The Football League has announced the first shortlists for the Football League Awards 2016, the annual awards ceremony that celebrates on and off pitch excellence across The League’s 72 clubs.
This year there are 10 categories, with shortlists for four categories announced so far. A total of 21 clubs have made the initial shortlists, with Charlton Athletic, Doncaster Rovers and Middlesbrough all leading the way with two nominations each.
For the first time this year The Football League Awards will be held in Manchester, with the winners announced at a gala ceremony on Sunday 17th April – the same date on which The Football League was officially formed in Manchester back in 1888.
Drew Barrand, Marketing Director of The Football League, said: “The Football League Awards 2016 provides a platform for us to showcase the very best of what The Football League is all about.
“Once again, the standard of entries has gone up so those clubs and individuals included on the shortlists deserve real praise for their achievements. We wish all those nominated the best of luck and look forward to announcing the winners in April at what will be the first ever Football League Awards evening to be held in Manchester.”
Nickelodeon Family Club of the Year
Doncaster Rovers
Fulham
Middlesbrough
Millwall
Oxford United
Stevenage
Johnstone’s Paint Community Club of the Year
North East & Yorkshire – Rotherham United
North West – Burnley
Midlands – Burton Albion
London – Charlton Athletic
South East – Brighton & Hove Albion
South West & Wales – Cardiff City
PFA Player in the Community
Danny Grainger (Carlisle United)
Andy Butler (Doncaster Rovers)
George Friend (Middlesbrough)
LFE Apprentice of the Year
Championship
David Popa (Birmingham City)
Ademola Lookman (Charlton Athletic)
Mathew Hudson (Preston North End)
League 1
James Bree (Barnsley)
Bright Osayi-Samuel (Blackpool)
Thomas Smith (Swindon Town)
League 2
Hakeem Odoffin (Barnet) *
Frankie Musonda (Luton Town)
Ben Godfrey (York City) **
* Now at Wolverhampton Wanderers
** Now at Norwich City
Clubs not shortlisted for these awards could still taste success on the evening. There will also be awards on the night for the Mitre Goal of the Year, Capital One Supporter of the Year, Sky Bet Players of the Year, Football League Young Player of the Year, the Sir Tom Finney Award and Contribution to League Football.
Alongside these there will be a new category this year – the Football Manager Team of the Season – that will see 11 players and a manager from across the three divisions recognised for their performances in the 2015/16 campaign.
Fans will also be given a chance to have a say themselves in one of the award categories, with voting for the Mitre Goal of the Year shortlist taking place in conjunction with Channel 5’s ‘Football League Tonight’ show from this weekend.
To find out more about The Football League Awards, and for a full list of Award categories, visit www.FLAwards.com or search #FLAwards.