The winners of the MBNA Northwest Football Awards 2016 have been announced, celebrating things good in the region’s football world, from grass roots to the Premier League and the treatment table to the Boardroom. 

With all of the player-related awards voted for by football fans, the North West Football Awards were presented at a glitzy black tie event in Manchester on Monday evening. 

Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho was named Premier League Player of the Year while Andre Gray was named Championship Player of the Year after the striker’s 23 goals helped to fire Burnley to promotion last season and saw him named top scorer in the division. 

Wigan Athletic’s David Perkins was named League One Player of the Year with League Two Player of the season award going to Accrington Stanley forward, Billy Kee, who has found the net 21 times in 52 appearances for the club. 

James Norwood, star striker for Tranmere Rovers collected the National League Player of the Year title after scoring 19 goals last season for the non-league giants – and having already scored seven league goals this season. 

Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford was named the region’s Rising Star of the Year after bursting onto the scene as a relative unknown in February and scoring on his Manchester United and England debuts at the age of just 18 – becoming the youngest ever English player to score in his first senior international game. 

Manchester City Women’s manager, Nick Cushing was named Masters in Sporting Directorship Manager of the Year, ahead of very strong competition including counterparts from across both the men’s and women’s leagues at all levels. 

WINNERS OFF THE PITCH 

A judging panel – which includes the PFA’s Dennis Leman, Colin Bridgford, CEO of Manchester FA and senior football broadcast journalists from BBC Radio Manchester, Merseyside and Lancashire – had a tough job reaching their decisions on the non-Playing awards, with a record number of nominations received this year. 

An impressive six football clubs from across the region were shortlisted for their work in the community, recognising the unsung heroes and fantastic work that often goes unnoticed. 

Everton, Manchester City, Burnley, Preston North End, Tranmere Rovers and Wigan Athletic were all picked out for their fantastic community contributions by the judging panel, which also included senior executives from Kick it Out, Women in Football, fcbusiness, She Kicks, the Football Foundation, the Football Medical Association, MBNA and Mob Sport. 

The Community Initiative of the Year, in association with the PFA also went to Wigan Athletic Community Trust for its ‘Pathway 2 Participation’ social inclusion programme for young people who are at risk of offending, and keeping them otherwise occupied elsewhere from doing so. 

The Fabrice Muamba Award for Outstanding Service to Football Medicine and Science, in association with the Football Medical Association was presented to Dr Joyce Watson of Accrington Stanley Football Club.

Dr Joyce’s work within the football medicine and science field has been second to none this year and on countless occasions she has gone above and beyond in dedication to her profession. 

Salford-born sports journalist and writer for the Guardian, David Conn, picked up the accolade of Football Journalist of the Year, in recognition of his standout investigative work relating to the Hillsborough Disaster. 

The award for Best Club Marketing Campaign when to Liverpool FC and club legend, Robbie Fowler, who starred in the advert for the LFC Credit Card 

The Best Club Sponsorship or Engagement Campaign went to Tranmere Rovers for its Super White Army 2 #SWA2 supporter engagement initiative. 

The UCFB Business and Professional Services to Football went to ATPI Sports Events in recognition of going the extra mile for football services in the Northwest 

Laura Wolfe, Managing Director of the Northwest Football Awards, comments: “These awards celebrate all things good in the region’s football from grass roots to the Premier League, treatment table to the Boardroom and have grown year-on-year in popularity due to their inclusive approach to the game in the region. 

“In total, 22 clubs from the North West received nominations demonstrating the importance of the game to the region; both in terms of what it means to fans and the social and economic benefits and opportunities that football delivers to local communities. 

“We’re really proud of our region’s status as the UK’s capital of football and would like to thank everyone involved and who voted, both on and off the football pitch.” 

THE FULL LIST OF WINNERS