The shortlists have been revealed for the 2018 EFL Awards taking place on Sunday 15th April at the London Hilton on Park Lane. Awards will be given out across 12 categories at the star-studded event attended by players, managers, clubs, legends of the game and media in central London.
Fulham’s young star Ryan Sessegnon has been shortlisted for an impressive four awards. The 17-year-old, who has scored 14 goals in the League this season, is nominated for the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season, EA Sports Young Player of the Season, LFE Apprentice of the Year and Football Manager Team of the Season.
Wolves’ Ruben Neves is in contention for three awards with the Portuguese playmaker set to contest the Championship Player of the Season, Young Player of the Season and EFL Team of the Season. Fulham’s creative midfielder Tom Cairney, who has been instrumental in Fulham’s charge for the Play-Offs, is shortlisted for the Championship Player of the Season and Team of the Season.
In the flagship Player of the Season award in League One, Blackburn Rovers’ highly rated attacking midfielder Bradley Dack has scored 16 goals this season to help Rovers into top spot and gain his place on the shortlist. Dack is joined by another creative midfielder, Wigan Athletic’s Nick Powell, who has been a key figure in his side’s charge for the Championship, the former Manchester United player has 14 goals so far this campaign. Making up the shortlist is Peterborough United’s Jack Marriott, the striker is the leading goalscorer in League One with an impressive 25 goals scored in league competition.
The shortlist for the League Two Player of the Season features the League’s top two goalscorers. Accrington Stanley’s Billy Kee has 21 goals so far this season whilst Cheltenham Town’s Mohamed Eisa is just one goal behind on 20. Wycombe Wanderers’ Adebayo Akinfenwa is also shortlisted, the 35-year-old using his physical prowess to give Wycombe Wanderers a great chance of promotion.
All 72 EFL managers were invited to vote for their players of the season, with votes also compiled for the Championship, League One and League Two Teams of the Season (full details below). The overall EFL Team of the Season will be announced on the night of the awards.
Other awards to be announced on the night include the Realise Family Club of the Year, Checkatrade Community Club of the Year, LFE Apprentice of the Year, SMG Insight Supporter of the Year, Sir Tom Finney Award and Contribution to League Football award. The Mitre Goal of the Year will also be voted for on the night.
Also announced will be players selected for a Special Recognition Award to celebrate the EFL’s continued commitment to Youth Development. From the 2018/19 season, all EFL clubs will need to name at least one Club Developed player on each team sheet for any EFL game and this award will recognise a star-studded Club Developed XI, showcasing players ‘born and raised’ in the EFL, as a result of the excellent work of EFL clubs in developing some of the most talented footballers in the country.
Shortlist: 2018 EFL Awards
Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season
Thomas Cairney – Fulham
Ruben Neves – Wolverhampton Wanderers
Ryan Sessegnon – Fulham
Sky Bet League One Player of the Season
Bradley Dack – Blackburn Rovers
Jack Marriott – Peterborough United
Nick Powell – Wigan Athletic
Sky Bet League Two Player of the Season
Adebayo Akinfenwa – Wycombe Wanderers
Mohamed Eisa – Cheltenham Town
Billy Kee – Accrington Stanley
EA Sports Young Player of the Season
James Maddison – Norwich City
Ruben Neves – Wolverhampton Wanderers
Ryan Sessegnon – Fulham
LFE Apprentice of the Year – Championship
Alex Hunt – Sheffield Wednesday
Danny Loader – Reading
Ryan Sessegnon – Fulham
LFE Apprentice of the Year – League One
Dru Yearwood – Southend United
Lewis Freestone – Peterborough United
Anthony Hartigan – AFC Wimbledon
LFE Apprentice of the Year – League Two
George Lloyd – Cheltenham Town
Jordan Ponticelli – Coventry City
Ben Wilmot – Stevenage
Checkatrade Community Club of the Year
North West – Blackburn Rovers
Yorkshire & North East – Middlesbrough
Midlands – Derby County
London – Charlton Athletic
South East – Portsmouth
South West & Wales – Bristol City
Sir Tom Finney and Contribution to League Football Awards
To be announced on the night
Special Recognition Award – Club Developed XI
To be announced on the night
PFA Player in the Community
Divisional winners to be announced w/c 9th April. Overall winner to be announced on the night.
SMG Insight Supporter of the Year
Divisional winners to be announced w/c 9th April. Overall winner to be announced on the night.
Realise Family Club of the Year
Divisional winners to be announced w/c 9th April. Overall winner to be announced on the night.
Mitre Goal of the Year
The EFL Awards audience will vote for the overall winner.
TOP 5
Graham Carey
Blackpool v PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
30th December 2017
Olly Lee
LUTON TOWN v Cambridge United
18th November 2017
Marcus Maddison
PETERBOROUGH UNITED v Shrewsbury Town
28th October 2017
Aiden O’Brien
MILLWALL v Northampton Town
14th April 2017
Adam Reach
Aston Villa v SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
4th November 2017
EFL Team of the Season - Sky Bet Championship
Goalkeeper
John Ruddy
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Defenders
Ryan Sessegnon
Fulham
Conor Coady
Wolverhampton Wanderers
John Terry
Aston Villa
Ryan Fredericks
Fulham
Midfielders
Tom Cairney
Fulham
Ruben Neves
Wolverhampton Wanderers
James Maddison
Norwich City
Forwards
Bobby Reid
Bristol City
Matej Vydra
Derby County
Albert Adomah
Aston Villa
Manager
Neil Warnock
Cardiff City
EFL Team of the Season - Sky Bet League One
Goalkeeper
David Raya
Blackburn Rovers
Defenders
Nathan Byrne
Wigan Athletic
Charlie Mulgrew
Blackburn Rovers
Dan Burn
Wigan Athletic
Omar Beckles
Shrewsbury Town
Midfielders
Graham Carey
Plymouth Argyle
Bradley Dack
Blackburn Rovers
Sam Morsy
Wigan Athletic
Jon Nolan
Shrewsbury Town
Nick Powell
Wigan Athletic
Forward
Jack Marriott
Peterborough United
Manager
Paul Hurst
Shrewsbury Town
EFL Team of the Season - Sky Bet League Two
Goalkeeper
Lee Burge
Coventry City
Defenders
Dan Potts
Luton Town
Alan Sheehan
Luton Town
Jordan Willis
Coventry City
Jack Stacey
Luton Town
Midfielders
Michael Bostwick
Lincoln City
Luke Berry
Luton Town
Sean McConville
Accrington Stanley
Forwards
Adebayo Akinfenwa
Wycombe Wanderers
Danny Hylton
Luton Town
Billy Kee
Accrington Stanley
Manager
John Coleman
Accrington Stanley
Please note that loan players are not eligible for Player or Team of the Season awards.