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Six divisions and six managers recognised as the GDSFC September Manager of the Month awards highlight some of the stories developing across the league.
There were perfect months, statement victories, unbeaten runs and promoted sides making their mark at a higher level.
Footy Focus has been speaking to several of the winners — and behind the results are six very different stories.
Premiership — Jamie Butler, Maryhill Milan
Five league games and five wins put Maryhill Milan top of the Premiership, with their 6–1 victory away to Todholm providing an emphatic end to September.
That was enough to earn Jamie Butler the Premiership award.
But despite the perfect start, Butler was quick to put it into perspective.
“Nobody wins anything in September, so we can’t afford to get ahead of ourselves.”
He believes the speed at which the squad has gelled, combined with their hunger and willingness to work for each other, has been central to the start.
And Butler insists the award belongs to far more than one person.
“It might be my name on the award, but it speaks volumes about the whole group and what we’re doing together.”
READ MORE: Jamie Butler — “Nobody Wins Anything in September”
https://footyfous2627.blog/2026/10/03/jamie-butler-nobody-wins-anything-september/
Championship — Stephen Armstrong, Cale Spartans
This was one of the closest calls of the month.
With only one round of Championship fixtures to judge, Nim felt there were three potential candidates, with Kilsyth Athletic Colts also strongly considered.
Cale Spartans’ victory over the league leaders proved decisive and earned Stephen Armstrong the award.
Cale were sitting third on nine points when the award was decided, just one point behind leaders Rossvale.
It continues a successful period for the club after last season’s Division One and Scottish Sunday Trophy double.
Footy Focus previously spoke to Stephen’s brother Sean Armstrong about the family connections running through Cale.
Now it is Stephen receiving the recognition from the dugout as the club takes on its latest challenge.
Division One — Ryan Lamont, Springhall Spartans
Three games and three wins made September a perfect league month for Springhall Spartans, taking them to the top of Division One and earning Ryan Lamont the Manager of the Month award.
For Lamont, the standout was a 4–2 victory over Steins.
“The first half was scrappy. In the second half the boys really stepped up and showed their quality.”
Springhall have now beaten Steins twice in competitive encounters, but their strong start has foundations stretching back further than September.
Most of the squad are now in their third season together. Springhall retained the majority of last season’s group before adding in the areas Lamont felt needed strengthened.
“Last season we felt we should have done a lot better and dropped points when we really shouldn’t have. The boys aren’t looking to make the same mistakes this season.”
That continuity has also created a close-knit group.
“Right across the management and playing squad we know each other really well. The players who have come on board have fit in really well — and it shows on the park.”
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Division Two — Alan Skelton, Vale AFC
Vale AFC’s unbeaten start following promotion has continued into Division Two, with Alan Skelton collecting September’s award.
Nim highlighted not only Vale’s results but the calibre of opposition they had beaten when making another close decision.
Skelton always expected the step up to be demanding.
“I was under no illusion that Division Two was going to be a challenge.”
Such was his view of the division before the season that he told the Vale squad at their AGM he genuinely couldn’t predict either the champions or the teams likely to be relegated.
What he never doubted was his own group.
“We’ve worked hard for the last few years to put a team on the park that strives on belief and that anything is possible.”
Vale also won the September award last season, although Skelton was away for much of the month and handed the recognition to stand-in manager Gavin Quinn.
This time he still sees it as something shared.
“For me it’s a collective award that we have all achieved together.”
READ MORE: Inside Verdict — Alan Skelton: Vale Are Building Something Made to Last
Division Three — James Gilholm, West End United
Two wins and a draw gave West End United an unbeaten September and helped take them to the top of Division Three.
Manager James Gilholm believes confidence and a new formation have both played their part, but our conversation with him uncovered another interesting feature of this West End squad.
Their oldest player is just 22.
West End grew from a group of friends wanting to create a football club, and Gilholm believes those relationships remain one of their strengths.
“We genuinely are all friends outside of the club.”
After losing their opening game, West End responded quickly and went through September unbeaten.
For Gilholm, the togetherness within such a young squad has been every bit as important as their ability.
READ MORE: James Gilholm — Young, Unbeaten and Growing Together
https://footyfous2627.blog/2026/10/05/gdsfc-september-awards-james-gilholm-west-end/
Division Four — Jed Connell, Woodhill AFC
Three games. Three wins. Three clean sheets.
September continued Woodhill AFC’s remarkable opening run and earned Jed Connell the Division Four award.
At the time of the award, Woodhill had won all seven of their league games and scored 50 goals.
But behind those numbers is a story that started with a group of friends wanting to form their own Sunday team.
Eventually, a night in the local pub helped turn the conversation into reality.
“I believe a few lads down the local pub one night finally got things moving, with our goalie/chairman Jamie contacting the league and organising everything.”
Many of the squad had played together previously, something Connell believes explains why Woodhill have clicked so quickly.
And after identifying clean sheets as an area they wanted to improve, September brought three in succession.
READ MORE: Jed Connell — From a Pub Conversation to a Perfect Start
https://footyfous2627.blog/2026/10/04/gdsfc-september-awards-jed-connell-woodhill/
Six Winners, Six Stories
September’s awards show that there is no single formula for recognition.
A perfect Premiership start for Milan. A key Championship victory for Cale. Maximum points for Springhall. Vale carrying their momentum into a higher division. A young West End side growing together. And a new Woodhill team making an immediate impression.
Six managers recognised — and six more stories from across the GDSFC.
