The Northwest Football Awards (NWFA) reached a glittering climax last night in a prestigious Awards Ceremony at the Midland Hotel, Manchester.
Football celebrities and VIPs from across the country attended the exclusive event, including Preston North End legend, Sir Tom Finney who was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award and Everton’s David Moyes who received the coveted Northwest Manager of the Year Award. Sir Alex Ferguson won an Outstanding Achievement Award, in recognition of Manchester United winning the double last season.
Preston North End was a big winner on the night walking away with three awards; Community Scheme Project of the Year, Best Club Marketing Campaign and the Coca Cola Championship Player of the Year Award won by Sean St Ledger.
Over 85,000 votes from 163 countries decided the night’s other footballing winners including Fernando Torres for the Barclays Premiership Player of the Year, Tranmere’s defender Ian Goodison was voted Coca Cola League 1 Player of the Year and Accrington Stanleys’ Paul Mullin for Coca Cola League 2 Player of the Year. Northwich Victoria’s striker, Lee Steele pipped Altrincham’s Colin Little to the post receiving the Blue Square Conference League Player of the Year title.
The overall Northwest Footballer of the Year went to Manchester United’s record appearance leader, Ryan Giggs for his exemplary skill on the pitch together with the charity work he carries out off the pitch. Footballing legend, Sir Bobby Charlton, picked up his award on his behalf and Giggs, who couldn’t be there, sent a pre-recorded message thanking the NWFA and the judges for the great honour. The NWFA, not wanting to ignore the fantastic female footballing talent in the region, for the first time created a Northwest Female Footballer of the Year Award, received by the FA Player’s Player of the Year and Everton’s star striker, Jill Scott.
The Awards also recognised clubs’ commercial teams and their commitment to their local areas. Bolton Wanderers and Manchester City shared the honour for Community Scheme of the Year, while Everton took the crown for Best Club Sponsorship Campaign. The high level of entries for this year’s Best Club Marketing Campaign meant this category was split into two, with Liverpool and Manchester United receiving joint recognition for the Barclays Premier League and Preston North End raising the trophy for the Football League and Conference. The City of Manchester Stadium won the Award for Most Innovative Non Match-day Use of a Football Ground.
The Northwest’s footballing heritage isn’t all about on-the-pitch activity and last night the NWFA ensured that this was acknowledged. JMC IT were presented the Northwest Business Services to Football Award and Brabners Chaffe Street LLP the Northwest Professional Services to Football, both for their continued support and commitment to the football industry.
Everton’s Manager and Manager of the Year Winner, David Moyes commented ‘It was an absolute honour not only to be at the Awards tonight, but also to receive such as prestigious Award, and to know it was chosen by my own peers makes it all the more special. Seeing so many talented footballers and their clubs in the room and experiencing first hand the level of support the region receives in this field was exceptional. Thankyou so much.’
View a selection of photos from the evening here.
A full list of the Award winners are as follows:
Community Scheme of the Year
Bolton Wanderers Football Club
Manchester City Football Club
Commendation - Morecombe Football Club
Community Scheme-Project of the Year
Preston North End Football Club – Healthy Schools Project
Player of the Year-Blue Square Premier League
Lee Steele - Northwich Victoria Football Club
Best Club Sponsorship
Everton Football Club
Player of the Year -Coca Cola League 2
Paul Mullin - Accrington Stanley Football Club
Best Club Marketing Campaign - Barclays Premiership League
Liverpool Football Club
Manchester United Football Club
Player of the Year – Coca Cola League 1
Ian Goodison- Tranmere Rovers Football Club
Most Innovative Non Match-day Use of a Football Ground
City of Manchester Stadium
Player of the Year-Coca Cola Championship
Sean St Ledger - Preston North End Football Club
Northwest Business Award for Services to Football
JMC IT
Best Club Marketing Campaign-Football and Blue Square Premier Leagues
Preston North End Football Club
Northwest Professional Services to Football
Brabners Chaffe Street LLP
Player of the Year - Barclays Premier League
Fernando Torres - Liverpool Football Club
Northwest Female Footballer of the Year
Jill Scott – Everton Ladies Football Club
Goal of the Year
Wade Elliott - Burnley Football Club
Northwest Footballer of the Year
Ryan Giggs – Manchester United Football Club
Northwest Manager of the Year
Davie Moyes – Everton Football Club
Outstanding Achievement Award – 2007-2008 Season
Sir Alex Ferguson
Lifetime Contribution to Northwest Football
Sir Tom Finney
