STEWART Plant’s voice trembled on Sunday afternoon when he told Matthew Langridge what his victory in Rio had meant to members at Northwich Rowing Club.

There were so many of them present for the annual prize ceremony that some stood outside on chairs, others on the tips of their toes, to hear the captain’s speech.

“Every one of us that stood screaming at that television screen in the corner that sunny August day couldn’t be more proud of what you’ve achieved,” he said.

“Our colours, green and gold, run through all of us and, in what’s been a year of history, you realised a dream.”

Graham Evans, MP for Weaver Vale, then presented Langridge – a gold medal-winner with Team GB’s men’s eight in Brazil – with the George Musker Trophy.

Named after a man who was boatman at the club for almost 40 years, it acknowledges an outstanding achievement on the water.

Langridge has not taken it home with him since 2009.

“It shows by how much standards have risen here that I’ve had to become an Olympic champion to get my hands on it again,” he quipped.

“I’m not a guy that shows much emotion, except maybe for disappointment on the podium after a race I’ve not won.

“But one of the things that has choked me most since the final in Rio was seeing a video online of you all watching the final – that definitely got to me.

“To see how happy it made everybody reminds me how proud I am to have started out here.

“It hasn’t changed too much since, mind, and I remember putting in a lot of training hours.

“But it never occurred to me back then I’d one day come back with a gold medal.”

The 33-year-old, who had presented the other awards earlier in the afternoon, then posed for a picture outside the boathouse with the other winners.

They stood beneath a new sign, put up earlier the same day, which – in gold script on a dark green background – reads: ‘Northwich Rowing Club, home of Matt Langridge, Olympic champion’.

Beth Willford-Dutton received the junior of the year award after making her debut for Great Britain at the Coupe de la Jeunesse, while Rhys Coffey and George Crouchley’s selection for England at the Home International Regatta was recognised when they were presented with the Grange School Trophy for Endeavour.

Rachel Hooper and Kevin Jump shared the coaching prize for their work with the club’s rapidly-improving girls’ squad, while cox Sophie Garlick, aged 12, was the youngest recipient of a trophy.

George Musker Awards

Chairman’s Trophy, Catherine Lawton

Salt of the Earth Award, Ellie Preece

Eddie Phillips Trophy for best junior, Beth Willford-Dutton

Eddie Phillips Trophy for best veteran, Bernie Meegan

Irvine Award for most improved rower, Lesley Teall

Simon Crouchley Coaching Award, Rachel Hooper and Kevin Jump

Dennis Mills Coxing Award, Sophie Garlick

Bill Cotton Award, Ian Coffey

Grange School Trophy for Endeavour, Rhys Coffey and George Crouchley

George Musker Trophy, Matthew Langridge