Reading, Blackburn Rovers and Luton Town are to be celebrated as the most family friendly clubs of the last 12 months as the EFL reveals the divisional winners ahead of this Sunday’s 2018 EFL Awards.
The three clubs will now go head-to-head to be crowned the overall winner of the AmazeRealise Family Club of the Year which will be announced on the night of the EFL Awards, with the star-studded event at the London Hilton on Park Lane attended by players, managers, clubs, legends of the game and media.
AmazeRealise Family Club of the Year
Reading, winners of the Family Club of the Year honour in 2010, represent the Sky Bet Championship for their comprehensive matchday family offering and innovative improvements across all areas.
After introducing their Strikers’ Lounge and Sensory Room for children on the autistic spectrum, Blackburn Rovers have been selected as the best in Sky Bet League One.
Luton Town represent Sky Bet League Two, for their continued year-on-year commitment and focus on improving experiences for families and young supporters.
PFA Player in the Community
Representatives from Bristol City, Doncaster Rovers and Cambridge United make-up the PFA Player in the Community award, with Joe Bryan, Matty Blair and Liam O’Neil recognised for their outstanding commitment to their communities. As well as supporting Bristol City’s Community Trust with regular player appearances, Bristol City’s Joe Bryan helped support a self-employed amateur footballer with physio treatment following a severe injury.
Doncaster Rovers’ Matty Blair has been the face of the club’s efforts to raise awareness of mental health after drawing on his own experience of dealing with the tragic loss of his brother in 2017.
Sky Bet League Two’s winner, Liam O’Neil, has volunteered across Cambridge United’s community work including a match report writing project to encourage primary school children to have an interest in reading and writing.
SMG Insight Supporter of the Year
The SMG Insight Supporter of the Year shortlist consists of George Forster of Sunderland, Mustafa El-Bayati of Northampton Town and Phil Bater, representing Exeter City – with all three going above and beyond to demonstrate their passion and commitment for their club.
Other awards to be announced on the night include the Contribution to League Football award, the Sky Bet Players of the Season and the overall EFL Team of the Season.
The Mitre Goal of the Year will also be voted for on the night.
The Special Recognition Award to celebrate the EFL’s continued commitment to Youth Development will also be revealed on the night. From 2018/19 season, all EFL clubs will need to name at least one Club Developed player on each teamsheet for any EFL game and this award will recognise a star-studded Club Developed XI, showcasing players ‘born and raised’ in the EFL, as a result of the excellent work of EFL clubs in developing some of the most talented footballers in the country.
PFA Player in the Community
Sky Bet Championship: Joe Bryan, Bristol City
Sky Bet League One: Matty Blair, Doncaster Rovers
Sky Bet League Two: Liam O’Neil, Cambridge United
SMG Insight Supporter of the Year
Sky Bet Championship: George Forster, Sunderland
Sky Bet League One: Mustafa El-Bayati, Northampton Town
Sky Bet League Two: Phil Bater, Exeter City
AmazeRealise Family Club of the Year
Sky Bet Championship: Reading
Sky Bet League One: Blackburn Rovers
Sky Bet League Two: Luton Town
2018 EFL AWARDS FULL SHORTLIST
Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season*
Tom Cairney – Fulham
Ruben Neves – Wolverhampton Wanderers
Ryan Sessegnon – Fulham
Sky Bet League One Player of the Season*
Bradley Dack – Blackburn Rovers
Jack Marriott – Peterborough United
Nick Powell – Wigan Athletic
Sky Bet League Two Player of the Season*
Adebayo Akinfenwa – Wycombe Wanderers
Mohamed Eisa – Cheltenham Town
Billy Kee – Accrington Stanley
EA Sports Young Player of the Season*
James Maddison – Norwich City
Ruben Neves – Wolverhampton Wanderers
Ryan Sessegnon – Fulham
LFE Apprentice of the Year – Championship
Alex Hunt – Sheffield Wednesday
Danny Loader – Reading
Ryan Sessegnon – Fulham
LFE Apprentice of the Year – League One
Dru Yearwood – Southend United
Lewis Freestone – Peterborough United
Anthony Hartigan – AFC Wimbledon
LFE Apprentice of the Year – League Two
George Lloyd – Cheltenham Town
Jordan Ponticelli – Coventry City
Ben Wilmot – Stevenage
Checkatrade Community Club of the Year
North West – Blackburn Rovers
Yorkshire & North East – Middlesbrough
Midlands – Derby County
London – Charlton Athletic
South East – Portsmouth
South West & Wales – Bristol City
Sir Tom Finney and Contribution to League Football Awards
To be announced on the night
Special Recognition Award – Club Developed XI
To be announced on the night
Mitre Goal of the Year
The EFL Awards audience will vote for the overall winner.
TOP 5
- Graham Carey: Blackpool v PLYMOUTH ARGYLE - 30th December
- Olly Lee: LUTON TOWN v Cambridge United - 18th November
- Marcus Maddison: PETERBOROUGH UNITED v Shrewsbury Town - 28th October
- Aiden O’Brien: MILLWALL v Northampton Town - 14th April
- Adam Reach: Aston Villa v SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY - 4th November
EFL TEAM OF THE SEASON - Sky Bet Championship*
Goalkeeper: John Ruddy - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Defender: Ryan Sessegnon - Fulham
Defender: Conor Coady - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Defender: John Terry - Aston Villa
Defender: Ryan Fredericks - Fulham
Midfielder: Tom Cairney - Fulham
Midfielder: Ruben Neves - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Midfielder: James Maddison - Norwich City
Forward: Bobby Reid - Bristol City
Forward: Matej Vydra - Derby County
Forward: Albert Adomah - Aston Villa
Manager: Neil Warnock - Cardiff City
EFL TEAM OF THE SEASON - Sky Bet League One*
Goalkeeper: David Raya - Blackburn Rovers
Defender: Omar Beckles - Shrewsbury Town
Defender: Charlie Mulgrew - Blackburn Rovers
Defender: Dan Burn - Wigan Athletic
Defender: Nathan Byrne - Wigan Athletic
Midfielder: Bradley Dack - Blackburn Rovers
Midfielder: Sam Morsy - Wigan Athletic
Midfielder: Jon Nolan - Shrewsbury Town
Midfielder: Graham Carey - Plymouth Argyle
Forward: Nick Powell - Wigan Athletic
Forward: Jack Marriott - Peterborough United
Manager: Paul Hurst - Shrewsbury Town
EFL TEAM OF THE SEASON - Sky Bet League Two*
Goalkeeper: Lee Burge - Coventry City
Defender: Dan Potts - Luton Town
Defender: Alan Sheehan - Luton Town
Defender: Jordan Willis - Coventry City
Defender: Jack Stacey - Luton Town
Midfielder: Michael Bostwick - Lincoln City
Midfielder: Sean McConville - Accrington Stanley
Midfielder: Luke Berry - Luton Town
Forward: Adebayo Akinfenwa - Wycombe Wanderers
Forward: Danny Hylton - Luton Town
Forward: Billy Kee - Accrington Stanley
Manager: John Coleman - Accrington Stanley
*Please note that loan players are ineligible