The 2008 North West Football Awards proved to be a resounding success with a packed house of talent – both on and off the pitch –coming together to celebrate the abundance of footballing expertise excellence that exists across our region.
The event - now in its second year - provided over 450 guests with another unforgettable and quite unique evening at the Midland Hotel in Manchester.
Ray Stubbs was joined this year by Mark Lawrenson as joint comperes and among many memorable moments, their on-stage interview with Sir Tom Finney, the winner of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award, proved to be a particular highlight for the audience which offered Sir Tom a standing ovation.
Other notable winners included David Moyes who picked up the Northwest Manager of the Year Award, Sir Alex Ferguson winning the Outstanding Achievement Award, Fernando Torres the Premiership Player of the Year and Ryan Giggs chosen as the overall Northwest Footballer of the Year.
Other big winners included Preston North End which came away with three winners’ awards and Wade Elliot of Burnley FC who picked up the Goal of the Year.
The judges were also keen to recognise the outstanding female footballing talent in the region and a new award was created this year: Northwest Female Footballer of the Year which was received by Everton’s star striker, Jill Scott.
Everton manager David Moyes commented: “It was an absolute honour not only to be at the Awards but also to receive such a prestigious Award. Knowing 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.”
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.
To help ensure the Awards conveyed the maximum credibility and authority, we were fortunate to be able to draw together half a dozen acclaimed footballing experts as our judges. For the record they were: Gordon Taylor, Gerry Boon, Maurice Watkins, Paul Thorogood, Alan Myers and Tom Cannon. Further comprehensive information on the judges can be found towards the end of this review.
In addition to our judges, over 85,000 fans participated in some of the award categories with additional strategic and specific marketing support provided by marketing agency MC2.
A substantial sum was also raised on the evening for the New Children’s Hospital Appeal but with further donations still being received, we will announce shortly the final sum. Last year over £25,000 was raised for the Appeal.
Award winners
Community Scheme of the Year – sponsored by the Football Foundation Bolton Wanderers Football Club Manchester City Football Club
Community Scheme-Project of the Year – sponsored by the Football Foundation Preston North End Football Club – Healthy Schools Project
Player of the Year-Blue Square Conference League Lee Steele - Northwich Victoria Football Club
Best Club Sponsorship Everton Football Club
Player of the Year -Coca Cola League 2 Paul Mullin - Accrington Stanley Football Club
Best Club Marketing Campaign - Premier League - sponsored by MC2 Liverpool Football Club Manchester United Football Club
Player of the Year – Coca Cola League 1 Ian Goodison- Tranmere Rovers Football Club
Most Innovative Non Match-day Use of a Football Ground City of Manchester Stadium
Player of the Year- Coca Cola Championship Sean St Ledger - Preston North End Football Club
Northwest Business Award for Services to Football JMC IT
Best Club Marketing Campaign-Football and Conference Leagues Preston North End Football Club
Northwest Professional Services to Football Brabners Chaffe Street LLP
Player of the Year - Barclays Premier League – sponsored by Grant Thornton Fernando Torres - Liverpool Football Club
Northwest Female Footballer of the Year – sponsored by Footie Chick Jill Scott – Everton Ladies Football Club
Goal of the Year – sponsored by Taylormade Betting Wade Elliot – Burnley FC
Northwest Footballer of the Year – sponsored by Brown Shipley Ryan Giggs – Manchester United Football Club
Northwest Manager of the Year – sponsored by JMW David Moyes – Everton Football Club
Outstanding Achievement Award – 2007/8 Season Sir Alex Ferguson
Lifetime Contribution to North West Football – sponsored by Bank of America Sir Tom Finney
The judges were:
Gordon Taylor. Gordon Taylor was an England schoolboy trialist and originally an inside forward before establishing himself as a winger with Bolton in the Sixties, playing over 250 games for them. In December 1970 he signed for Birmingham and linked up with young stars Trevor Francis and Bob Latchford to eventually win promotion to Division 1 in 1972.
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.
Gerry Boon. Gerry has arguably worked - in the UK and internationally - with more sports organisations than any other adviser, reviewing and addressing a full range of business advisory issues.
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 17th year, this publication represents the ‘Bible’ of football’s financial and commercial facts and figures.
Maurice Watkins. Maurice is joint senior partner at leading North West law firm Brabners Chaffe Street and is also a director of Manchester United Football Club Limited.
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.
Paul Thorogood. Paul is chief executive officer of the Football Foundation, the UK's largest sports charity. He joined the Football Foundation in April 2006 following 30 years with the Royal Air Force.
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.
Alan Myers. Alan began his reporting career twenty years ago covering non league football for BBC Radio Merseyside and rose to become the morning sports presenter with the station.
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.
Tom Cannon. Tom is CEO of Ideopolis, a research and development company focussing on innovation, change, enterprise and leadership. Born in Liverpool, his career has included director of Manchester Business School (MBS) and chief executive of the government’s Management Charter Initiative. He has also held posts ranging from brand management with fast moving consumer goods to a specialist development company created by Anita and Gordon Roddick.
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 and has recently taken on an additional role working with Liverpool University and its newly created Sports Business department.
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