Star Studded Ceremony Celebrates the Region’s Footballing Prowess.
Preston North End was a big winner on the night walking away with three awards; Community Scheme Project of the Year, Best Club Marketing Campaign and the Coca Cola Championship Player of the Year Award won by Sean St Ledger.
The overall Northwest Footballer of the Year went to Manchester United’s record appearance leader, Ryan Giggs for his exemplary skill on the pitch together with the charity work he carries out off the pitch.
 Footballing legend, Sir Bobby Charlton, picked up his award on his behalf and Giggs, who couldn’t be there, sent a pre-recorded message thanking the NWFA and the judges for the great honour. The NWFA, not wanting to ignore the fantastic female footballing talent in the region, for the first time created a Northwest Female Footballer of the Year Award, received by the FA Player’s Player of the Year and Everton’s star striker, Jill Scott.The Awards also recognised clubs’ commercial teams and their commitment to their local areas. Bolton Wanderers and Manchester City shared the honour for Community Scheme of the Year, while Everton took the crown for Best Club Sponsorship Campaign. The high level of entries for this year’s Best Club Marketing Campaign meant this category was split into two, with Liverpool and Manchester United receiving joint recognition for the Barclays Premier League and Preston North End raising the trophy for the Football League and Conference. The City of Manchester Stadium won the Award for Most Innovative Non Match-day Use of a Football Ground. The Northwest’s footballing heritage isn’t all about on-the-pitch activity and last night the NWFA ensured that this was acknowledged. JMC IT were presented the Northwest Business Services to Football Award with Sportglobal Football Trade Directory a creditable runner up and Brabners Chaffe Street LLP the Northwest Professional Services to Football, for their continued support and commitment to the football industry. As Managing Director George Moss explained "This is testament to the progress made in the last 12 months by the team at Sportsglobal to be in the same room as the legends at the Awards." Everton’s Manager and Manager of the Year Winner, David Moyes commented ‘It was an absolute honour not only to be at the Awards tonight, but also to receive such as prestigious Award, and to know it was chosen by my own peers makes it all the more special. Seeing so many talented footballers and their clubs in the room and experiencing first hand the level of support the region receives in this field was exceptional. Thankyou so much.’ A full list of the Award winners are as follows: Community Scheme of the Year Community Scheme-Project of the Year Player of the Year-Blue Square Premier League Best Club Sponsorship Player of the Year -Coca Cola League 2 Best Club Marketing Campaign - Barclays Premiership League Player of the Year – Coca Cola League 1 Most Innovative Non Match-day Use of a Football Ground Player of the Year-Coca Cola Championship Northwest Business Award for Services to Football Best Club Marketing Campaign-Football and Blue Square Premier Leagues Northwest Professional Services to Football Player of the Year - Barclays Premier League Northwest Female Footballer of the Year Goal of the Year Northwest Footballer of the Year Northwest Manager of the Year Outstanding Achievement Award – 2007-2008 Season Lifetime Contribution to Northwest Football |
The Northwest Football Awards (NWFA) reached a glittering climax on Monday 17th November 2008 in a prestigious Awards Ceremony at the Midland Hotel, Manchester.
Football celebrities and VIPs from across the country attended the exclusive event, including Preston North End legend, Sir Tom Finney who was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award and Everton’s David Moyes who received the coveted Northwest Manager of the Year Award. Sir Alex Ferguson won an Outstanding Achievement Award, in recognition of Manchester United winning the double last season.
Over 85,000 votes from 163 countries decided the night’s other footballing winners including Fernando Torres for the Barclays Premiership Player of the Year, Tranmere’s defender Ian Goodison was voted Coca Cola League 1 Player of the Year and Accrington Stanleys’ Paul Mullin for Coca Cola League 2 Player of the Year. Northwich Victoria’s striker, Lee Steele pipped Altrincham’s Colin Little to the post receiving the Blue Square Conference League Player of the Year title.
