Goalkeeper Clint Bolton has revealed his pride in claiming Melbourne Heart FC’s inaugural Player of the Year award.
Goalkeeper Clint Bolton has revealed his pride in claiming Melbourne Heart FC-s inaugural Player of the Year award.
The former Socceroo stopper was adjudged to have been Heart-s most stellar performer during the Club-s inaugural season, producing a string of stunning performances across his 30 appearances this season, which featured seven clean sheets.
While Bolton was delighted to create history, the five time National Champion displayed his trademark determined nature when admitting his disappointment in Heart-s inability to qualify for the Hyundai A-League Finals Series in its debut season.
“Obviously, winning individuals honours is special in its own right, but ultimately I will look back on the season and rue not making the finals,” Bolton said.
“To get this sort of recognition is nice, especially coming from the coaches, who are the ones that judge you ultimately on whether you or not, and that-s a good thing.”
Arriving from Sydney FC, Bolton-s decision to join the Red and White offered the ‘keeper with a chance to once again relive the experience of building a club from scratch.
And it was a challenge the 35 year-old relished, with Bolton stating Heart has built a strong foundation for the future.
Bolton also noted the nature of the Club-s community program, praising Heart-s philosophy and efforts at grassroots level across the State.
“I-ve relished the opportunity to come to a new club. I was there in Sydney when it all took off, and there was always a buzz around the new franchise, and the same thing happened down here at the Heart,” he said.
“Starting something from scratch, it-s just the players, but everyone involved, from the players through to the board. From that perspective, everyone has come together, and we feel like we are on the same level.
“We have done a lot of things off the park, we didn-t quite get the results we wanted on the park, but there are good signs for the future, and the way Heart has engaged the community has been first class.”
