The EFL have announced award winners following the conclusion of the 2019-20 season, with a number of LFE apprentices past and present receiving recognition.
Seventeen-year-old sensation Jude Bellingham scooped EA Sports Young Player of the Season and LFE Championship Apprentice of the Year after his impressive debut campaign in senior football at Birmingham City, before earning a big money move to Borussia Dortmund.
The LFE League One Apprentice of the Year award went to former Rochdale youngster Luke Matheson, who rose to prominence after scoring in the Carabao Cup against Manchester United at Old Trafford and sealed a January switch to Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Northampton Town’s Scott Pollock picked up the LFE League Two Apprentice of the Year crown having featured in three different competitions, contributing to the club’s promotion to the third tier.
The teenage trio have also displayed tremendous commitment to their academic studies and been involved in community activities, which are key factors in the judgement for the honour.
Elsewhere, former Exeter City academy player Ollie Watkins claimed the prestigious Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season prize after a terrific campaign for Brentford, which saw him score 26 goals during their run to the Play-off final.
Peterborough United’s Ivan Toney (formerly of Northampton Town) top-scored in Sky Bet League One with 26 goals, leading to him securing the division’s Player of the Season award.
Meanwhile, ex-Derby County apprentice Charles Vernam was awarded Mitre Goal of the Season for his solo effort with Grimsby Town against Colchester United in February. The strike rounded off a hat-trick in a 3-2 win.
EFL Award winners:
- LFE Championship Apprentice of the Year
Jude Bellingham | Birmingham City – now Borussia Dortmund - LFE League One Apprentice of the Year
Luke Matheson | Rochdale – now Wolverhampton Wanderers - LFE League Two Apprentice of the Year
Scott Pollock | Northampton Town - EA Sports Young Player of the Season
Jude Bellingham | Birmingham City – now Borussia Dortmund - Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season
Ollie Watkins | Brentford – former Exeter City apprentice - Sky Bet League One Player of the Season
Ivan Toney | Peterborough United – former Northampton Town apprentice - Sky Bet League Town Player of the Season
Eoin Doyle | Swindon Town – now Bolton Wanderers - Mitre Goal of the Season
Charles Vernam | Burton Albion – former Derby County apprentice - PFA Championship Player in the Community
Cyrus Christie | Fulham – former Coventry City apprentice - PFA League One Player in the Community
Calvin Andrew | Rochdale - PFA League Two Player in the Community
Joel Grant | Plymouth Argyle
Due to the outbreak of Covid-19, the 2020 EFL Awards ceremony was cancelled. As in previous years, an independent judging panel selected this season’s winners.
