O'Brien thought award was a wind-up

Forfar midfielder is Ladbrokes League Two Player of the Month

Thomas O'Brien picked up the Ladbrokes League Two Player of the Month award for September - and told how he thought it was all a wind-up from his Forfar team-mates.

The Loons midfielder was rewarded for playing a big part in his side continuing their strong start to the season.

Forfar currently lead League Two by six points with a game in hand - helped in a huge way by winning their first seven games of the season.

That meant they had a 100% record through August and September and led to Gary Bollan scooping back-to-back Manager of the Month awards.

Despite putting in some strong combative midfield displays and chipping in with a big goal in the 1-0 win away at rivals Clyde, O'Brien admitted his surprise at winning the gong.

Monthly awards have typically gone to goalscorers in the past and that's why he believed it was a wind-up from his team-mates after finding out the news.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Ladbrokes News, O'Brien said: "I was a little bit sceptical after getting the phone call - I thought it may have been one of the boys winding me up.

"I'm surprised. It's good to win, but I didn't expect it at all.

"Usually it's boys who score goals for fun who get the awards. I've been playing just in front of the back four this season.

"But I put it down to the team. We've been doing well and picking up results we need. Getting the award is down to the team."

O'Brien recognises the big impact Bollan has had on the team - evidenced with his back-to-back awards to kick the season off.

But he admits it's all about hard work and joked that the Forfar boss could double as an athletics coach with all the running he gives his squad.

O'Brien added: "The gaffer is great, he's good to work with. He could be an athletics coach as well, but he's about hard work.

"We put it in for training as much as we do in games. There's no hiding with him.

"This season everyone is contributing. Last one was just one of those seasons - we've got it out of our system, brought some new boys in and it's great winning games again."