SPIRIT OF SINNOTT INSPIRES WINNER CROOKS
ROTHERHAM United midfielder Matt Crooks believes his Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month award is a fitting tribute to late friend Jordan Sinnott.
Former Huddersfield midfielder Sinnott, 25, died after being attacked on a night out in January last year.
After notching three goals in January to win the monthly award, the 27-year-old said: “Obviously the award is for the month of January, a year on from Sin’s passing. I’d like to think he’s looking down on me and has given me some luck for the month and something for us all to smile about.
“We have a charity set up in his memory which we’re continuing to put a lot of work into away from football. If anyone would like to take a look or make a small donation that would be wonderful and would be greatly appreciated by all of us.
“The website is www. js25.co.uk – we’re just getting started but if anyone would like to support us, you’d be more than welcome.”
As for claiming the Player of the Month honour, Crooks remained modest.
He added “I’m delighted to win the individual award. I know it sounds a bit cliche but I’d like to thank the staff and all of the lads for putting together a good set of results and performances that have allowed me to produce the form that I have over the last month or so.”
Swansea boss Steve Cooper claimed the manager prize after his side picked up ten points from four unbeaten games.
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “Swansea are set to be right in the mix for automatic promotion if they can maintain this consistency. If they do, they’ll reflect on the month of January as being very significant.”