Boro nominated in Family Club of the Year category and Ryan Johnson nominated as League 2 Apprentice of the Year
Stevenage FC have been nominated in two categories at the forthcoming Football League Awards 2015, the 10th anniversary of the annual awards ceremony that celebrates on and off pitch excellence across The League’s 72 clubs.
Stevenage have been nominated in the Family Club of the Year category which looks for the club that best demonstrates outstanding delivery of activity to attract and retain families at games. Among other criteria the entries are judged taking into account specially targeted pricing; matchday entertainment, catering, programme and interaction; and the first assessment visit as part of the Family Excellence Awards this season.
Fellow nominees in this category include Plymouth in League 2, MK Dons and Colchester United in League 1 and both Brighton and Middlesbrough in the Championship. There is an overall award for the three divisions, however the clubs ranked highest from the other two divisions will also receive recognition for being the best in their division.
First year pro Ryan Johnson has been nominated as the LFE Apprentice of the Year for League 2
Meanwhile young defender Ryan Johnson has been shortlisted as the LFE Apprentice of the Year in League 2. This award aims to recognise outstanding young professionals at Football League clubs who
excel both on and off the pitch. Players registered as a first-year or second-year scholar, or as a first-year professional are eligible for this award. The record of the player in all competitions since he became an apprentice are taken into account, alongside his education attainment, disciplinary record and any other outstanding achievements. Ryan is nominated along with Portsmouth's Conor Chaplin and AFC Wimbledon's Ben Harrison.
This means Boro are one of just four clubs leading the way with two nominations each, from a total of 19 clubs who have made the shortlists for the first four categories.
To tie in with the 10th anniversary, this year there are a total of 10 categories with shortlists for four categories announced so far. The winners will be announced at a gala ceremony at The Brewery, London on Sunday 19th April 2015.
Drew Barrand, Marketing Director of The Football League, said: “The Football League Awards 2015 provides not just the opportunity to recognise star performances, both on and off the pitch over the last year, but also the chance to celebrate the last 10 years of the event.
“This is the best year yet in terms of the standard and number of entries so to make the shortlists is a real achievement by the clubs and individuals involved. We wish all those nominated the best of luck and look forward to a fantastic evening in April when we will announce the winners.”
The shortlists announced are:
Family Club of the Year
Brighton & Hove Albion
Colchester United
Middlesbrough
Milton Keynes Dons
Plymouth Argyle
Stevenage
Johnstone’s Paint Community Club of the Year
Blackburn Rovers (NORTH WEST)
Doncaster Rovers (YORKSHIRE & NORTH EAST)
Derby County (MIDLANDS)
Norwich City (EAST)
Brighton & Hove Albion (SOUTH)
PFA Player in the Community
Hope Akpan (Reading)
Elliot Omozusi (Leyton Orient)
Danny Shittu (Millwall)
LFE Apprentice of the Year
Championship
Lewis Cook (Leeds United)
Fred Onyedinma (Millwall)
Joe Gomez (Charlton Athletic)
League 1
George Cooper (Crewe Alexandra)
Louis Reed (Sheffield United)
Giorgio Rasulo (Milton Keynes Dons)
League 2
Conor Chaplin (Portsmouth)
Ben Harrison (AFC Wimbledon)
Ryan Johnson (Stevenage)
Clubs not shortlisted for these awards could still taste success on the evening. There will also be awards on the night for the Mitre Goal of the Year, Capital One Supporter of the Year, Sky Bet Players of the Year, Young Player of the Year, the Sir Tom Finney Award and Contribution to League Football.
Alongside these there will be two special categories to mark the 10th anniversary of the event – the Tokio Marine Club Hero Award recognising a member of staff at each of the 72 Football League clubs, and the Football Manager Team of the Decade with 11 selected players and a manager selected based on performances from the past 10 seasons.
Fans currently have the chance to have a say in one of the award categories, with voting for the Mitre Goal of the Year shortlist taking place in conjunction with Soccer AM. To see the goals and vote visit http://www1.skysports.com/goaloftheyear.
To find out more about The Football League Awards, and for a full list of Award categories, please visit www.FLAwards.com.
Remember the next opportunity to visit The Lamex Stadium and enjoy our family friendly match day experience is this Saturday 21st March against Dagenham & Redbridge (3pm KO). Family tickets start from just £30 for one adult and two U16s (seated, only available in advance) and you can buy tickets here. Not visited Stevenage FC before? Then why not take a look at our First Time Guide here.