Northwest Football Awards 2011

The MBNA Northwest Football Awards has revealed the shortlist for its off the pitch awards, such as Community Scheme of the Year and Best Use of New Media.

The awards recognise the region’s footballing excellence on and off the pitch and the nominees have been selected by a panel of expert judges* including PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor, Sky Sports’ Alan Myers and football expert Professor Tom Cannon.

The awards process is supported by businesses and organisations such as the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), the National Football Museum, FIFA, Sky Sports, the Football Foundation and npower.

Fans will decide which players are named Player of the Year in the Premier League, Championship, League One, League Two and Blue Square Bet Premier. Last year, loyal fans voted in their tens of thousands in the categories and with almost a month to go, the site has already been flooded with votes.

Gordon Taylor, judge for the fourth year, said:
“With my role at the PFA and my personal love of football, I’m extremely proud to be on the judging panel and supporting this event. We hope everyone gets behind this to celebrate and honour our region’s talent.”

Fans can vote for their player of the year here.  One player for each league will then be announced as the winner at the awards event on November 14, held at The Point, Lancashire County Cricket Club in Manchester.  Ed Chamberlain of Sky Sports will be once again hosting the evening.

The full shortlist is:

Community Scheme of the Year
Blackburn
Blackpool
Bolton
Everton
City in the Community
Morecambe

Community Scheme – Project of the Year
Blackburn
Blackpool
Bolton
Everton
City in the Community
Wigan

CSR Programme of the Year
Forbes solicitors
MCFC
The Co-operative
The Football League Trust
The Football Pools

Best Club Marketing Campaign
Man Utd/Origin
MCFC
Preston North End
Stockport County/Match Day cards

Best Use of New Media
Everton
Liverpool FC
Liverpool FC/Uniform
Man Utd/Origin
Preston
MCFC

Most Innovative Non-Match Day
MCFC/Ear to the Ground
UCFB/Burnley FC

Professional Services
CBG Group (Sports Division)
Deloitte (Sports Business Group)
George Davies Solicitors
University of Liverpool

Business Services
Astra Signs
ESTC Group
Match Day Cards

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NOTES TO EDITORS

* Full list of judging panel

Alan Myers
North West Bureau Chief – Sky Sports News Alan has over twenty years reporting experience for some of the top clubs and sporting media in the UK. In 1996 he was the first Press Officer for Everton Football Club where he dealt with the media attention that surrounded the appointment of four different managers, a Boardroom takeover and the arrival of Paul Gascoigne! After five years at Everton, Alan then joined Sky Sports News. Now, as North West Bureau Chief, Alan deals with seven Premiership clubs, three Championship clubs and countless league and non-league teams in the Northwest.

Gordon Taylor
Chief Executive – PFA Before joining the PFA in 1980 Gordon was an England schoolboy trialist, originally as an inside forward before establishing himself as a winger with Bolton, playing over 250 games for them. His football career then took him to Birmingham, Blackburn Rovers, and the North American Soccer League for Vancouver Whitecaps before returning to England to join Bury in 1978. In 1978 Gordon was also made Chairman of the PFA, succeeding Derek Dougan. Two years later Gordon went full-time and shortly after became Secretary and Chief Executive of the PFA.

Paul Thorogood
Chief Executive  – Football Foundation Having played football at a credible level in his early life, Paul has been involved in football administration for the past 20 years, during which time he has risen through the RAF County Football Association Executive Committee to become Chairman in 2002.

Maurice Watkins
Joint Senior Partner – Brabners Chaffe Street Solicitors and Director – Manchester United Football Club Limited Maurice has handled numerous high value soccer transfers at home and abroad. He represents clubs and players before FIFA, UEFA, FA, FA Premier League and FAW (Football Association of Wales) disciplinary bodies, the Court of Arbitration for Sport and international and league compensation tribunals. He is also a regular speaker on footballing issues at home and abroad, having represented the Football Association and FA Premier League at recent conferences in Egypt, Qatar, Dubai, Trinidad and Tobago and Japan.

Professor Tom Cannon
CEO – Ideopolis International Ltd Tom’s career includes roles as Director and Chief Executive of Manchester Business School, Chief Executive of the government’s Management Charter Initiative and private sector posts ranging from brand management in fast moving consumer goods to a small specialist development company created by Anita and Gordon Roddick. Ideopolis International’s work, where Tom is CEO, ranges from studies of the “Urban Revolution” to leadership, entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility, innovation and change management

Dan Jones, Partner, Head of Sports Business Group, Deloitte
Dan and his full time team of 15 people work exclusively on sports-related projects at Deloitte.
The team are based in the UK, but work with clients worldwide, partnering with local Deloitte offices as appropriate. In addition to his full time team Dan also works with all other areas of Deloitte to ensure the firm’s full range of specialist skills are available to clients. Dan personally advises clients on strategic, governance, commercial, regulatory, organisational and financial matters. His clients include the ATP Men’s & WTA Women’s tennis tours, the British Horseracing Authority, the Ryder Cup, the Volvo Ocean Race, BMW Oracle Racing, the MCC, the ECB, the West Indies Cricket Board, British Cycling, UCI, UK Sport, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, the Rugby Football Union, the Scottish Rugby Union, the International Rugby Board, IMG, and a number of football clubs in the UK and abroad, as well as UEFA, The FA and the Premier League. He is also an experienced conference speaker and media spokesman and editor of Deloitte’s sports business publications, including the Annual Review of Football Finance and the Football Money League.

Martin O’Boyle – Lead Editor FIFA.com
After brief spells at the BBC, the Liverpool Echo and on Sky Sports, Martin was appointed as Everton Football Club’s Communications Officer in May 2002. During his time at Goodison Park, he acted as the assistant editor of the club’s award-winning website and programme. In May 2005, Martin joined FIFA and is now responsible for the day-to-day running of the English language version of the world governing body’s official website, FIFA.com. He also plays a key role in the organisation’s social media offering, which attracted over half a million Twitter followers in six months. The 30-year-old has played an integral part of FIFA’s communications at no fewer than 14 tournaments around the world, including the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups and the 2008 Olympic Games.

Ryan McKnight
Ryan is the Editor of the leading football business publication, fcbusiness. He is widely regarded as one of the more outspoken commentators on football finance and works closely with clubs, associations and businesses on their football business activity. He was a keen player, playing overseas in Australia, New Zealand and with numerous high level non-league sides domestically.

After huge success for the last five years, the MBNA Northwest Football Awards is back once again.

The Awards, which recognise the region’s footballing excellence, both on and off the pitch, have already gained the support from businesses and organisations such as The PFA, FIFA, Sky Sports and The Football Foundation.

Last year, loyal fans voted in the tens of thousands for the top player categories, with a panel of renowned football experts selecting the corporate teams, which have made the biggest impact behind the scenes.

This year’s panel includes Gordon Taylor, Maurice Watkins, Alan Myers, Tom Cannon, Dan Jones, Ryan McKnight, Stephen White, Martin O’Boyle and Paul Thorogood.

Gordon Taylor, judge for the fourth year, said:
“The region has built up phenomenal respect and credibility, not only through the success of its seven Premiership and 23 professional clubs, but also as the home to the PFA, The Football League and The National Football Museum.

“These Awards recognise the footballing accomplishments from across the region, whether it be a club manager, player or the favourite goal.  Our expert panel selects people that are both from the spotlight and those that work tirelessly behind the scenes.  The MBNA Northwest Football Awards are hugely popular and draw in support from both the football industry, the general UK public and business communities.

“With my role at the PFA and my personal love of football, I’m extremely proud to be on the judging panel and supporting this event.  We hope everyone gets behind this to celebrate and honour our region’s talent.”

The awards ceremony will take place 14th November at The Point, Lancashire County Cricket Club.

This year’s award categories are:

-     Goal of the Year
-     Community Scheme of the Year
-     Community Scheme  – Project of the Year
-     CSR Programme of the Year
-     Best Club Marketing Campaign
-     Best Use of New Media
-     Best Club Sponsorship
-     Most Innovative Non Match-day use of a Football Ground
-     Northwest Business Services to Football
-     Northwest Professional Business Services to Football
-     Player of the Year – Premier League
-     Player of the Year – Championship
-     Player of the Year – League One
-     Player of the Year – League Two
-     Player of the Year – Conference
-     Northwest Female Footballer of the Year
-     Northwest Footballer of the Year
-     Northwest Manager of the Year
-     Lifetime Contribution to Northwest Football

Last year’s winners included Blackpool legend Jimmy Armfield CBE for the Lifetime Achievement Award and Chung-Yong Lee of Bolton Wanderers for Premier League Player of the Year Award.

For more information on how to enter the Awards, please visit www.northwestfootballawards.co.uk <http://www.northwestfootballawards.co.uk

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Media contact
Meg Pugh @ MC2 (0161 236 1352/07808 765 595)
NOTES TO EDITORS

Judging panel

Alan Myers
North West Bureau Chief – Sky Sports News Alan has over twenty years reporting experience for some of the top clubs and sporting media in the UK. In 1996 he was the first Press Officer for Everton Football Club where he dealt with the media attention that surrounded the appointment of four different managers, a Boardroom takeover and the arrival of Paul Gascoigne! After five years at Everton, Alan then joined Sky Sports News. Now, as North West Bureau Chief, Alan deals with seven Premiership clubs, three Championship clubs and countless league and non-league teams in the Northwest.

Gerry Boon
Director – British Association for Sport and Law A retired partner of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Gerry is acknowledged internationally as a leading specialist sports business consultant and expert commentator on the football industry. In his time at Deloitte, Gerry created, built and led the firm’s Sports Business Group, based in Manchester, to its current position as leading advisers to the industry. He is now working as an independent sports business consultant and forensic accountant/expert witness in sports disputes.

Gordon Taylor
Chief Executive – PFA Before joining the PFA in 1980 Gordon was an England schoolboy trialist, originally as an inside forward before establishing himself as a winger with Bolton, playing over 250 games for them. His football career then took him to Birmingham, Blackburn Rovers, and the North American Soccer League for Vancouver Whitecaps before returning to England to join Bury in 1978. In 1978 Gordon was also made Chairman of the PFA, succeeding Derek Dougan. Two years later Gordon went full-time and shortly after became Secretary and Chief Executive of the PFA.

Paul Thorogood
Chairman – Football Foundation Having played football at a credible level in his early life, Paul has been involved in football administration for the past 20 years, during which time he has risen through the RAF County Football Association Executive Committee to become Chairman in 2002.

Maurice Watkins
Joint Senior Partner – Brabners Chaffe Street Solicitors and Director – Manchester United Football Club Limited Maurice has handled numerous high value soccer transfers at home and abroad. He represents clubs and players before FIFA, UEFA, FA, FA Premier League and FAW (Football Association of Wales) disciplinary bodies, the Court of Arbitration for Sport and international and league compensation tribunals. He is also a regular speaker on footballing issues at home and abroad, having represented the Football Association and FA Premier League at recent conferences in Egypt, Qatar, Dubai, Trinidad and Tobago and Japan.

Professor Tom Cannon
CEO – Ideopolis International Ltd Tom’s career includes roles as Director and Chief Executive of Manchester Business School, Chief Executive of the government’s Management Charter Initiative and private sector posts ranging from brand management in fast moving consumer goods to a small specialist development company created by Anita and Gordon Roddick. Ideopolis International’s work, where Tom is CEO, ranges from studies of the “Urban Revolution” to leadership, entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility, innovation and change management

Dan Jones, Partner, Head of Sports Business Group, Deloitte
Dan and his full time team of 15 people work exclusively on sports-related projects at Deloitte.
The team are based in the UK, but work with clients worldwide, partnering with local Deloitte offices as appropriate. In addition to his full time team Dan also works with all other areas of Deloitte to ensure the firm’s full range of specialist skills are available to clients. Dan personally advises clients on strategic, governance, commercial, regulatory, organisational and financial matters. His clients include the ATP Men’s & WTA Women’s tennis tours, the British Horseracing Authority, the Ryder Cup, the Volvo Ocean Race, BMW Oracle Racing, the MCC, the ECB, the West Indies Cricket Board, British Cycling, UCI, UK Sport, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, the Rugby Football Union, the Scottish Rugby Union, the International Rugby Board, IMG, and a number of football clubs in the UK and abroad, as well as UEFA, The FA and the Premier League. He is also an experienced conference speaker and media spokesman and editor of Deloitte’s sports business publications, including the Annual Review of Football Finance and the Football Money League.

Martin O’Boyle – Lead Editor FIFA.com
After brief spells at the BBC, the Liverpool Echo and on Sky Sports, Martin was appointed as Everton Football Club’s Communications Officer in May 2002. During his time at Goodison Park, he acted as the assistant editor of the club’s award-winning website and programme. In May 2005, Martin joined FIFA and is now responsible for the day-to-day running of the English language version of the world governing body’s official website, FIFA.com. He also plays a key role in the organisation’s social media offering, which attracted over half a million Twitter followers in six months. The 30-year-old has played an integral part of FIFA’s communications at no fewer than 14 tournaments around the world, including the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups and the 2008 Olympic Games.