Carlisle United Football Club

Ruben Neves, Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegnon to contest Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season

The shortlists have been revealed for the 2018 EFL Awards taking place on Sunday 15 April at the London Hilton on Park Lane.  Awards will be given out across 12 categories at the star-studded event attended by players, managers, Clubs, legends of the game and media in central London.

Fulham’s young star Ryan Sessegnon has been shortlisted for an impressive four awards, the 17-year-old, who has scored 14 goals in the League this season, is nominated for the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season, EA Sports Young Player of the Season, LFE Apprentice of the Year and Football Manager Team of the Season. 

Wolves’ Ruben Neves is in contention for three awards with the Portuguese playmaker set to contest the Championship Player of the Season, Young Player of the Season and EFL Team of the Season.  Whilst Fulham’s creative midfielder Tom Cairney, who has been instrumental in Fulham’s charge for the Play-Offs, is shortlisted for the Championship Player of the Season and Team of the Season.

In the flagship Player of the Season award in League One, Blackburn Rovers’ highly rated attacking midfielder Bradley Dack has scored 16 goals this season to help Rovers into first spot and gain his place on the shortlist.  Dack is joined by another creative midfielder, Wigan Athletic’s Nick Powell, who has been a key figure in his side’s charge for the Championship, the former Manchester United player has 14 goals so far this campaign.  Making up the shortlist is Peterborough United’s Jack Marriott, the striker is the leading goal scorer in League One with an impressive 25 goals scored in league competition.

The shortlist for the League Two Player of the Season features the League’s top two goal scorers, Accrington Stanley’s Billy Kee has 21 goals so far this season whilst Cheltenham Town’s Mohamed Eisa is just one goal behind on 20.  Wycombe Wanderers’ Adebayo Akinfenwa is also shortlisted, the 35-year-old has used his physical prowess to give Wycombe Wanderers a great chance of promotion.

All 72 EFL managers were invited to vote for their players of the season, with votes also compiled for the Championship, League One and League Two Teams of the Season (full details below).  The overall EFL Team of the Season will be announced on the night of the awards.

Other awards to be announced on the night include the Realise Family Club of the Year, Checkatrade Community Club of the Year, LFE Apprentice of the Year, SMG Insight Supporter of the Year, Sir Tom Finney Award and Contribution to League Football award.  The Mitre Goal of the Year will also be voted for on the night.

Also announced will be players selected for a Special Recognition Award to celebrate the EFL’s continued commitment to Youth Development. From 2018/19 season, all EFL Clubs will need to name at least one Club Developed player on each team sheet for any EFL League 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. 

2018 EFL AWARDS SHORTLIST  

Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season*

Thomas 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

PFA Player in the Community

Divisional winners to be announced w/c 9 April.  Overall winner to be announced on the night

SMG Insight Supporter of the Year

Divisional winners to be announced w/c 9 April.  Overall winner to be announced on the night

Realise Family Club of the Year

Divisional winners to be announced w/c 9 April.  Overall winner to be announced on the night

Mitre Goal of the Year

The EFL Awards audience will vote for the overall winner.

EFL TEAM OF THE SEASON - Sky Bet Championship*

EFL TEAM OF THE SEASON - Sky Bet League One*

EFL TEAM OF THE SEASON - Sky Bet League Two*

* Please note that loan players are ineligible