The winners of the Armstrong Projects Northwest Football Awards (NWFA) 2023 have been revealed.
More than 500 guests from across the football world attended the star studded event, hosted by broadcasters, Eilidh Barbour and Dion Dublin, at The Point at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester. Winners were crowned in a range of player categories, as well as in a raft of other honours for clubs and communities.
Following an unmatched season across European football as treble winners, Manchester City were on the receiving end of yet more silverware, painting the evening in hues of blue and white with their remarkable achievements. The club’s dominance transcended in them collecting a number of player and manager awards.
In a fan vote, over 100,000 people took to the polls to pick their favourites. After a record breaking first season in the Premier League, it was Erling Haarland who took the top accolade of Best Premier League Player with the fan vote unsurprisingly cementing him in top spot.
On the touchline, another dominating display from Pep Guardiola earned him bragging rights in the region to retain his crown of Manager of the Season.
Manchester City remained victorious in the women’s game too with Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw claiming the accolade for Women’s Player of the Season.
Plaudits for City continued as they took titles for best fan media channel with City Xtra while Natalie Pike took the prize for Northwest Football Broadcaster of the Season for her work with BBC Radio Manchester and Manchester City FC. A heartfelt moment occurred when Alex Williams MBE was presented the Lifetime Contribution Award for his ongoing commitment to the sport.
Mary Earps who has famously progressed the women’s game on and off the pitch this season was awarded with the Billy Seymour Impact Award, in association with The Offside Trust.
The Moss Championship Player of the Season was awarded to Josh Cullen following a stellar season with Burnley Football Club. The League One Player of the Season award was presented to Dion Charles for his efforts with Bolton Wanderers Football Club.
League Two Player of the Season was won by Elliot Watt of Salford City Football Club while Altrincham’s Josh Lundstram was awarded National League Player of the Season.
The Athletic Rising Star award that shines a light on future talent was picked up by Adam Mayor from Morecambe Football Club with The Athletic Women’s Rising Star being won by Missy Bo Kearns from Liverpool Football Club Women.
Laura Wolfe of the Armstrong Projects Northwest Football Awards said:
“What a night. The quality on show at this year’s awards was magnificent. The work on and off the pitch on show in the Northwest is something we are all immensely proud of and we congratulate all of our finalists. Thank you to the fans, clubs, journalists and of course our partners who get behind the awards each year. This one felt special and we look forward to championing the region again next year.”
During the night, tributes were also paid to the crucial role football clubs carry out in the community, with Everton In The Community retaining the hotly contested Community Club of the Season in association with the PFA for the Premier League and Bolton Wanderers winning the Award for clubs from all other leagues, also in association with the PFA.
As the awards continue growing in popularity and stature, more and more credibility and pride is shone on the northwest region for its football prowess. So much so that the honour of winning a Northwest Football Award is now considered an admirable honour in the Football Manager 2024 game which is released on the same night as the awards.
Armstrong Projects, Chris Hamlett said: “This was a wonderful event for the region. Championing the excellent work that clubs and players do on and off the field is so important for us. Seeing the plethora of talent on show throughout the region is wonderful to see and highlights why these awards are so special. We love being involved and would like to congratulate everyone who received an award and everyone who was part of making it all happen.”
Armstrong Projects Northwest Football Award 2023 – Full Winners List:
Manager of the Season
Pep Guardiola – Manchester City Football Club
Premier League Player of the Season
Erling Haaland – Manchester City Football Club
Women’s Player of the Season
Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw – Manchester City Women’s Football Club
The Maurice Watkins, CBE Lifetime Contribution Award
Alex Williams MBE
Billy Seymour Impact Award, in association with The Offside Trust
Mary Earps
Fabrice Muamba Award for Outstanding Service to Football Medicine & Performance, in association with the FMPA
Alan Raw
The Moss Championship Player of the Season
Josh Cullen – Burnley Football Club
League One Player of the Season
Dion Charles – Bolton Wanderers Football Club
League Two Player of the Season
Elliot Watt – Salford City Football Club
National League Player of the Season
Josh Lundstram – Altrincham Football Club
The Athletic Rising Star
Adam Mayor – Morecambe Football Club
The Athletic Women’s Rising Star
Missy Bo Kearns – Liverpool Football Club Women
Unsung Hero Award
Ted Morris – Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association
Fan Media, Channel or Podcast of the Season
City Xtra
Community Initiative of the Season (in association with the PFA)
Everton in the Community – The Blue Base Pantry
Community Club of the Season – All other Leagues (in association with the PFA)
AFC Fylde Community Foundation – Highly Commended
Bolton Wanderers in the Community
Community Club of the Season – Premier League (in association with the PFA)
Everton in the Community
Kick It Out Promoting Inclusion Award – League
Preston North End Community and Education Trust
Kick It Out Promoting Inclusion Award – Non League
Creative Football
Best Club Marketing, Sponsorship or Engagement Campaign
Burnley Football Club and Classic Football Shirts
Business and Professional Services to Football
Brabners
Northwest Football Broadcaster of the Season
Natalie Pike – BBC Radio Manchester and Manchester City FC
Northwest Football Journalist of the Season
Joe Thomas – Liverpool Echo
