January 2026 Player of the Month announced
Tue 17th February 2026 | League Awards | By Martin Fallon
The Winners of the Player of the Month Awards for January 2026 have been announced by the NWCFL.
PREMIER DIVISION
The North West Counties League Premier Division Player of the Month Award for January 2026 has gone to Christian Mukoko of Burscough. This is the first time that Christian has won this award with last time that a Burscough player won it coming over seven years ago in August 2018 through Terry Cummins.
The 19-year old joined Burscough at the start of this season having played 12 games for Atherton LR last season. He has made himself an ever present at Burscough though this season, making 40 appearances so far.
The opening game of the month for Christian was on the bench away at Pilkington. He came on as substitute in the 63rd minute, and just 12 minutes later found himself on the scoresheet as Callum Laird put him through. He then added another in similar fashion a minute from time, helping to inspire his side to a 6-2 victory.
Next was a trip to the Isle of Man and a return to the starting XI. His work rate and all-round contribution played a key role in helping his side to keep a clean sheet in a 1-0 win, and he took that form into the next game at South Liverpool with his side winning 5-2, Mukoko setting up Laird for the final goal of the game.
Growing in confidence with every game, he put in a commanding performance in the goalless draw at Cheadle Town, with the hosts awarding him Man of the Match. In the next game at home to Charnock, Mukoko opened the scoring on 49 minutes as he confidently rounded the keeper before slotting home. He then slotted home the third goal of the game in a 3-1 win and won his second Man of the Match award of the month.
He played against Prestwich Heys in a 1-1 draw, then won yet another Man of the Match against City of Liverpool where his performance helped his side to a 7-1 win. Much of the Linnets' attacking play went through him in the first half, and he rounded off the half with his fourth goal of the month when he slotted past the keeper just before half time. Ten minutes into the second half he was send clear and crossed for Laird to slot home the fifth, and was brought off to a standing ovation with 20 minutes to go.
The final game of the month at home to West Didsbury & Chorlton saw Mukoko again causing mayhem with his play. Burscough won 1-0 with Mukoko named Man of the Match for the fourth time in the eight games played that month.
Eight games, five goals and four Man of the Match wins is certainly a great return for Christian Mukoko this month.
Congratulations Christian
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
The First Division North Player of the Month for January 2026 goes to Danny Ventre of MSB Woolton. Not only is this the first time that Daniel has won this award, it is also the first time that MSB Woolton have won any of our monthly awards since they came into the league at the start of the season.
Danny has had a long and successful career, starting off by winning the National League with Accrington Stanley in 2006. A seven year spell in Ireland followed, most notably with Sligo Rovers who he helped win the League of Ireland and three FAI Cups. Upon returning to England, he has had spells at AFC Telford United, Warrington Town, Skelmersdale United and Widnes, before joining MSB Woolton a few years ago.
This season has seen Danny help Woolton settle in to the NWCFL, playing 27 games and scoring 17 goals so far, with January being his best month to date.
The month started with a home game against Thornton Cleveleys. The game finished 2-1 with Danny scoring the all important second goal just before half time from the penalty spot. Next came a game against NPL West side Runcorn Linnets in the Liverpool Cup. With two leagues between the sides, Linnets won 2-1 with Danny again scoring from the spot.
The third game was away at Holker Old Boys with Woolton drawing 2-2. Danny was not involved in either goal for Woolton, but his all around holding and linking play with the ball enough to see him stand out in this fixture and be awarded the Man of the Match.
Another Man of the Match followed in the next game which was a 2-1 win at home to Ashton Town. As well as his performance in this game, he also scored both goals for Woolton on the day to give them the win. The first was yet another penalty which brought his team level on the stroke of half time, with the second a superb turn and first time shot into the bottom corner from inside the box.
The final game was at home to Droylsden on the last day of the month with Danny saving his best performance until this game. He inspired his side to a superb 4-1 win that took his side to the top of the First Division North. Danny opened the scoring after four minutes by rounding off a good team move with a cool finish. On the stroke of half time he doubled the lead with a superb finish from the edge of the box.
Straight from kick off Danny had a chance to complete his hat-trick, his effort was saved but teammate Lucas Wilson followed up to make it three. However four minutes later he did get his third with another excellent finish to make it 4-0. The game finished 4-1 with Danny picking up his third Man of the Match award in succession.
Danny played five games in the month, scoring seven goals and picking up three Man of the Match wins.
Congratulations to Danny on a fine month.
FIRST DIVISION SOUTH
The First Division South Player of the Month for January 2026 goes to midfielder Jack Ryan of Cheadle Heath Nomads. This is the first time that Jack has won this award and also the first time a Cheadle Heath outfield player has won this award.
The 25-year old is no stranger around the NWCFL, first appearing for Maine Road as a 16-year old in the 2016/17 season. He went on to play for West Didsbury & Chorlton before moving to Cheadle Heath at the start of the 2023/24 season.
Cheadle's month started with an impressive 3-2 home win over Stafford Town, Jack's workrate and ability to keep the bacll impressing in this game as he was named Man of the Match. Another Man of the Match came in the next game away at Barnton. The game finished goalless but it wasn't for the effort with Jack again standing out in the game.
The third game saw Cheadle lose narrowly at home to Ashville, who returned to the Wirral with a 1-0 win. The final game was one to forget from a Cheadle point of view as they lost 5-0 away at Haughmond, however once again Jack stood out to collect his third Man of the Match of the month.
Overall four games played with three Man of the Match awards won, which makes him more than deserved the player of the month for January. It's only a matter of time before performances such as this turn into wins for Cheadle.
Congratulations Jack!
January 2026 Player of the Month announced
Tue 17th February 2026 | League Awards
By Martin Fallon
The Winners of the Player of the Month Awards for January 2026 have been announced by the NWCFL.
PREMIER DIVISION
The North West Counties League Premier Division Player of the Month Award for January 2026 has gone to Christian Mukoko of Burscough. This is the first time that Christian has won this award with last time that a Burscough player won it coming over seven years ago in August 2018 through Terry Cummins.
The 19-year old joined Burscough at the start of this season having played 12 games for Atherton LR last season. He has made himself an ever present at Burscough though this season, making 40 appearances so far.
The opening game of the month for Christian was on the bench away at Pilkington. He came on as substitute in the 63rd minute, and just 12 minutes later found himself on the scoresheet as Callum Laird put him through. He then added another in similar fashion a minute from time, helping to inspire his side to a 6-2 victory.
Next was a trip to the Isle of Man and a return to the starting XI. His work rate and all-round contribution played a key role in helping his side to keep a clean sheet in a 1-0 win, and he took that form into the next game at South Liverpool with his side winning 5-2, Mukoko setting up Laird for the final goal of the game.
Growing in confidence with every game, he put in a commanding performance in the goalless draw at Cheadle Town, with the hosts awarding him Man of the Match. In the next game at home to Charnock, Mukoko opened the scoring on 49 minutes as he confidently rounded the keeper before slotting home. He then slotted home the third goal of the game in a 3-1 win and won his second Man of the Match award of the month.
He played against Prestwich Heys in a 1-1 draw, then won yet another Man of the Match against City of Liverpool where his performance helped his side to a 7-1 win. Much of the Linnets' attacking play went through him in the first half, and he rounded off the half with his fourth goal of the month when he slotted past the keeper just before half time. Ten minutes into the second half he was send clear and crossed for Laird to slot home the fifth, and was brought off to a standing ovation with 20 minutes to go.
The final game of the month at home to West Didsbury & Chorlton saw Mukoko again causing mayhem with his play. Burscough won 1-0 with Mukoko named Man of the Match for the fourth time in the eight games played that month.
Eight games, five goals and four Man of the Match wins is certainly a great return for Christian Mukoko this month.
Congratulations Christian
FIRST DIVISION NORTH
The First Division North Player of the Month for January 2026 goes to Danny Ventre of MSB Woolton. Not only is this the first time that Daniel has won this award, it is also the first time that MSB Woolton have won any of our monthly awards since they came into the league at the start of the season.
Danny has had a long and successful career, starting off by winning the National League with Accrington Stanley in 2006. A seven year spell in Ireland followed, most notably with Sligo Rovers who he helped win the League of Ireland and three FAI Cups. Upon returning to England, he has had spells at AFC Telford United, Warrington Town, Skelmersdale United and Widnes, before joining MSB Woolton a few years ago.
This season has seen Danny help Woolton settle in to the NWCFL, playing 27 games and scoring 17 goals so far, with January being his best month to date.
The month started with a home game against Thornton Cleveleys. The game finished 2-1 with Danny scoring the all important second goal just before half time from the penalty spot. Next came a game against NPL West side Runcorn Linnets in the Liverpool Cup. With two leagues between the sides, Linnets won 2-1 with Danny again scoring from the spot.
The third game was away at Holker Old Boys with Woolton drawing 2-2. Danny was not involved in either goal for Woolton, but his all around holding and linking play with the ball enough to see him stand out in this fixture and be awarded the Man of the Match.
Another Man of the Match followed in the next game which was a 2-1 win at home to Ashton Town. As well as his performance in this game, he also scored both goals for Woolton on the day to give them the win. The first was yet another penalty which brought his team level on the stroke of half time, with the second a superb turn and first time shot into the bottom corner from inside the box.
The final game was at home to Droylsden on the last day of the month with Danny saving his best performance until this game. He inspired his side to a superb 4-1 win that took his side to the top of the First Division North. Danny opened the scoring after four minutes by rounding off a good team move with a cool finish. On the stroke of half time he doubled the lead with a superb finish from the edge of the box.
Straight from kick off Danny had a chance to complete his hat-trick, his effort was saved but teammate Lucas Wilson followed up to make it three. However four minutes later he did get his third with another excellent finish to make it 4-0. The game finished 4-1 with Danny picking up his third Man of the Match award in succession.
Danny played five games in the month, scoring seven goals and picking up three Man of the Match wins.
Congratulations to Danny on a fine month.
FIRST DIVISION SOUTH
The First Division South Player of the Month for January 2026 goes to midfielder Jack Ryan of Cheadle Heath Nomads. This is the first time that Jack has won this award and also the first time a Cheadle Heath outfield player has won this award.
The 25-year old is no stranger around the NWCFL, first appearing for Maine Road as a 16-year old in the 2016/17 season. He went on to play for West Didsbury & Chorlton before moving to Cheadle Heath at the start of the 2023/24 season.
Cheadle's month started with an impressive 3-2 home win over Stafford Town, Jack's workrate and ability to keep the bacll impressing in this game as he was named Man of the Match. Another Man of the Match came in the next game away at Barnton. The game finished goalless but it wasn't for the effort with Jack again standing out in the game.
The third game saw Cheadle lose narrowly at home to Ashville, who returned to the Wirral with a 1-0 win. The final game was one to forget from a Cheadle point of view as they lost 5-0 away at Haughmond, however once again Jack stood out to collect his third Man of the Match of the month.
Overall four games played with three Man of the Match awards won, which makes him more than deserved the player of the month for January. It's only a matter of time before performances such as this turn into wins for Cheadle.
Congratulations Jack!
