Dickie eyeing the top six with City next season

game. You saw it against Rotherham, against a couple of lads who are a real handful, and he gives us that platform to go and play because he dominates aerially.

“It’s quite rare you get someone who can do that who then has the quality he has on the ball. You only have to see a couple that he slides through to Twiney (Scott Twine); the feel on it, the awareness, the bravery to do it.

“I think he’s also got better. I remember early on, there was one game where he gave me a bit of a heart attack, but he’s progressed, he’s really clear with the pictures, he’s in a really good place and I still think he could get better.

“I sat with him this week and had a chat and I think he can still improve, and that’s how we work: whatever your level, keep chasing improvement, and he’s exactly what you want in a pro, so thoroughly deserved.”

Dickie follows Alex Scott, Andi Weimann and Dan Bentley as recent winners of the Player of the Year accolade, and is the first defender to claim it since Adam Webster in 2019.

“I’m really happy, really proud, and it means a lot to me that the fans appreciate the season that I’ve had,” Dickie said. “I’m personally pleased, but I’m looking forward to kicking on next season. I think I can do more, personally, and also as a team. We need to really knuckle down and kick on and be looking to the top six.”

Conway scooped the Young Player of the Year award. The 21-year-old has matched his goal tally from last season with one more game to play.

The Taunton-born forward’s goal at West Ham in the FA Cup third round was also named Champagne Moment.

League Two outfit Gillingham have parted company with head coach Stephen Clemence after just six months in charge.

The Gills, who finished 12th in the table, said in a statement that results have “not met the standards and expectations set by the club”.

“The board believe a change is necessary to give the club the best possible chance of promotion next season,” the statement said.

Clemence, 46, was appointed in November with the club eighth in the division. He won 12 of his 34 games in charge.