Sunday, April 09, 2017

Millwall, Blackburn Rovers And Stevenage Named Nickelodeon Family Clubs Of The Year At 2017 EFL Awards

Original EFL press release via efl.com:

EFL Awards: The complete 2017 winners list


The winners of the 2017 EFL Awards have been revealed, with clubs, players and fans recognised for their achievements at a star-studded evening at the Hilton Park Lane.



More than 650 guests were in attendance as the 2017 EFL Awards celebrated the unique successes of a remarkable year across all three divisions of the EFL.

Brighton & Hove Albion’s Anthony Knockaert was awarded the hotly-contested Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season, while Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp continued his club’s celebrations by picking up the Sky Bet League One Player of the Season. That honour came just 24 hours after the Blades secured their promotion to the Sky Bet Championship.

It was also a fantastic evening for recently-promoted Doncaster Rovers who picked up three awards. Striker John Marquis was awarded the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Season while Andy Butler received the PFA Player in the Community Award and Darren Ferguson was recognised as manager in the EFL’s Team of the Season.

Brentford’s Kevin O’Connor was the recipient of the Sir Tom Finney Award, an accolade that is presented to a player who has had an exceptional career in the EFL and epitomises the man after which this award is named.

Lastly, footballing legend Barry Fry was honoured with the Contribution to League Football Award, recognising his lifetime service to the professional game with the night’s most prestigious award.

He said: “I went into management very early, I was 28 when I got my first managers job. I lasted 32 years and I, like you, are absolutely amazed that I lasted that long.

“I had a great time as a manager. I’ve been to Wembley four times and won every time, I’ve won Play-Off games, I’ve won leagues, I’ve won cups, but to get this honour is the greatest achievement I’ve ever been awarded and thank you very much the English Football League.”

Further awards were presented to supporters, community projects and emerging stars with guests celebrating another remarkable year for the EFL.

The 2017 EFL Award winners

Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season: Anthony Knockaert (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Sky Bet League One Player of the Season: Billy Sharp (Sheffield United)

Sky Bet League Two Player of the Season: John Marquis (Doncaster Rovers)

EFL Young Player of the Season: Ollie Watkins (Exeter City)

Football Manager Team of the Season:

Goalkeeper: David Stockdale (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Defender: Conor McLaughlin (Fleetwood Town)
Defender: Pontus Jansson (Leeds United)
Defender: Sonny Bradley (Plymouth Argyle)
Defender: Enda Stevens (Portsmouth)
Midfielder: Anthony Knockaert (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Midfielder: Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town)
Midfielder: Josh Morris (Scunthorpe United)
Forward: Chris Wood (Leeds United)
Forward: Billy Sharp (Sheffield United)
Forward: Dwight Gayle (Newcastle United)
Manager: Darren Ferguson (Doncaster Rovers)

Sir Tom Finney Award: Kevin O’Connor (Brentford)

Contribution to League Football: Barry Fry

PFA Player in the Community: Andy Butler (Doncaster Rovers)

EFL Supporter of the Year: Paul Mayfield (Doncaster Rovers)


Nickelodeon Family Club of the Year: Millwall
Championship winner: Blackburn Rovers
League One winner: Millwall
League Two winner: Stevenage

Checkatrade Community Club of the Year: Portsmouth

LFE Apprentice of the Year – Championship: Ben Brereton (Nottingham Forest)

LFE Apprentice of the Year – League One: Lewis Butroid (Scunthorpe United)

LFE Apprentice of the Year – League Two: Myles Judd (Leyton Orient)

Mitre Goal of the Year: Steve Sidwell (Brighton & Hove Albion) v Bristol City

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Also, via millwallfc.co.uk:

Millwall win Family Club of the Year!

Lions collect prestigious gong at the EFL Awards


Millwall Football Club picked up the Nickelodeon Family Club of the Year trophy at the annual EFL Awards in London on Sunday evening.

The Lions collected the prestigious award for the first time in the club's history.

A complete overhaul of the club's strategy in attracting new young supporters and families to The Den began in the summer of 2013 when the new Zampa's Family Stand was opened in The Dockers Upper. For the first time it provided a dedicated area for families, equipped with games consoles, confectionary stalls, a mock dugout as well as face painters, regular drawing competitions and so much more.

Events inside Zampa's Family Stand have improved year on year since then, as have activities on matchdays and non-matchdays elsewhere. Pre-match Sports and Family Fun Zones have continued to be popular and away from The Den consistent improvements to the club's player appearance schedule have paid dividends, especially when it comes to events arranged alongside an ever-increasing list of official Junior Lions partners.

Chief executive Steve Kavanagh, who collected the trophy alongside marketing manager Samantha Catchpole and junior supporter and partnerships co-ordinator Nena Gibson, said to millwallfc.co.uk: "It is a fantastic achievement to win this award and everyone associated with Millwall should be very proud.

"When I first arrived at this club it was very quickly apparent just how much thought and hard work went into fan engagement and making the matchday experience as good as it could possibly be for young supporters and their families.

"This club perhaps has to work harder than any other and it's very pleasing for Millwall to have been recognised with what is a very distinguished award.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank and pay tribute to all members of staff who have contributed along the way and of course to the supporters, without whom this isn't possible.

"But it's important that the club doesn't rest on its laurels. This should provide a platform for even bigger and better things for years to come."

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Also, via rovers.co.uk:

Rovers named Family Club of the Year!

It is with great delight that Blackburn Rovers has been named the Nickelodeon Family Club of the Year at the 2017 EFL Awards.

Rovers went head-to-head with Brighton & Hove Albion for the coveted Championship award, which was presented to staff at a glittering awards ceremony in London this evening.

Last year, the club made a commitment to achieving an unforgettable and unrecognisable matchday experience for families by relocating the Family Stand at Ewood Park.

With the help of our sponsors - Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, GAME and McDonald's - the transformed area in the lower tier of the Jack Walker Stand offers a state-of-the-art GAME Room, fitted out with the latest consoles, where youngsters can compete on the most popular games on the market and meet first team players not involved in the matchday squad.

Face painting and colouring sheets are also available and, to encourage a healthy lifestyle, McDonald's offer a minimum of 100 free fruit bags to young fans, along with healthy options available from the concourse kiosks.

A groundbreaking Sensory Room is also available within the Strikers Lounge, which allows all of our supporters to be able to enjoy a safe and family friendly environment on a matchday.

The award also recognised the club’s investment in the Foster's FanZone, where supporters can enjoy live entertainment pre-match, and the club's commitment to supporting community involvement and initiatives on the pitch at half-time.

Rovers' General Manager, Lynsey Talbot, said: "This award is a fantastic achievement for the club and shows the commitment of the staff who have brought this idea to life in order to improve facilities and services for our supporters.

"Recognition should also be given to our sponsors, as we simply couldn’t have done this without them.”

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Footie fans can follow the latest EFL Awards 2017 news using #EFLAwards on social media.

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