Dale Player bags award

Joe Thompson has won the Apprentice Award for League 2 at the 2007 Football League Awards incorporating FourFourTwo`s Top 50 Football League Players.

The 18-year-old Rochdale midfielder received the award, which was sponsored by Nivea for Men Weekend Wonders, at a gala dinner at the Grosvenor House on Park Lane on Sunday 4th March 2007.

Thompson made his first team debut as a substitute in Rochdale`s final league game of the 2005/06 season against Carlisle United, and has gone on to make eight League appearances (one full + seven substitute) for the club`s first team this season. In addition, he has made numerous appearances for both the Reserves and the Youth Team in his time at the club.

Academically, Joe has already successfully completed his Level 2 Coaching Certificate in October 2006, and is also on course to achieve his BTEC National Certificate with a potential merit/distinction profile.

On his award Joe says I’m 18 tomorrow so this is absolutely brilliant for me. I’m a bit shocked, I certainly didn’t expect to get the award, but I worked very hard to get into the first team squad. I’ve made a few starts now and I never feel out of place. Now I aim to stay focussed and dedicated to make a good career as a professional footballer.”



Commenting on the 2007 Football League Awards, The Football League Chairman, Lord Mawhinney, said: “Once again, The Football League Awards have been a great success. They have given us the opportunity to recognise and reward the outstanding contributions made to The Football League by fans, clubs, players and sponsors.”

The number one spot in the FourFourTwo Top 50 Football League Players went to West Bromwich Albion midfielder, Jason Koumas, followed by Dave Nugent of Preston North End and Gareth Bale of Southampton. The full list of The Top 50 Football League Players can be found in the April issue of FourFourTwo which is on sale now.

To find out more about The Football League Awards please visit www.footballleagueawards.com.

The full list of winners from The Football League Awards is as follows:

FOOTBALL AWARDS

Wickes Young Apprentice Award – Coca-Cola Championship
Chris Gunter, Cardiff City

Apprentice Award – Coca-Cola League 1 – sponsored by Nivea for Men Weekend Wonders
Joe Skarz, Huddersfield Town

Apprentice Award – Coca-Cola League 2 – sponsored by Nivea for Men Weekend Wonders
Joe Thompson, Rochdale

Goal of the Year – sponsored by Mitre
Joe Ledley, Barnsley v Cardiff, 5th August 2006

FourFourTwo Young Player of the Year – Coca-Cola Football League **
Gareth Bale, Southampton

FourFourTwo Player of the Year – Coca-Cola League 2*
Izale McLeod, Milton Keynes Dons

FourFourTwo Player of the Year – Coca-Cola League 1*
Billy Sharp, Scunthorpe United

FourFourTwo Player of the Year – Coca-Cola Championship*
Jason Koumas, West Bromwich Albion

*These awards were presented to the highest ranked player in each division in FourFourTwo`s Top 50 Football League Players

**This award was presented to the highest ranked young Football League player in FourFourTwo`s Top 50 Football League Players

INDUSTRY AWARDS

· Community Club of the Year – sponsored by Wickes

Brighton and Hove Albion

Best Community Initiative – sponsored by The Football Foundation
Norwich City

Best Club Sponsorship – sponsored by Carling
Brentford

Best Club Marketing Campaign – sponsored by CSI Sports
Norwich City

Best Matchday Programme – sponsored by PA Sport
Colchester United

Best Use of New Media – sponsored by Football Manager
Cardiff City

Best Kit Design – sponsored by Nivea for Men Weekend Wonders
Burnley (Away Kit)

Best Away Ground – sponsored by Thomas Cook Sport and run in conjunction with BBC Radio Five Live
Sunderland – Stadium of Light

Fan of the Year – sponsored by FIFA ’07
Stan McGowen, Bury

Contribution to League Football – sponsored by SBJ Sports
Jack Taylor

Good Sport Award – sponsored by Wash and Go
Chris Doig, Northampton Town