The winners of the 2017 EFL Awards have been revealed, with clubs, players and fans recognised for their achievements at a star-studded evening at the Hilton Park Lane.
More than 650 guests were in attendance as the 2017 EFL Awards celebrated the unique successes of a remarkable year across all three divisions of the EFL.Brighton & Hove Albion’s Anthony Knockaert was awarded the hotly-contested Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season, while Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp continued his club’s celebrations by picking up the Sky Bet League One Player of the Season. That honour came just 24 hours after the Blades secured their promotion to the Sky Bet Championship.
It was also a fantastic evening for recently-promoted Doncaster Rovers who picked up three awards. Striker John Marquis was awarded the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Season while Andy Butler received the PFA Player in the Community Award and Darren Ferguson was recognised as manager in the EFL’s Team of the Season.
Brentford’s Kevin O’Connor was the recipient of the Sir Tom Finney Award, an accolade that is presented to a player who has had an exceptional career in the EFL and epitomises the man after which this award is named.
EFL Awards - as it happened: Click here to read more about the ceremony
Lastly, footballing legend Barry Fry was honoured with the Contribution to League Football Award, recognising his lifetime service to the professional game with the night’s most prestigious award.
He said: “I went into management very early, I was 28 when I got my first manager's job. I lasted 32 years and I, like you, are absolutely amazed that I lasted that long.
“I had a great time as a manager. I’ve been to Wembley four times and won every time, I’ve won Play-Off games, I’ve won leagues, I’ve won cups, but to get this honour is the greatest achievement I’ve ever been awarded and thank you very much the English Football League.”
Further awards were presented to supporters, community projects and emerging stars with guests celebrating another remarkable year for the EFL.
The 2017 EFL Award winners
Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season: Anthony Knockaert (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Sky Bet League One Player of the Season: Billy Sharp (Sheffield United)
Sky Bet League Two Player of the Season: John Marquis (Doncaster Rovers)
EFL Young Player of the Season: Ollie Watkins (Exeter City)
Football Manager Team of the Season:
Goalkeeper: David Stockdale (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Defender: Enda Stevens (Portsmouth)
Defender: Pontus Jansson (Leeds United)
Defender: Sonny Bradley (Plymouth Argyle)
Defender: Conor McLaughlin (Fleetwood Town)
Midfielder: Josh Morris (Scunthorpe United)
Midfielder: Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town)
Midfielder: Anthony Knockaert (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Forward: Chris Wood (Leeds United)
Forward: Billy Sharp (Sheffield United)
Forward: Dwight Gayle (Newcastle United)
Manager: Darren Ferguson (Doncaster Rovers)
Sir Tom Finney Award: Kevin O’Connor (Brentford)
Contribution to League Football: Barry Fry
PFA Player in the Community: Andy Butler (Doncaster Rovers)
Nickelodeon Family Club of the Year: Millwall
Championship winner: Blackburn Rovers
League One winner: Millwall
League Two winner: Stevenage
Checkatrade Community Club of the Year: Portsmouth
EFL Supporter of the Year: Paul Mayfield (Doncaster Rovers)
LFE Apprentice of the Year – Championship: Ben Brereton (Nottingham Forest)
LFE Apprentice of the Year – League One: Lewis Butroid (Scunthorpe United)
LFE Apprentice of the Year – League Two: Myles Judd (Leyton Orient)
Mitre Goal of the Year: Steve Sidwell (Brighton & Hove Albion) v Bristol City