Steve Evans and Michael O'Connor are up for manager and player of the month...
Rotherham United have received a double nomination for Manager and Player of the Month for April.
Boss Steve Evans and midfield schemer Michael O’Connor have both been nominated after a strong finish to season which resulted in automatic promotion to League One.
Evans guided the Millers to victories over Exeter, Fleetwood, Bradford, Plymouth and Aldershot, as five consecutive wins secured elevation to League One.
One of the main players in the Millers rise was the form of O’Connor, whose performances in the engine room didn’t go unnoticed. He netted in the 4-1 demolition of Exeter and was a key figure throughout the campaign.
The nominations for the npower League 2 Manager of the Month Award for April are as follows:
Steve Evans – Rotherham United
A strong month from the Millers was required if automatic promotion was going to be secured and Steve Evans' men duly delivered. Rotherham United won five of the seven fixtures to ensure a second place finish behind Gillingham and will be looking forward to the challenge of playing in League 1 next year.
Phil Parkinson – Bradford City
Phil Parkinson could be forgiven for resting on his laurels after guiding Bradford City to the Capital One Cup final, but promotion was always considered a priority. Four wins, two draws and a solitary loss was enough to ensure The Bantams made the npower League 2 Play-Offs and after seeing off Burton Albion, they will have the chance to secure promotion at Wembley.
Nigel Worthington – York City
At the start of the month, any two of eight teams could have lost their npower Football League status, so good form at the bottom of the table was vital. Nigel Worthington's York City had a fantastic month, going undefeated with four wins and a draw from their last five fixtures to ensure they remained in League 2 next season.
The nominations for the npower League 2 Player of the Month Award for April are:
Michael O’Connor (Rotherham United) – midfielder
The Northern Irishman typified his side’s relentless drive in the final month of a season that brought promotion. His prodigious work-rate was the catalyst which sparked a five-match winning run, striding forward to score in the 4-1 win over Exeter City.
Marc Richards (Chesterfield) - striker
Five goals in as many April games for the prolific forward who displayed the full range of his finishing talents by scoring stunning efforts with his right foot, left foot and head during the month, including two sumptuous strikes in the 3-1 win at Fleetwood Town.
Chris Smith (York City) – central defender
In addition to his strong play and leadership under manager Nigel Worthington, he made a vital last-minute goalline clearance in the 2-1 win over Southend United and then scored the only goal against Dagenham & Redbridge as York maintained their Football League status.
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