Gillingham goalkeeper Glenn Morris has been named the Sky Bet League 2 player-of-the-month for September.
Manager Mark Bonner was up for the manager’s award but Port Vale’s Darren Moore got the nod this time around.
Morris had a terrific month, after stepping in to replace injured Jake Turner between the sticks.
Reacting to the news, boss Mark Bonner said: “He’ll be the first to credit everybody else and say others have helped and defending is a team game and everything, but at the same time, he’s helped us keep some clean sheets with some brilliant saves.
“When he’s having to celebrate becoming the oldest player in the club’s history to play a few weeks ago, it’s probably really nice for him to celebrate just being good rather than being old.
“I’m sure he’s delighted that he gets recognition for that and as he nears 600 games as a professional.
“It’s an amazing achievement to collect the award and for it to be the first that he’s had.
“We’re so happy for him. It’s great and it’s a good testament to everybody.
“It’s great for the goalkeeping union that pushes each other every day. It’s great for Deren (Ibrahim the goalkeeper coach) who works brilliantly with them and as I always say any individual awards are a credit to everybody but we’re really pleased for Glenn.”
Morris followed up a clean sheet against Chesterfield at the end of August by claiming successive shut-outs against Tranmere, Notts County and Barrow during September.
In his four league games, Morris conceded only once, in a 1-0 defeat to Doncaster.
During that month the Gills twice beat teams at the top, winning 1-0 at Notts County and following that up with victory over Barrow at Priestfield.
Morris added: “It’s something I couldn’t have done without the rest of the team because they’re the ones that put their body on the line to get the clean sheet.
“I’m just there to do my job at the end of the day to save the ball.”
Those results meant Bonner was up for the monthly award again after clinching the trophy for August.
Former Gills defender and veteran manager Steve Bruce took the League 1 award after a super first month at Blackpool.
The manager-of-the-month judging panel comprises former Barnsley manager Danny Wilson while EFL chief executive Trevor Birch sits on the player panel along with Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman and Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies.
Following Morris’ award, Goodman said: “Glenn Morris’ experience helped Gillingham navigate a tricky fixture list and finish September at the summit of League Two.
“Keepers aren’t always given the credit they deserve, but Morris will be a key figure for Mark Bonner’s team as they chase promotion this season.”
Davies added: “Glenn Morris, Gillingham’s veteran goalkeeper, has
played a crucial role in his side’s early-season success as they currently sit 2 nd in League 2 after ten games.
“Morris has repeatedly come to Gillingham’s rescue this season, delivering standout performances which included clean sheets against Notts County and Barrow.”
Unfortunately the Gills couldn’t take that September form into October, losing both games so far against Grimsby Town and Crewe Alexandra. They remain joint top of the division.
