A Christmas Cracker from earlier this month — recognising impact, leadership, and consistency at Woodbank FC.

It’s early December, and we’re opening the first few of our Christmas Crackers — a daily spotlight on players who’ve made a real mark across our leagues. No gimmicks, just recognition for the ones who set standards.

We’ve gone for Woodbank FC attacker Ciaran Docherty. The Striker has been with his club for a couple of years now and continues to grow his influence season after season.

His first full season brought the Christmas sparkle. More than 25 goals in a team that sometimes struggled to find the net, and a growing influence in the dressing room. Week after week he became the steady figure every squad hopes for — first name on the team sheet without question. Quite possibly the star at the top of the tree.

Midway through the year he took the armband, and by the end of 24/25 he’d earned a festive trio of honours: Players’ Player, Player of the Year, and Top Goalscorer. A captain’s haul worthy of any Christmas stocking.

He’s embraced every bit of the change Woodbank have gone through and stayed right at the heart of it as the club pushed forward. Doc gives you everything across ninety minutes and always carries a goal threat — a festive guarantee every manager wishes they could wrap up and keep. And whether it’s the serious moments or the daft ones, he’s the kind of voice you want in the changing room.

Away from football he’s a grounded, family-orientated lad — the same good character you see on the pitch carries straight into everyday life.

A deserved Christmas Cracker for Woodbank’s main man. 🎁

If you’re talking GCFA Strikers who are big game players then Doc’s name always comes into that conversation.