tactically, opting for Mengerink instead of Eagle as his favoured candidate.

In the final award, Katie Gilmore was crowned Fan of the Year, holding off the challenge from hot-favourite Monty Goldman, Daniel Coysh, Ros Sitwell and Amrita Dirghangi.