Derby County’s Jamie Hanson has become a double winner after scooping LFE’s April Goal of the Month and Apprentice of the Month prizes.
The 17-year-old received over 9,000 votes for his 20-yard free-kick in Derby’s 3-2 victory at Coventry – pushing Portsmouth’s South Korean midfielder, Jae Heon Kim into second spot.
The dead ball specialist, who can operate in defence or midfield, has been a regular for the Rams’ Under 18 and Under 21 teams but is yet to make his senior bow despite being named amongst Nigel Clough’s first-team substitutes on several occasions – most recently during their final day clash with Millwall at Pride Park.
Regardless of that, Clough has earmarked the player for a promising future and recently tied him to a 3-year professional deal. His progress off the pitch has been just as outstanding and he is making excellent progress towards completing his educational programme.
More recently Hanson was part of a youth-team trip to the Wyndham Academy to speak to local primary school children and his ‘terrific attitude’ is not lost on the club’s Academy manager Darren Wassall.
“It’s a great achievement but Jamie has had a great season,” Wassall told LFE.
“He is really dedicated to becoming a footballer and I think he’s a worthy winner of both awards. His development since joining us as an apprentice last summer has been superb – he’s been involved with the first-team a few times and he’s had a taste of what that’s like but he’s a grounded young man who takes everything in his stride.”
The self effacing Hanson added: “I had a difficult start to the season as I was out injured, but the second half of the campaign was amazing for me really.”
“Since December things managed to click for the U18s and myself, and on a personal note the biggest highlight was making the bench for the first-team.”
The youngster who is now in the frame for the Goal of the Season award which goes live later today, added:
“These awards are nice and obviously pleasing on a personal note, but I know my focus has to remain on becoming a regular in the Under 21 side next season and being involved with the first-team again.”
