Two of Lismore's most exciting to watch and talented footballers, South Lismore Celtic FC captain Paddy Kable and Lismore Thistles Soccer Club captain Elsa Mangan have been awarded Football Far North Coast Player (male and female) of the Year.

The awards were the highlight of a glittering function with 250 people representing the 24 clubs, sponsors and community guests at Lismore Workers Club last night.

Kable, who leads by example, has scored a career-high 21 goals from midfield as South Lismore finished runners-up in Premier Division this season and will play the Qualifying Final against Minor Premiers Byron Bay on Sunday afternoon. He has never scored more than 10 goals in Premier Division.

"I first coached Paddy when he was 12 years old so it was a special moment for me to see him awarded and recognised as the best player in FFNC for season 2019," said South Lismore coach Cameron Hyde.

"He epitomises the commitment and hard work displayed by our entire squad to be successful and no one deserves this award more than Patrick."

Kable said "it’s a nice feeling. I’m more pleased with our result Friday night though" referring to his side's 4-1 defeat of Richmond Rovers in South Lismore on Friday night.

"I generally work pretty hard before the season to get myself fit so nothing's changed there. I don’t really think I have changed a whole lot on the pitch either. I think that I have probably been a little more clinical when chances have come my way this season and we as a team have probably created a lot more chances this season which is nice," Kable said.

Mangan, who combines football with playing for Coolangatta Bluebirds in the QAFLW, said she was delighted to be given the award.

"I’m extremely humbled and so appreciative to be topping my 10th season of premier league football off with such an honour," Mangan said. 

"Never did I think when I started playing at Casino Cobras in 2003 would I be awarded something like this 16 years later. A huge credit goes to the coaches and teammates I’ve had over the years, particularly in my early playing days. Without these people I know I wouldn’t love the game the way I do today and for that I am eternally grateful."

Paul Albertini, Mangan's coach at Lismore Thistles, said she leads by example.

"I can't remember Elsa ever having an off game. She is a very good player and a lovely woman," Albertini said.

Mangan said it was 10 seasons ago that both Kable and herself won FFNC Representative Player of the Year (male & female) Awards in 2009.

"Football Far North Coast Awards Night was also an opportunity to recognise individual teams in the fourteen senior divisions that were declared as the fair play winners," said FFNC general manager Steve Mackney. "Lismore Thistles received a $500 merchandising voucher as the club was named the inaugural Fair Play Club, as a Football Far North Coast initiative to urge all participants and member clubs to promote more respect and a positive spirit of the game."

"Donations were also made on behalf of the football community to the local Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Our Kids, with John Bancroft and Rebekah Battista on hand to speak on behalf of the respective organisations that do extraordinary work within the local region. Long term strategic partners with Football Far North Coast, Newcastle Permanent Building Society, Tursa Employment & Training and Lismore Workers Club, had delegates on hand to confirm a continued alignment with the sport and the community more broadly," Mackney said.

Full list of major winners:

Dedication to Football Award: Wally Edwards, Lismore Richmond Rovers FC;

Club Championship for 2019: Byron Bay;

Women’s Premier Division Golden Boot: Olivia Collins, Lismore Thistles, 17 goals

Men’s Premier Division Golden Boot: Lisandro Luaces, Byron Bay 24 goals

Referee of the Year: Connor Johnston

Women’s Premier Division Coach of the Year: Thaya Evenden, Lennox Head

Men’s Premier Division Coach of the Year: Damon Bell, Byron Bay

Women’s Premier Division Team of the Year: 1. Arky Ryall, Lismore Thistles; 2. Violet Innes, Byron Bay; 3. Brittney Webster, Alstonville; 4. Natalia Brooker, Lismore Thistles; 5. Maddie Green, Byron Bay; 6. Chelsea Coleman, Lennox Head; 7. Elsa Mangan, Lismore Thistles; 8. Laura Marlowe, Italo Stars; 9. Jessie Jordan, Alstonville; 10. Lisa Bolt, Alstonville; 11. Olivia Collins, Lismore Thistles

Men’s Premier Division Team of the Year: 1. Pierce Essery, Byron Bay; 2. Jeremy Perkins, Richmond Rovers; 3. James Tomlinson, Byron Bay; 4. Shayne Smith, Richmond Rovers; 5. Bobby Bugden, Richmond Rovers; 6. Joel Rudgley, Bangalow; 7. Oscar Stahl, Lismore Thistles; 8. Paddy Kable, South Lismore; 9. Diego Vasquez, Byron Bay; 10: Jye Wilson, Lismore Thistles, 11. Lisandro Luaces, Byron Bay