Bell's Monthly Awards for October, 2005

BELL'S Player of the Month: Jukka Santala, Partick Thistle F.C.

BELL'S Young Player of the Month: Bobby Linn, Peterhead F.C.

BELL'S Manger of the Month, First Division: Billy Reid, Hamilton Academical F.C.

BELL'S Manager of the Month, Second Division: Rowan Alexander, Gretna F.C.

BELL'S Manager of the Month, Third Division: Mixu Paatelainen, Berwick Rangers F.C.

Despite their recent disappointment at the BELL'S Cup Final, Hamilton have cause for celebration as Manager Billy Reid picks up his second award this season as BELL'S First Division Manager of the Month.

Manager Billy has had an exceptional October which has not only pushed Hamilton into the frame for promotion, but which also took the club to their third SFL Cup Final appearance in 14 seasons (in 1991, 1992 and 2005).

Iain MacDonald, BELL'S Sponsorship Manager, comments: "Billy had an outstanding month in October and worked hard to ensure a consistent level of success from his team. As such, the judges felt he was a natural choice for this award."

Rowan Alexander, Manager of Gretna FC, has emerged victorious for the second consecutive month this season as he scoops another BELL'S Manager of the Month award.

Rowan is a regular recipient of BELL'S awards, having won the Manager of the Month award three times last season and capping this by winning Manager of the Year at last season's BELL'S Annual Awards. He looks set to continue in the same vein this year with this latest achievement.

The success of Rowan in the BELL'S monthly awards mirrors the success of his team on the field as they put together 27 consecutive league games without defeat.

Iain MacDonald, BELL'S Sponsorship Manager, comments: "Rowan is one of the most regular winners in the BELL'S monthly awards. This latest trophy is testament to the consistent proficiency of his management skills at Gretna."

The BELL'S October awards sees two Finns win awards in their respective categories. Mixu Paatelainen of Cowdenbeath FC picks up the Manager of the Month (Third Division) while Jukka Santala of Partick Thistle FC takes the Player of the Month. Mixu and Jukka are the first Scandinavians to win the award, making it a double win for Finland in the month of October.

Mixu, 38, came to Cowdenbeath in August from St Mirren where he was coach. His position at Cowdenbeath is his first job as a manager. He is a Finnish full international and came to Scotland in 1987 when he joined Dundee United, later playing with Aberdeen and Hibs.

Player of the Month, Jukka Santala, is on loan to the club from Rangers and has helped to turn Thistle around in the promotion race with a total of nine goals. He is the Second Division's top scorer and will be with Thistle until December.

Iain MacDonald, BELL'S Sponsorship Manager, comments: "To have nationals from Finland making such a mark on Scottish football at the same time is a remarkable coincidence, but both Mixu and Jukka deserve recognition on their own merits and the contribution they made to their respective clubs in October."

Bobby Linn of Peterhead FC, 20, has been awarded the BELL'S Young Player of the Month Award for October after an outstanding start to the season.

Bobby, born in Dundee, joined his hometown club before moving to Peterhead this season. The young player has had an outstanding month in October and has scored eight league goals this season.

Iain Macdonald, BELL'S Sponsorship Manager, comments: "After such impressive start to the season, Bobby was a popular choice for the Young Player of the Month award."

The judging panel for the BELL'S Monthly Awards consisted of representatives from the Scottish media.