Leighton Baines: The Undisputed King of Goodison Park for 2011
Leighton Baines rounded off a memorable season in style last night, bagging three accolades at Everton’s Annual End of Season Awards. It was the sixth time Everton have organised this prestigious awards dinner, held at the BT Convention Centre on Liverpool’s waterfront.
The evening was well attended by Everton squad members, club staff, supporters and former Everton players. As well as your typical player awards being handed out, over the years, the ceremony has incorporated unique awards, such as the Everton Giant and the Charmain's Blueblood Award. One of the more memorable moments of the evening was seeing Duncan Ferguson presented with the award for Everton Giant, whilst Leon Osman and David Moyes were the recipients of the Blueblood Award.
So, to the Everton FC player awards...
Academy Player of the Season: Jake Bidwell
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Jake Bidwell was rightly honoured with Academy Player of the Season after an impressive campaign. Bidwell captained the Everton Under-18s to one of the best academy seasons Everton have seen for a number of years.
After winning their league, the season culminated with victory over Fulham in the FA Premier Academy League Final (see http://bit.ly/lUvU2U), giving Bidwell’s team the reputation of being this year’s leading academy side.
He said:
"I'm really pleased to win but more importantly the lads won the league last week and they deserve all the credit. It's been a great season for us."
(Quote taken from Evertonfc.com http://bit.ly/ikt4jT)
Previous winners:
2010: Adam Davies
2009: James McCarten
2008: Jack Rodwell
2007: Shaun Densmore
2006: Scott Phelan
Reserve Team Player of the Season: Jose Baxter
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Jose Baxter enjoyed a strong season for Everton Reserves. Continually a creative influence on games, he frequently carved out openings for his teammates, and scored four goals.
Baxter made his debut for Everton’s first team at just 16 years and 191 days (the youngest ever Everton player to start a game). Although many fans, as well as possibly the player himself, may feel slightly frustrated that he has seen limited first-team action since then, one must remember he is still only 19 years old. With the right application, he has the talent to impose himself on Everton‘s first team in the not too distant future.
He said:
"It's been a great season with lots of good players coming through, so I'm really privileged to have won this. I'm thrilled."
(Quote taken from Evertonfc.com http://bit.ly/ikt4jT)
Previous winners:
2010: Shane Duffy
2009: Kieran Agard
2008: John Irving
2007: John Irving
2006: Victor Anichebe
Goal of the Season: Leighton Baines (vs. Chelsea)
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Leighton Baines scooped up the first of his treble, as he narrowly pipped Diniyar Bilyaletdinov‘s rocket of an effort against Wolves, for goal of the season.
The mesmeric free-kick was scored in the FA Cup, against Chelsea, with the last kick of the game. The goal sent the match to penalties and consequently Everton progressed, knocking out Chelsea.
He said:
"I didn't really feel any pressure because it was like a free hit—I had nothing to lose. Afterwards though, when everyone came running up to me, I felt like I was floating."
(Quote taken from Evertonfc.com http://bit.ly/ikt4jT)
Previous winners:
2010: Diniyar Bilyaletdinov (vs. Manchester United)
2009: Dan Gosling (vs. Liverpool)
2008: Leon Osman (vs. Larissa)
2007: James McFadden (vs. Charlton)
2006: James Beattie (vs. Fulham)
Young Player of the Season (and Shareholders' YPotS): Seamus Coleman
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Irishman Seamus Coleman was the recipient of the Young Player of the Season award, richly deserved, after an impressive first year in Everton’s starting XI. The right back, who has mostly plied his trade at right midfield this term, has terrorised many Premier League left backs, and contributed six goals this season.
The award recognises Coleman’s acute rise in the game—just over two years ago he was playing for Sligo Rovers in the League of Ireland. He is now an important first-team player at Everton, and an Irish international. With his career having taken such an upward curve so quickly, he should become an integral part of Everton's plans over the next few seasons.
He said:
"I'm shocked. I didn't think I'd be at Everton two years ago, let alone winning this award. I'm delighted."
(Quote taken from Evertonfc.com http://bit.ly/ikt4jT)
Previous winners:
2010: Jack Rodwell
2009: Marouane Fellaini
2008: Victor Anichebe
2007: James Vaughan
2006: James McFadden
Players’ Player of the Season: Leighton Baines
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Baines captured his second award of the night, the Players’ Player of the Year Award. It is the second time in as many years he has received this award, and it demonstrates the high esteem he is held in by his peers at Everton.
It is not surprising he has been voted for by his teammates, given the opportunities he has been supplying all of them with throughout year. The 26-year-old provided 11 Premier League assists this season, a total surpassed by only Nani, Drogba and Fabregas (not bad for a defender).
He said:
"I'm honoured to win the award when there are so many great players in the squad. They're not just my teammates but my mates too."
(Quote taken from Evertonfc.com http://bit.ly/ikt4jT)
Previous winners:
2010: Leighton Baines
2009: Phil Jagielka
2008: Joleon Lescott
2007: Joleon Lescott
2006: Mikel Arteta
Player of the Season: Leighton Baines
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Finally, Baines rounded off the evening by collecting the most notable award; the one voted for by Everton supporters. Most fans had been convinced he was the outstanding contender, and they were right. This award is another fitting landmark for Baines, after the year he has had.
Ever present this season, as well as providing a barrage of chances for his teammates, he recorded the best scoring season of his career. He hit the net seven times, the top tally achieved by any Premier League defender. Baines has also gone on to re-establish himself in the England squad, gaining caps against Ghana and Denmark after surprisingly failing to make the World Cup squad in 2010.
Known to be a quiet, diminutive figure, Baines quite rightly received the spotlight last night for an outstanding season in Everton colours. A pillar of strength in a team capable of brilliance at times yet, so often, have flattered to deceive this season.
He said:
"I'm a bit speechless to be honest. It's mind-blowing to have been up on stage three times tonight. I don't know what else to say really."
(Quote taken from Evertonfc.com http://bit.ly/ikt4jT)
Previous winners:
2010: Steven Pienaar
2009: Phil Jagielka
2008: Joleon Lescott
2007: Mikel Arteta
2006: Mikel Arteta
