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Following the success of last year's North West Football Awards (NWFA), How-Do and Out There Events, are pleased to announce details of this year's event which will be held on Monday 17 November. We are also delighted to announce that the Bank of America has signed up to be the NWFA's first headline sponsor.
The inaugural NWFA last November was a sell-out affair attracting almost 500 guests at the black tie dinner. In addition to what proved to be a hugely enjoyable affair, over £25,000 was also raised for the Awards’ chosen charity - the New Children’s Hospital Appeal. Everton and former Manchester United star, Phil Neville, attended in his capacity as patron of the Appeal, which received all proceeds from the event. The Awards were created by How-Do and Out There Events 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, Nike and JJB Sports.All of last year's judges have agreed to give their time again to evaluate the eight categories on offer to football clubs and to keep a wary eye on the player categories which will be decided by the public's vote! Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the PFA and one of the judges, said: "The awards give all North West clubs, from the Premier League to the Conference League, the opportunity to compete, regardless of financial status and performance on the pitch. "The awards are going to be bigger and better than ever this year to celebrate the fantastic talent we have in the region." Media and commercial partners
Other partners including Century FM - which helps to promote the public's players voting - and marketing agency MC2 have also renewed their commitment this year. Last year over 20,000 votes were cast for the player categories on offer. A number of other partners have signed up again including Grant Thornton, The Football Foundation and Footie Chick. We have also reached agreement with the Bank of America for the Chester-based financial institution to be this year's headline sponsor. Paul Lawler, sponsorship manager at Bank of America Europe Card Services said: "As a long-standing supporter of UK football through our club credit card partnerships, Bank of America is delighted to sponsor the Northwest Football Awards." This year’s Awards categories are: - Goal of the Year - Community Scheme of the Year - Community Scheme - Project of the Year - Best Club Marketing Campaign - Best Club Sponsorship - Most Innovative Non Match-day use of a Football Ground - North West Business Services to Football - Northwest Professional Business Services to Football - Player of the Year – Premier League - Player of the Year – Championship - Player of the Year – League One - Player of the Year – League Two - Player of the Year – Conference - North West Female Footballer of the Year - North West Footballer of the Year - North West Manager of the Year - Lifetime Contribution to North West Football
2008 judging panel
The judges are:
 Taylor 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.
 Boon 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.
 Watkins 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.
 Thorogood 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.
 Myers 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.
 Cannon 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.
Here’s to an even bigger North West Football Awards 2008! For more information on the Awards, please visit www.northwestfootballawards.co.uk
For sponsorship opportunities and table bookings please contact Katherine Swift at Out There Events on 0161 214 5200 or Katherine@outthereevents.com www.northwestfootballawards.co.uk www.outthereevents.com www.centuryfm.co.uk
MC2
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