Three current and two former apprentices received individual recognition at Sunday’s 2025 EFL Awards in London.
Sunderland AFC midfielder and second-year apprentice Chris Rigg was named Championship Apprentice of the Season following a sublime campaign on a personal level which has seen him rack up over 40 league appearances for the promotion chasing Black Cats. After collecting his award, Rigg told LFE: “I’m buzzing, it’s obviously nice to pick up accolades throughout the season. It’s been a good season for us and hopefully we can go one more.“
The attacking midfielder was full of praise for his teammates and credited them for his individual achievements. “It’s the team. It sounds like a very generic answer but they have helped me a lot individually and as a team I think we’ve been very good collectively on and off the pitch, that’s why we are where we are.”
In League One, Jake Richards of Exeter City claimed the second of three Apprentice of the Season Awards and told LFE commitment and confidence were the two keys to his breakthrough season with the Grecians. “I commit to everything I do, on and off the pitch, but also I’m confident in whatever scenario I get put into. If you get an opportunity at any club you have to grab it with both hands and I think I’ve done that.”
Meanwhile Port Vale’s Jack Shorrock’s progression this year was rewarded with the League Two Apprentice of the Season Award. The left-footed midfielder has accumulated nearly 20 outings for the Valiants in which has been a memorable year for Darren Moore’s side, having achieved promotion back to League One. Speaking to LFE, Shorrock said: “I feel like I’ve just been consistent, working and training everyday, also being humble and staying my age as I’m still a kid. The lads and the gaffer have given me the perfect environment to showcase my talent.”
Touching on Vale’s promotion, Shorrock added: “It was a great feeling yesterday. It’s a tough place to go Wimbledon and to secure promotion with a game to spare was amazing.”
Elsewhere, two former apprentices picked up other awards on the night. Nathan Lowe of Stoke City was named EFL League Two Young Player of the Season following his magnificent loan spell at Walsall during the first half of the campaign. “I’m really happy,” Lowe told LFE. “I’m glad to come away with this award and I’m grateful to whoever has voted for me. My family is proud and that’s the main thing for me.”
Former Birmingham City apprentice, now of Sunderland AFC’s Jobe Bellingham went home with the EFL Championship Young Player of the Season.
