Vote for Brad Potts and Patrick Brough in the NWFA
They play for different clubs, earn different wages, even have different abilities but there is one common thread linking Manchester City’s Yaya Toure, James McArthur of Wigan, Oldham’s James Wesolowski and Shaun Densmore of Altrincham.All four and many more have been nominated in the MBNA Northwest Football Awards 2014 taking place on 18th November at the Point, Emirates Old Trafford.
And now the region’s football mad fans have a chance to choose which of their favourites are going to pick up the prizes later this year.
Voting is open now and you can decide who will become Player of the Year and Rising Star for 2013/2014.
Indeed, England star Raheem Sterling is already under pressure to complete a hat-trick of top flight awards for Liverpool. Last season’s Premier League runners-up have provided the winner for the last two seasons. No, not Luis Suarez but defenders Martin Skrtel and Jamie Carragher.
Sterling looks likely to be pushed all the way for the top honour by City talisman, Toure. The former Barcelona midfielder was instrumental in the Blues’ second Premier League title in three years and scooped the African Footballer of the Year for a third successive time.
Neighbours United lost a trophy and a manager during 2013-14 but David De Gea showed why he ranks alongside German World Cup winner, Manuel Neuer, as one of the best keepers in the business.
Ross Barkley is Everton’s nomination for the North West’s ‘Rising Star’ for a second successive season and there’s every chance the England midfielder will feature in the main list in 12 months’ time. City’s Marcos Lopes is also up for the award again, won in 2013 by Liverpool’s Jerome Sinclair.
But the Awards celebrate all levels of North West football and organisers are looking to exceed the 40,000 votes cast across a wide range of categories in 2013.
Burnley’s Danny Ings scored 21 times in 40 outings last term and will be one of the favourites to succeed Bolton’s Jay Spearing as Championship player of the season.
James McArthur had a big year as Wigan entered Europe for the first time, reaching the FA Cup semi-finals, only losing a penalty shootout to Arsenal, and reaching the play-offs.
After a sixth promotion in 10 seasons Fleetwood Town find themselves in League One for the first time. Northern Ireland international defender, Conor McLaughlin, has been a big part of Town’s success since joining from Preston in 2012 and he is nominated for Player of the Year and Rising Star.
Further down the football food chain still but with ambitions one-day to make a Football League breakthrough are Altrincham. They secured Conference status again after a thrilling play-off final win over Guiseley at Moss Lane last May and like McLaughlin at Fleetwood, Shaun Densmore has been integral to the Robins’ success.
To vote, click HERE.
Voting nominations
League Two:
Bury - Danny Mayor & Anthony Dudley
Carlisle - Brad Potts & Patrick Brough
Morecambe - Andrew Fleming & Aaron McGowan
Tranmere - Jason Koumas & Max Power
