Will Latics be a winner?
The 2013 North West Football Awards will celebrate a momentous year.
Lancashire Cricket Club’s spectacular Point conference centre will again host proceedings on November 4. BBC Television’s Football Focus host, Dan Walker, has been ‘appointed’ master of ceremonies for a second successive season.
Over the summer, the judging panel, including Gordon Taylor OBE, chief executive of the PFA, and former Football Association chief executive, Mark Palios, will draw up nominations for an extensive range of categories.
Indeed, for the first time and to recognise the growing popularity of women’s football, there will be a female player of the year.
Online voting opens on August 3 to coincide with kick-off for the new Football League season. A shortlist will be announced in mid-September and voting will continue until early October.
The NWFA is one of the must attend events on the football calendar. And if you thought last year was good, 2013 promises to be the best yet.
In a football season that has seen Britain’s most successful manager-Sir Alex Ferguson of Manchester United’s retirement after 26 trophy-laden years - the sports story of the year.
United’s record extending 20th top flight title and Wigan Athletic’s historic FA Cup triumph plus subsequent relegation from the Premier League were not far behind.
Last year’s NWFA quite rightly feted Manchester City’s inaugural Premier League success. So, what a difference 12 months makes.
Second best in league and cup, City parted company with manager Roberto Mancini after three years in charge.
‘Bobby Blue’ was held in high esteem by City fans but so too were a host of frontline players who will also be missing from the game next season. So, take a bow: Paul Scholes, Jamie Carragher, Phil Neville and Michael Owen who also followed Sir Alex Ferguson into retirement.
Mark Halsey won’t be back either. One of football’s most popular referees hung up his whistle for the final time after City’s end of term home game against Norwich.
But the circle of life rolls on. And as one manager leaves the profession another slides in behind an office desk for the first time. With all the drama being played out in Manchester, former England striker James Beattie’s appointment as Accrington Stanley chief almost went unnoticed.
Lower down the football food chain still there were tears as Stockport County plunged to their lowest position in their history after relegation from the Conference. But the Hatters shouldn’t lose heart.
Chester City fell even further down the pyramid, went out of business but are now very much alive and kicking. Re-formed as Chester FC, they have just won a third success league title and will begin 2013/2014 in the Conference.
Cheshire rivals, Crewe Alexandra, also had plenty to cheer as goals from Luke Murphy and Max Clayton helped them lift the Johnstone Paints Trophy with a 2-0 victory over Southend United.
The NWFA also highlight work done off the pitch with awards for best club marketing campaign, best use of social media, business services to football and even journalist of the year.
Whether it is on the pitch or in the boardroom, the NWFA recognises the region’s finest contributors to the beautiful game. And Lancashire CCC on November 4, 2013 will be the place to rub shoulders with football royalty.
For more information visitwww.northwestfootballawards.com
Twitter-@NWFAwards
Facebook-www.facebook.com/northwestfootballawards
NW Football Awards 2012 Winners were:
Community Initiative of the Year - Burnley
Community Club of the Year - Everton
CSR Campaign of the Year - Liverpool
Best Club Sponsorship Engagement/Partnership - Aon and Manchester United
Best Club Marketing Campaign - Manchester City
Northwest Professional Services to Football - Pinsent Masons
Northwest Business Services to Football – Rippleffect
Rising Star - Nick Powell - Crewe Alexandra
Conference Premier Player of the Year - Joe Connor – Stockport County
League Two Player of the Year - Nick Powell – Crewe Alexandra
League One Player of the Year - David Buchanan – Tranmere Rovers
Championship Player of the Year - Alex Baptiste – Blackpool
Premier League Player of the Year - Martin Skrtel – Liverpool
Goal of the Year - Sergio Aguero, Manchester City v QPR, 13.05.12
Journalist of the Year - Ian Cheeseman, BBC Radio Manchester
Unsung Hero - John Manville, Everton Football Club
The Fabrice Muamba Award for Medical & Sports Science Professional - Andy Mitchell, Head Physiotherapist, Bolton Wanderers
Manager of the Year - Roberto Mancini, Manchester City
The Lifetime Contribution to Northwest Football - Dave Whelan, Wigan Athletic