Top prize for Curtis and he’s keen to return for Rams
BIRD IS NAMED YOUNG PLAYER OF THE SEASON
CURTIS Davies collected the Jack Stamps’ Player of the Year Award and said he wants to be at Derby County next season.
The 37-year-old defender is one of a number of first-team players out of contract this summer but new deals can only be offered when a takeover of the club is given the green light.
American businessman Chris Kirchner, who the administrators named as the preferred bidder for the club, hopes that can happen this week.
Davies has played every minute of the 45 Championship games this season.
His appearance in the victory over Blackpool last Saturday was his 150th for the club since signing from Hull City in 2017.
He received the top-player prize at the club’s End of the Season Awards night, sponsored by Mcandrew Utilities. Supporters voted for Davies, who picked up player-of-the-year awards from the Supporters’ Clubs’ and Punjabi Rams in recent weeks.
Asked if it would be nice to win the Jack Stamps’ Player of the Year Award again next season, he said: “It
would. I want to be here, I want to stay here.
“As the manager said there are some things with the players that need to be sorted out, of course, but it is poetic that my first season as a pro was winning League One with Luton Town.
“It is going to be my last season as a pro, why not win the League?”
Davies picked up his award at the club’s End of Season Awards’ dinner.
“To be appreciated by these people (the fans) who have supported us so well through the most difficult of seasons, it means a lot, and I am humbled by receiving this,” he said.
“When you go through this situation, it is easy to start making excuses - the 21 points deducted, it’s not going to happen - but no.
“Every single one of us at the training ground has come together to try and get out of this hole that we were put in.
“Unfortunately we fell short but to stand here in a season where we have been relegated and say I am proud of every single person associated with my football club speaks volumes.”
Midfielder Max Bird was named as the Sammy Crooks’ Young Player of the Season, while right-back Nathan Byrne received the Players’ Player of the Season award.
Bird has been at the club since the age of 10 and he said: “There have been a lot of young lads come through this season and every one of
them has stepped up to the plate, and any one of them could have won it.
“The senior lads have helped me a lot, I have really enjoyed it this season.”
Krystian Bielik’s acrobatic late equaliser against Birmingham City in January was selected by supporters as their Goal of the Season and Ryan Allsop’s crucial save in the 1-0 home victory over West Bromwich Albion in December was selected as the Save of the Season.
Skipper Tom Lawrence picked up the Leading Goalscorer Award for his 11 goals in all competitions to date.
In the Academy, under-18s midfielder Darren Robinson picked up the Scholar of the Year award and Harry Hawkins was named Academy Player of the Year.
The Derby County Women’s awards saw midfielder Sherry Mccue named as their Player of the Season, while their Young Player of the Season accolade went to defender Amy Sims.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Derby’s 1971-72 First Division title-winning team, while head groundsman Paul Thompson was recognised for his efforts by claiming the Brian Clough Award.