THE stars of Swindon sport are set to gather at the Four Pillars Hotel on Thursday night for the Advertiser’s Sports Awards 2013.

Gongs including Sports Personality of the Year, Unsung Hero of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award will be handed out as we remember another sensational year of sport across the region.

The contenders for the Sports Personality prize are local boxing promoter Keith Mayo, ice hockey legend Daryl Lipsey, Swindon Robins boss Alun Rossiter - who won the award 12 months ago - and Wrag Barn golf coach Richard Ward.

Advertiser sports editor Steve Butt said the popular field all richly deserve their place on the shortlist.

He said: “All four guys truly represent Swindon in the best possible light. They have all dedicated their time to promoting their respective sport in the town and it’s great that we have the chance to honour them.”

Swindon Town’s stalwart Roger Reeves has been a popular nomination in the Unsung Hero category, having spent two decades supporting the club’s ladies team and the senior side at the County Ground, while other contenders include Pat ‘Ma’ Lewis - Nationwide Cricket Club’s famous tealady, Wroughton FC’s Mal Criddle and Harry Scott of Walcot ABC.

Butt said: “This is my favourite award of the night, as the nominations come from our readers and it gives us the chance to bring to light some of the men and women who really keep their clubs going.

“All four deserve to win for what they have put into local sport scene and it will be great to see them at the evening.”

The identity of the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement award will be kept under wraps until the night, while the winners of other categories including Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year and Performance of the Year are set to be announced.

Among the guests is expected to be IBO Inter-Continental super middleweight champion Kelvin Young and his trainer Rich Farnan and Rossiter.

FULL LIST OF NOMINEES

Sports Personality of the Year: Alun Rossiter (speedway), Daryl Lipsey (ice hockey), Keith Mayo (boxing), Richard Ward (golf)

Unsung Hero: Roger Reeves (football), Pat Lewis (cricket), Mal Criddle (football), Harry Scott (boxing)

Sportsman of the Year: Kelvin Young (boxing), Wayne Hutchinson (horse racing), David Howell (golf), Andrew Nicholson (equestrian).

Sportswoman of the Year: Jazz Carlin (swimming), Tilly Gray (swimming), Laura Collett (equestrian), Anne Dunham (para equestrian).

Young Sportsman of the Year: Jimmy McDonagh (boxing), Paddy McDonagh (boxing), Jake Goodwin (cricket), Louis Thompson (football).

Young Sportswoman of the Year: Laura Halford (rhythmic gymnastics), Katie Warren (golf), Jess Mendoza (equestrian), Jordan O’Donoghue (boxing).

Team of the Year: Wootton Bassett Football Club (football), Swindon Cricket Club (cricket), Swindon Dolphin (swimming), North Wilts Hockey club (hockey).

Young Team of the Year: Wrag Barn Golf Club juniors (golf), Swindon Cricket Club (cricket), Swindon Flames (skater hockey), Walcot Amateur Boxing Club (boxing).

Coach of the Year: Anna Mayes (netball), Richard Ward (golf), Richard Farnan (boxing), Dave Turner (football).

Performance of the Year: David Howell (golf), Swindon Town Football Club (football), Toby Horton (cricket), Swindon Robins (speedway).