LONDON CALLING
A look at the prize winners from the 2018 London Football Awards
FULHAM wonderkid Ryan Sessegnon stole the show at the prestigious 2018 London Football Awards – scooping a trophy double.
The 17-year-old left winger, who is playing a big part in the Whites’ Championship promotion bid, beat four Premier League players to land the Young Player of the Year (under-23) accolade.
He got the better of Harry Winks, Davinson Sanchez (both Tottenham), Andreas Christensen (Chelsea) and Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal).
And the Fulham starlet also bagged the EFL Player of the Year prize, keeping the award in the Cottagers’ hands after midfielder Tom Cairney won it last year.
The other contenders were Brentford duo Josh Clarke and Romaine Sawyers, Millwall midfielder George Saville and QPR goalkeeper Alex Smithies.
Brentford did, however, have an award to celebrate as Dan Bentley picked up the Goalkeeper of the Year prize – and he also beat off some illustrious competition to come out on top.
Afected
The other nominees were Premier League quartet Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Adrian (West Ham) and Heurelho Gomes (Watford).
QPR were another EFL club with something to celebrate. The QPR In The Community Trust scooped the Community Project of the Year honour for #Game4Grenfell, a charity match in September to raise money for those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire.
The runners-up were AFC Wimbledon Foundation (AFC Wimbledon Women and Girls) and Brentford Community Sports Trust (The Fearless Foundation’s Journalism Project).
Tottenham striker Harry Kane was named Premier League Player of the Year, while Crystal Palace’s Roy Hodgson won the Manager of the Year gong.
Arsenal Women’s Jordan Nobbs received the Women’s Player of the Year award.
Former Arsenal and Crystal Palace striker Ian Wright picked up the Outstanding Contribution to London Football award.
The awards ceremony was hosted by BBC presenter Mark Chapman at Battersea Evolution on Thursday.
Uplifting
In their fourth year, the London Football Awards, sponsored by Toscafund, raise funds for former Arsenal goalkeeper and TV presenter Bob Wilson and his wife Megs’ charity, Willow – the only national charity working with seriously ill young adults aged 16-40, to fulfil uplifting and unforgettable special days.
Willow life president Wilson said: “Once again this season, football in London – in the Premier League, the Football League and the women’s game – has been dramatic and exciting.
“The London Football Awards is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the skills of our nominees, which we have seen on the pitches of the capital over the last few months, as well as all the outstanding community work achieved by the clubs.”
Nominees and winners of the awards were selected by an expert judging panel from the worlds of football and media, from former players to major footballing bodies and sports media.
For more about Willow, visit www.willowfoundation.org.uk