Paul Huntington and Daniel Johnson are in the running for accolades at the upcoming MBNA North-West Football Awards.
Central defender Huntington capped off a fantastic season by adding the club’s Player of the Year award to his Preston Supporters Group gong – and now he has the chance to add the League One Player of the Year Award to that collection.
Hunts was a rock at the heart of the PNE defence after returning to the league side at Gillingham in October – marking his comeback with a goal that night.
And an outstanding personal season ended for Huntington with the highest of highs, a goal at Wembley as North End clinched promotion to the Championship against Swindon Town.
That was Huntington’s ninth goal of the campaign – an incredible tally for a centre half.
By winning the North-West award, the PNE No.23 would be following in the footsteps of teammate Joe Garner who claimed the accolade in 2014.
In the ‘Rising Star’ category, North End’s January acquisition Daniel Johnson is in the running.
The former Villa man, signed by Simon Grayson for £50,000, made his North End debut in a 2-1 defeat away at Crawley Town on the final day of January – a defeat which was to be the Lilywhites’ last in Sky Bet League One action for three months; Johnson’s arrival playing a big part in that as he contributed eight goals.
And with a promotion medal now under his belt, the Jamaican will be looking to kick on in his inaugural season as a Championship footballer.
Voting for the Player of the Year and Rising Star categories is open until Friday, 16th October. Fans can cast their votes at www.northwestfootballawards.com/voting
So get behind Paul and Daniel by voting now!
The full list of nominations is:
Club Player of the Year Rising Star
Premier League
Burnley: Tom Heaton N/A
Everton: Phil Jagielka Brendan Galloway
Liverpool: Philippe Coutinho Raheem Sterling
Manchester City: Sergio Aguero Angelino
Manchester United: David De Gea Axel Tuanzebe
Championship
Blackburn Rovers: Markus Olsson Ryan Nyambe
Blackpool: N/A Henry Cameron
Bolton Wanderers: Tim Ream Zach Clough
Wigan Athletic: Jason Pearce Tim Chow
League One
Crewe Alexandra: Ben Garratt James Jones
Fleetwood Town: Chris Maxwell N/A
Oldham Athletic: Mike Jones Carl Winchester
Preston North End: Paul Huntington Daniel Johnson
Rochdale AFC: Ian Henderson Jamie Allen
League Two
Accrington Stanley: Piero Mingoia Josh Windass
Bury: Nathan Cameron Danny Rose
Carlisle United: Danny Grainger Patrick Brough
Morecambe: Shaun Beesley Paul Mullin
Tranmere Rovers: Max Power Michael Ihiekwe
National League (then Conference)
Altrincham: Tom Marshall James Lawrie
Chester: Ben Heneghan Ben Heneghan
Macclesfield Town: George Pilkington Daniel Cowan
Southport: Luke Foster Charlie Joyce
Female Player of Year Rising Star
Premier League
Everton: Gabby George Gabby George
Liverpool: Fara Williams Maz Pacheco
Manchester City: Jill Scott Nikita Parris
Hunts was a rock at the heart of the PNE defence after returning to the league side at Gillingham in October – marking his comeback with a goal that night.
And an outstanding personal season ended for Huntington with the highest of highs, a goal at Wembley as North End clinched promotion to the Championship against Swindon Town.
That was Huntington’s ninth goal of the campaign – an incredible tally for a centre half.
By winning the North-West award, the PNE No.23 would be following in the footsteps of teammate Joe Garner who claimed the accolade in 2014.
In the ‘Rising Star’ category, North End’s January acquisition Daniel Johnson is in the running.
The former Villa man, signed by Simon Grayson for £50,000, made his North End debut in a 2-1 defeat away at Crawley Town on the final day of January – a defeat which was to be the Lilywhites’ last in Sky Bet League One action for three months; Johnson’s arrival playing a big part in that as he contributed eight goals.
And with a promotion medal now under his belt, the Jamaican will be looking to kick on in his inaugural season as a Championship footballer.
Voting for the Player of the Year and Rising Star categories is open until Friday, 16th October. Fans can cast their votes at www.northwestfootballawards.com/voting
So get behind Paul and Daniel by voting now!
The full list of nominations is:
Club Player of the Year Rising Star
Premier League
Burnley: Tom Heaton N/A
Everton: Phil Jagielka Brendan Galloway
Liverpool: Philippe Coutinho Raheem Sterling
Manchester City: Sergio Aguero Angelino
Manchester United: David De Gea Axel Tuanzebe
Championship
Blackburn Rovers: Markus Olsson Ryan Nyambe
Blackpool: N/A Henry Cameron
Bolton Wanderers: Tim Ream Zach Clough
Wigan Athletic: Jason Pearce Tim Chow
League One
Crewe Alexandra: Ben Garratt James Jones
Fleetwood Town: Chris Maxwell N/A
Oldham Athletic: Mike Jones Carl Winchester
Preston North End: Paul Huntington Daniel Johnson
Rochdale AFC: Ian Henderson Jamie Allen
League Two
Accrington Stanley: Piero Mingoia Josh Windass
Bury: Nathan Cameron Danny Rose
Carlisle United: Danny Grainger Patrick Brough
Morecambe: Shaun Beesley Paul Mullin
Tranmere Rovers: Max Power Michael Ihiekwe
National League (then Conference)
Altrincham: Tom Marshall James Lawrie
Chester: Ben Heneghan Ben Heneghan
Macclesfield Town: George Pilkington Daniel Cowan
Southport: Luke Foster Charlie Joyce
Female Player of Year Rising Star
Premier League
Everton: Gabby George Gabby George
Liverpool: Fara Williams Maz Pacheco
Manchester City: Jill Scott Nikita Parris