MBNA NORTHWEST FOOTBALL AWARDS 2010 WINNERS
Football legends past and present were out in force last night as the winners of the MBNA Northwest Football Awards were revealed.
The awards, which celebrated the region’s footballing achievements on and off the pitch, took place at The Point and were attended by more than 450 VIP guests from the football and business world.
Chung-Yong Lee was a surprise winner of the North West Premier League Player of the Year title. The South Korean international, who enjoyed a great season in midfield for Bolton, beat strong competition from Wayne Rooney and Leighton Baines in the public vote.
Charlie Adam capped a fantastic season for Blackpool, collecting the Championship award and Tranmere’s Ian Goodison and Rochdale’s Craig Dawson picked up the League One and Two titles respectively.
Blackpool legend Jimmy Armfield CBE was the recipient of a lifetime achievement award. The former England defender, who now works for BBC Sport, was honoured for his career in football, which has spanned more than five decades.
In addition to successes on the pitch, football clubs off-field activities were celebrated in awards decided by an expert judging panel, including PFA chief executive, Gordon Taylor.
Manchester City and Everton picked up two awards each for their commercial and community activities. Blackburn Rovers and Stockport County also picked up gongs at the ceremony.
Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the PFA and awards judges, said: “It was a tough job choosing winners among all the entries we received. The work happening at football clubs and businesses in the region is of an exceptionally high standard.
“It’s clear that the clubs are contributing significantly to their communities and the fans are really giving back – as showed with the huge numbers of votes we received.”
Ed Chamberlain, awards host, said: “It’s a pleasure to be involved in the awards and see first-hand the great work that is being carried out across the North West.
“Chung-Yong had such a big influence on Bolton last season and it’s fantastic to see that recognised, along with players from other leagues whose performances can sometimes get overlooked.”
The North West’s businesses were also recognised in two award categories for their services to football. Deloittes and Barclays shared the professional services title, while Kitbag scooped the award for business services to football.
The winners in full:
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Jimmy Armfield
Voted for by fans
- Premier League Player of the Year – Chung-Yong Lee, Bolton Wanderers
- Championship Player of the Year – Charlie Adam, Blackpool
- League One Player of the Year – Ian Goodison, Tranmere Rovers
- League Two Player of the Year – Craig Dawson, Rochdale
- Conference Player of the Year – Robin Culbert, Barrow
- Community Project of the Year – Everton
- Community Scheme of the Year – Blackburn Rovers
- Best Club Marketing (Premier League) – Manchester City and Everton (DUAL WINNERS)
- Best Club Marketing (Football League) – Stockport County
- Best Club Sponsorship – Manchester City and Eithad
- Professional Services to Football – Deloittes and Barclays (DUAL WINNERS)
- Business Services to Football – Kitbag
For more information please contact Katherine Swift on 07894 099072 or katherine@northwestfootballawards.co.uk
