The December winners are...
The winners of the Sky Bet Fan of the Month Awards for December are:
Sky Bet Championship: Ryan Brown (Derby County fan)
Derby fan Ryan Brown has been named the Sky Bet Championship Fan of the Month for December.
Ryan, 19, has followed Derby since the club played at the old Baseball Ground. And just for once he dropped the Rams into his Sky Bet acca – and won £16,000!
The £5 15-fold bet came in as Steve McClaren’s men defeated Birmingham 4-0 on Boxing Day and 13 other 3pm games obliged leaving Ryan sweating on the 5.30pm fixture between Arsenal and QPR.
Ryan said: “I avoid betting on Derby despite us doing so well this season. But I had a good feeling about them on Boxing Day, and fortunately for me, the feeling worked out. Arsenal won 2-1 and that was it.
“The overriding feeling when the full-time whistle went at Arsenal was relief.
“I will use my winnings to pay for my car insurance and put the rest into savings!
”I was really excited when I was informed I had won the Sky Bet Fan of the Month award. I have followed Derby ever since I can remember so to win this award is brilliant.”
Derby County Chief Executive Sam Rush said: "I would like to congratulate Ryan on winning the Sky Bet Fan of the Month Award for December 2014.
"It is fantastic news that we have seen two Derby County fans win this particular award this season and reflects well on our excellent support base.”
Ryan’s Sky Bet Championship predictions:
• Derby 2 Blackburn 0 – First Goal Scorer – Jonny Russell (25/1 – subject to change)
• Cardiff 1 Derby 2 – FGS – Chris Martin
• Derby 1 Bolton 0 – FGS – Jeff Hendrick
• Bournemouth 1 Derby 2 – FGS – Craig Bryson
If Ryan won the £250,000 Sky Bet Transfer Fund for Derby, he would buy Jack Grealish from Aston Villa.
Sky Bet League 1: Roy Frisby (Chesterfield fan)
Chesterfield fan Roy Frisby has been named the Sky Bet League 1 Fan of the Month for December.
Roy has been an integral part of the club’s fans’ forums launched at the start of the season.
Roy is the intermediary between the loyal East Stand fans in the Proact Stadium and the club – discussing issues or comments that may arise.
Roy registered his daughter Sarah as a member of the club within an hour of her birth – a record that has stood for 16 years.
Roy said: “Everything I do is for the benefit of the club. To be rewarded by winning the Sky Bet League 1 Fan of the Month Award is amazing!
”I attend a meeting with club representatives every month where I will make sure any supporter comments are relayed to the club and discussed.
“My daughter was made a member of the club within an hour of her birth for which she received a personalised Chesterfield shirt and certificate.”
Chesterfield Chief Executive Chris Turner said: "Roy is a dedicated supporter who has passed on his love of the club to his family. I would like to thank him for his support and congratulate him on winning the Award."
Roy’s Sky Bet League 1 prediction:
Chesterfield 4 Crawley 0 – Sam Morsy first goal scorer (250/1 – subject to change)
Chesterfield 2 Doncaster Rovers 0 – Gary Roberts first goal scorer
Notts County 0 Chesterfield 2 – Sam Clucas first goal scorer
If Roy was to win the £250,000 transfer fund he would buy former Chesterfield striker Craig Davies from Bolton!
Sky Bet League 2: Russell Elmes (Dagenham & Redbridge fan)
Dagenham & Redbridge fan Russell Elmes has been named the Sky Bet League 2 Fan of the Month for December.
Russell has been a volunteer at the Sky Bet League 2 club since 1997. He started as the away-day transport organiser for the club’s dedicated followers and has progressed to become Chairman of the Supporters’ Club.
In the 17 years that Russell has been arranging travel to away games only once has he been unable to lay on a coach for supporters.
On that occasion – against Port Vale during the 2011/12 season – Russell managed to secure enough car drivers to transport hardy fans to Burslem on a Tuesday night.
Russell said: “I was shocked when I received the call about becoming Fan of the Month. But the overriding emotions now are delight and appreciation.
“In 1997 I said an extremely silly thing – that I would help arrange away-day travel for a few years.
“Seventeen years later and not only am I still doing it, I have taken on more voluntary duties and I am thoroughly enjoying every aspect of my involvement with the club.”
Dagenham & Redbridge manager Wayne Burnett said: "It was a great honour to present Russell with the Sky Bet League 2 Fan of the Month Award.
“His support and dedication epitomises the fans at this club who are the salt of the earth.”
Russell’s Sky Bet League 2 prediction:
• Dagenham 1 Cheltenham 1 – Rhys Murphy FGS (28/1 – subject to change)
• York 0 Cheltenham 0 – no FGS
If Russell won the £250,000 Sky Bet Transfer Fund for Dagenham & Redbridge, he would buy Zeli Ismail from Wolves.