Brentford's Adam Forshaw named League One Player of the Year...
Brentford’s Adam Forshaw has been named the Sky Bet League 1 Player of the Year at The Football League Awards 2014.
Forshaw received the award at the gala ceremony at The Brewery, London, on Sunday evening in front of over 600 guests from clubs, sponsors and the football industry.
This year a total of 36 clubs were shortlisted for 17 awards and Forshaw beat competition from Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Kevin McDonald and Swindon Town’s Alex Pritchard to claim the overall Sky Bet League 1 Player of the Year Award.
Forshaw had a bright 2012/13 but this season he has pushed on to become one of the mainstays of Brentford’s bid to win promotion from Sky Bet League 1. The 22-year-old midfielder is an imposing player in the middle of the park for the Bees and helps knit things together well for Mark Warburton’s men, while also taking on extra responsibility as Brentford’s penalty-taker – four of his seven goals this season have come from the spot. The former Everton man is well regarded at Griffin Park by colleagues and supporters alike for his good attitude and consistent performances.
On winning the award, Forshaw said:
“It’s something that I wouldn’t have won without the support of my team-mates, staff and my family. I was pleased just to be in contention.
“As much as I’m made up with the award I’m also focused on Brentford’s upcoming games as we aim for promotion, starting with Coventry next weekend.
“I’m really pleased with how it’s going this season – it could go all the way but I am lucky enough to be in a good team and playing possibly some of the best football of my career.
“My dad never misses a game and my family and girlfriend all come so they’ll be made up for me because they give me such great support.”
The Sky Bet Player of the Year awards have been voted for by managers of the clubs in each division. Each manager was asked to list their top five players from this season in order, with the scores added up to get a shortlist and an overall winner.
Shaun Harvey, Chief Executive of The Football League, said:
"The Football League Awards 2014 has given us the opportunity to reward outstanding achievement, both on and off the pitch, by Football League clubs.
"Every one of tonight's winners is a worthy recipient of their award and all the other nominees have helped set an exceptional standard this year.
"It has been a tremendous celebration of life in The Football League."
The Awards were streamed live on The Football League's official YouTube and Facebook pages, as well as official club websites and YouTube channels for the first time ever.
To find out more about The Football League Awards, and for a full list of Award categories, please visit www.FLAwards.com.