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The North West Football Awards, conceived and created by How-Do and Out There Events, provided almost 500 guests at the Awards dinner this week with a memorable and quite unique evening.
Ray Stubbs was the evening’s MC and notable winners included MUFC – Club of The Year – Ashley Williams – Player of The Year – while Sir Bobby Charlton won the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Other winners included Mikel Arteta, the Barclays Premiership Player of the Year, Burnley defender Michael Duff, who was named Championship player of the year and Tranmere Rovers’ Ian Goodison for League One player of the year. Morecambe and Southport hero, Carl Baker, received the Conference title.
The dinner, held at the Midland in Manchester, was a complete sell-out and we are now exploring the potential for larger venues for next year.
Over £25,000 was raised for the Awards’ chosen charity. Everton and former Manchester United star, Phil Neville, attended in his capacity as patron of the New Children’s Hospital Appeal, which received all proceeds from the event.NWFA The Awards were created to celebrate the commercial, marketing and professional services talent in the region off the pitch - in addition to the recognised talent on the pitch.
The North West has 23 professional football teams and is also home to one of the world’s greatest concentrations of footballing expertise. Our clubs are recognised internationally while the expertise of the region’s professional and business community is called upon nationally and internationally.
The region is also home to the Professional Footballer’s Association, the Football League and the National Football Museum, as well as a number of football and sporting agencies and commercial sports goods businesses, such as Adidas, Umbro, Reebok and Nike and retailers JJB Sports and JD Sports.
T o help ensure the Awards conveyed the maximum credibility and authority, we were fortunate to be able to secure the half a dozen acclaimed footballing experts.
In addition to our judges, over 20,000 fans voted for the Player and Manager of The Year categories. We were delighted that Century FM came on board as an enthusiastic media partner while PR agency MC2 ably provided media relations support. And How-Do and Out There would like to express their appreciation of the active and enthusiastic support of the National Football Museum.
Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the PFA and a judge said: “This was a truly memorable night. It was great to see the North West’s footballing community come out in force to celebrate the region’s success both on the pitch and behind the scenes, as well as raising a huge amount of money for a fantastic local charity.
“The North West is at the beating heart of football and the fans have really got behind their teams – a huge number voted for our top players and managers. We’re already planning next year’s awards in anticipation of another triumphant season for the region’s teams.”
Comedian Jason Manford provided the after dinner entertainment.
The judges were:
 Taylor
After losing to Fulham at Maine Road in the 1975 FA Cup Semi-Final Replay, he returned to Lancashire to help Blackburn Rovers avoid relegation.
He joined Bury in 1978 and was also appointed chairman of the PFA succeeding Derek Dougan. He joined the PFA full time in 1980 and was appointed chief executive in 1981.
 Boon
He retired from the partnership of Deloitte & Touche in 2005 having created, built and led the firm’s international Sports Business Group, based in Manchester. He is now working as an independent sports business consultant and forensic accountant/expert witness in sports disputes and is a director of the British Association for Sport and Law.
He created the Deloitte Annual Review of Football Finance and was its editor for 14 years. Now in its 16th year, this publication represents the ‘Bible’ of football’s financial and commercial facts and figures.
 Watkins
He has handled numerous high value soccer transfers at home and abroad and represents clubs and players before FIFA, UEFA, FA, FAPL and Football League disciplinary bodies, the Court of Arbitration for Sport and international and league compensation tribunals. He is currently working with the South Africa and Nigeria Premier Leagues on television and regulatory matters.
He is a regular speaker on footballing issues at home and abroad, having represented the Football Association and FA Premier League at recent conferences in Egypt, Qatar, Dubai, Trinidad and Tobago and Tokyo.
 Thorogood
He is a keen follower of all sports, with the emphasis more on enthusiasm than skill these days….He is an enthusiastic but erratic golfer, a keen but unhurried jogger and would now class himself as an experienced midfield ‘stroller’ on the five a side pitch.
He has been involved in football administration for over 20 years.
 Myers
In 1996 Everton Football Club invited him to become their first Press Officer. During his time with the club he dealt with the media attention that surrounded the appointment of four different managers, a Boardroom takeover and the arrival of Paul Gascoigne! In 2001 he decided to switch codes and joined Sky Sports News.
As North West Bureau Chief Alan deals with seven Premiership clubs, three Championship clubs and countless league and non league teams.
 Cannon
He holds visiting Professorships in Britain, the USA and Asia. Ideopolis’ work ranges from studies of the “Urban Revolution” to leadership, entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility, innovation and change management.
He can regularly be heard and seen on national radio and TV commenting on footballing issues.
The awards categories, sponsors, finalists and winners were, together with the judges’ comments:
Best Club Marketing Campaign. Sponsored by Ideopolis.
Winner. Blackburn Rovers FC
The finalists were Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City and Preston North End.
This Club went out on a limb by using £1million of TV revenue to cut the average cost of an adult season ticket by 25%. A clear winner – whose marketing initiative was innovative, bold and successful. This entry demonstrated leadership and was a brave decision by the club to encourage more fans through the turnstiles.
The judges also felt a special commendation should be awarded to Preston North End for their “A Time for Heroes” Campaign, an extremely successful campaign which captured the imagination of the supporters, celebrating the clubs heroes of yesteryear and the current team and led to record half season ticket sales.
Community Club of the year. Sponsored by The Football Foundation.
Joint winners Bolton Wanderers and Manchester City Football Club
The quality and commitment displayed by North West clubs to their local communities is exceptional and the quality of entries in this category was excellent.
The finalists of the Community Club of the Year were Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers, Burnley, Everton, Manchester City and Preston North End.
There were two very powerful submissions and the judges felt each submission had substantial merits, Therefore a joint first was felt most fitting.
The judges also felt that all the other finalists were worthy of a commendation for the fantastic projects they are working on with their local communities.
Best Club Sponsorship. Sponsored by Deloitte.
Winner. Manchester United
The finalists of the Best Club Sponsorship were Bolton Wanderers, Manchester United and Stockport County.
The winning submission was excellent and clearly ticked all the criteria boxes. The winner clearly understands and appreciates the value of sponsorship and the importance of creating a clear strategy for their commercial sponsors.
The proof of this being that after only one season, AIG is one of the most recognised brands in football.
Best non Match-day use of a Football Ground. Sponsored by How-Do and Out There Events. Winner Bolton Wanderers
The finalists of the Best Non-Match Day Use of a Football Ground were Bolton Wanderers, Everton, Manchester City and Tranmere Rovers.
The non-match day facilities at this club are in use 365 days a year and deliver 20% of the clubs total turnover. Using its superb facilities this club has hosted many world class events, including Coldplay, Elton John and Oasis, attracting international audiences to the region.
A special commendation also went to Tranmere Rovers for their ‘Play on the Pitch’ promotion involving more than 70 teams from local clubs, businesses and schools.
Commercial Team of the Year. Sponsored by dandara.
Winner Manchester United
This team have clearly met their key objective to grow revenue through attracting and retaining key personnel and partners to ensure sustainable growth.
An outstanding submission and the benchmark against which all other clubs should measure themselves.
Northwest Business Award for Services to Football. Sponsored by Harvey Nichols. Winner Deloitte.
The finalists were Deloitte, Forbes Solicitors, OMM and the ADI Group
Proud of their North West roots this winner continues to deliver a sustained quality professional service for the industry and is recognised world-wide as the definitive source of information in the game.
The judges also felt that one entry not only had professional expertise but also provided substantial support to grass roots football in East Lancashire – Forbes Solicitors.
Manager of the Year. Sponsored by Brabners Chaffe Street.
Winner Sir Alex Ferguson
The finalists for the North West Manager of the Year was voted for by the public and Century Radio listeners and were Mark Hughes, Rafael Benitez, Simon Grayson and Sir Alex Ferguson
Player of the Year/Premier League. Sponsored by Grant Thornton.
Winner Mikel Arteta
The finalists as voted for by the public and Century FM listeners were Cristiano Ronaldo, Mikel Arteta, Ryan Giggs and Steven Gerrard.
Unfortunately Arteta couldn’t attend the dinner as had to return to Spain for treatment for an injury. Phil Neville accepted the award on his behalf.
Player of the Year Championship. Sponsored by Jones Lang LaSalle.
Winner Michael Duff
The finalists as voted for by the public and Century FM listeners were David Nugent, Matt Hill and Michael Duff.
Player of the Year League One. Sponsored by the PFA.
Winner Ian Goodison
The finalists as voted for by the public and Century FM listeners were Andy Morrell, Ian Goodison and Paul Warne
Player of the Year League Two. Sponsored by Sky Sports News.
Winner Ashley Williams
The finalists as voted for by the public and Century FM listeners were Andy Bishop, Ashley Williams and Glenn Murray.
Player of the Year Conference. Sponsored by MC2.
Winner Carl Baker
The finalists as voted for by the public and Century FM listeners were Adam Yates and Carl Baker
Overall North West Player of the Year. Sponsored by Adam & Company.
Winner Ashley Williams
Chosen by the judges subsequent to the fans voting.
Off the pitch this player sets an example at his club which takes the relationships with sponsors and community groups to a new level and as a player he always gives his all. He is a role model for younger team members, takes time to educate them and sets a great example; he’s one of the best defenders at this level and has a great career ahead of him.
North West Club of the Year. Sponsored by KPMG.
Winner Manchester United
This club’ s company mission is “to be the best both on and off the pitch” and with an on pitch team that rarely fails to amaze and an off pitch commercial team that works so effectively with its partners, this club has been instrumental in helping to promote the Northwest as the world’s leading football region.
Goal of the Year. Sponsored by Barclays Commercial Banking.
Winner Danny Carlton.
The winner was chosen by guests at the dinner on the evening.
The finalists were Danny Carlton, Keigan Parker, Daniel Agger, David Bentley, David Nugent and Wayne Rooney and their nominations were for the following goals.
20/05/07 Danny Carlton - Morecambe 2 Exeter 1 - Conference National Play-off Final
27/05/07 Keigan Parker - Blackpool 2 Yeovil 0 - Wembley Play-off Final
01/05/07 Daniel Agger - Liverpool 1 Chelsea 0 - UEFA Champions League
16/12/06 David Bentley - Reading 1 Blackburn 2 - Premier League
27/01/07 David Nugent - Crystal Palace 0 Preston North End 2 - FA Cup
17/03/07 Wayne Rooney – Manchester United 4 Bolton 1 – Premier League
The winner was Danny Carlton for writing himself into town folklore when he netted Morecambe's Wembley winner to decide the Conference play-off final and gave the Club a Football League place for the first time since they were formed in 1920.
A match immortalised by Sammy McIlroy's pitch celebrations.
Lifetime Contribution to North West Football. Sponsored by Brabners Chaffe Street.
Sir Bobby Charlton.
In their first year, the North West Football Awards judges were always going to face a number of demanding challenges while working their way through the substantial number of quality submissions. However, when it came to the Life Time Achievement Award, the judges were in agreement: there was just one clear winner.
He is still England's top scorer and a legend across the world. Voted European Footballer of the Year in 1966, awarded the CBE in 1973, appointed a director of his beloved club in 1984 and inducted into the inaugural English Football Hall of Fame in 2002.
Beyond football he has also been a highly visible supporter of regional sporting causes such as Manchester's 2002 Commonwealth Games but he remains at his core a passionate footballing man.
How-Do and Out There would like to thank all the judges, clubs, sponsors, partners and fans for their time and effort.
Here’s to an even bigger North West Football Awards 2008!
www.northwestfootballawards.co.uk
www.outthereevents.com
www.centuryfm.co.uk
MC2
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