BASINGSTOKE Bison star Kurt Reynolds has been named as the winner of the Gazette Sports Personality of the Year Award 2014.

The 28-year-old Basingstoke-born defenceman was a key member of the Herd’s English Premier League Cup and play-off double-winning team last season.

Reynolds beat off competition from 11 other contenders representing a wide range of sports to claim the coveted Gazette gong at the Basingstoke and Deane Sports Awards.

England’s rugby World Cup winner Emma Croker was the runner-up and Basingstoke and Mid Hants sprinter Owen Richardson was third.

Reynolds became the sixth Basingstoke Bison player to scoop the Gazette Sports Personality of the Year Award when he was presented with the trophy on Friday night.

He follows in the footsteps of Wayne Crawford, Stephen Foster, Tony Redmond, Doug Sheppard and Eric Braff.

He is, however, the first to have started his career in Basingstoke with the under-10 Bison, having been born in the town.

The defenceman moved on to Guildford and played in North America as well as representing Great Britain at both under-18 and under-20 level, winning a gold medal in his final season.

He returned across the Atlantic to play for Bracknell in 2007 and made his senior debut for the Bison a year later, when they were still in the Elite League.

Reynolds has since made the number seven shirt his own, making more than 300 appearances for the club, and he is now in his seventh season in a Bison jersey.

He was a key member of the team as the Herd completed a double-winning season in 2013/14 and is a rock of their defence.

The 28-year-old’s performance did not go unnoticed as he was voted on to the English Premier League All Star Team.

He is a firm favourite with the Herd faithful as he gives 100 per cent on every shift he plays.

Reynolds said: “It is a real honour to win this award and it came as a shock. I am speechless.

“I have been to the awards evening before and not won, so I did not expect to win this time around.”

He added: “Last year was really great, winning two trophies, and it has just got better every year with the Bison.

“After seven years playing for the Basingstoke Bison, it is now in my blood. I want to complete 10 years with the team and have a testimonial.”

Herd player/coach and former Sports Personality winner Doug Sheppard paid tribute Reynolds.

He said: “Kurt is a big part of this club and a player you know will give everything for the club every time he steps on the ice. It is a well deserved award.”

It proved a double winning night for the Bison as they picked up the Senior Team award in recognition of their great season.

The Herd enjoyed one of their best seasons ever as they won the English Premier League Cup and the play-off crowns.

They were their first trophies for 14 years and it was a great way to celebrate the Herd’s 25th anniversary season.

The Bison won the EPL Cup thanks to a semi-final victory over arch rivals the Guildford Flames and they then beat the Milton Keynes Lightning in another two-legged affair, winning the trophy on home ice.

No sooner had that trophy been put in the cabinet than they added the play-off crown.

This was once again after they beat the Flames in a final four showdown, before they getting the better of league champions the Manchester Phoenix in the final.

Bison player/coach Sheppard said: “It is great to see the team honoured and recognised for what they achieved last season.

“We play a big part in the community, so it is nice to be recognised in this way.

“We are aiming to retain our play-off crown later this season and I am sure our fans will be cheering us all the way to victory.”