The English Football League (EFL) has announced shortlists across 12 different categories to celebrate the EFL’s highest achieving clubs, players, managers and fans during the 2017-18 season.
Nine apprentice players are among those honoured at the thirteenth annual EFL Awards ceremony, which will take place on Sunday 15th April 2018 at the London Hilton on Park Lane.
This award recognises the outstanding young professionals at EFL Clubs who excel both on and off the pitch, with five of the nominees featuring in LFE’s ‘The 11’ during their apprenticeship.
Sponsored by LFE, one apprentice will be chosen from each division:
LFE Apprentice of the Year – Championship
- Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham)
- Danny Loader (Reading)
- Alex Hunt (Sheffield Wednesday)
LFE Apprentice of the Year – League One
- Anthony Hartigan (AFC Wimbledon)
- Lewis Freestone (Peterborough United)
- Dru Yearwood (Southend United)
LFE Apprentice of the Year – League Two
- George Lloyd (Cheltenham Town)
- Jordan Ponticelli (Coventry City)
- Ben Wilmot (Stevenage)
Elsewhere, thirteen former apprentices are also shortlisted for awards, although it is 17-year-old Sessegnon who steals the show with four nominations.
The list of awards involving apprentices past and present are as follows:
Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season
- Tom Cairney (Fulham – formerly of Hull City)
- Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham)
Sky Bet League One Player of the Season
- Bradley Dack (Blackburn Rovers – formerly of Gillingham)
- Jack Marriott (Peterborough United – formerly of Ipswich Town)
- Nick Powell (Wigan Athletic – formerly of Crewe Alexandra)
Sky Bet League Two Player of the Season
- Billy Kee (Accrington Stanley – formerly of Leicester City)
EA Sports Young Player of the Season
- Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham)
- James Maddison (Norwich City – formerly of Coventry City)
Mitre Goal of the Year
- Aiden O’Brien (Millwall)
- Adam Reach (Sheffield Wednesday – formerly of Middlesbrough)
EFL Team of the Season – Sky Bet Championship
- Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham)
- Tom Cairney (Fulham – formerly of Hull City)
- James Maddison (Norwich City – formerly of Coventry City)
- Bobby Reid (Bristol City)
EFL Team of the Season – Sky Bet League One
- Dan Burn (Wigan Athletic – formerly of Darlington)
- Omar Beckles (Shrewsbury Town – formerly of Millwall)
- Bradley Dack (Blackburn Rovers – formerly of Gillingham)
- Nick Powell (Wigan Athletic – formerly of Crewe Alexandra)
- Jack Marriott (Peterborough United – formerly of Ipswich Town)
EFL Team of the Season – Sky Bet League Two
- Lee Burge (Coventry City)
- Jordan Willis (Coventry City)
- Billy Kee (Accrington Stanley – Leicester City)
