United Youth team captain Tom Aldred has picked up the prestigious Youth Apprentice of the Year award at the Football League annual awards dinner at the Grosvenor Hotel in London this evening.

Aldred, 18, described as 'looking like a cross between a Panda and Shrek' by Youth manager Eric Kinder, following a clash of heads in the 3-1 victory over Port Vale yesterday, travelled down to the capital this morning and received his accolade in front of an appreciative crowd.

Speaking shortly after Aldred collected his trophy Kinder said: "This is fantastic for Tom, for the Youth team and for the club as a whole. He has worked really hard and he has had an excellent season, and I am delighted that he has picked up this award."

Aldred added: "I just feel really proud. It was quite nerve-wracking having to go up there in front of all those people, but it's great that I have been given the award when you look at the quality of the other players nominated as well."

Kinder said: "He was interviewed live on stage in front of about 1000 people by George Gavin from Sky Sports and he handled it really well. The lad who was runner up has played over 30 games for MK Dons so it shows just how well he has done. It was presented to him by Gordon Taylor from the PFA so it has been a really big night for him."

In what has been an amazing year for the youngster he has signed his first professional contract, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2010, captained the Youth side through an incredible run of just one defeat in 17 league games, made his debut for the Scotland U19 side in an away game in France, travelled and trained with the first team squad, played regularly in the Reserves and was singled out to update a regular online Blog by the League Football Education foundation.

We'll have more reaction from Tom Aldred and Eric Kinder on their return to Carlisle on Tuesday.