Wycombe Wanderers goalkeeper Matt Ingram has received the Football League’s Young Player of the Month for September.
The award covers players that play in all three divisions of the Sky Bet Football League.
The 20-year-old was in the last cohort of players to come through an apprenticeship at the club before Wanderers closed down the programme in 2012 citing issues around the increased staffing and financial demands of the Elite Player Performance Plan.
The young keeper who has now made 78 consecutive appearances since his debut, has been central to the Chairboys rise to second SkyBet League Two, though he was taken aback by this recognition.
“The award was a great surprise. I didn’t know anything about it until before training on Thursday,” Ingram said.
“We came up for a team meeting and the gaffer said ‘Matty’s won this award.”
“Credit it to the defenders in front of me. They’ve stayed consistent all season and I think that’s contributed to our defensive record. We’ve had the same back five since pre-season. We’re a tight-knit group and hopefully it will continue.”
Wycombe Wanderers Manager Gareth Ainsworth added: “He deserves it. He’s come in and is really making himself the number one. Some of his performances have been outstanding.”
“He’s a big lad who will come for crosses but has a knack of getting down and saving as well. What a level-headed character as well, he’s really humble.”
Commenting on the award David Wetherall, Head of Youth Development at The Football League, said: “It is not often you see goalkeepers recognised with awards like this but Matt thoroughly deserves it because his consistency has been a key factor in Wycombe’s excellent start to the season. To have such a run of consecutive appearances to his name at such a young age is testament to his ability and potential.”
