Fans Say 'Yes' in MBNA Northwest Football Awards

'Fergie Time' is no more but entries for the MBNA Northwest Football Awards have gone into extra time due to popular demand.

The nominations should have closed earlier this week in a cross section of categories but organisers of the annual Awards have extended the deadline.

Among the awards up for grabs are: 'community club of the year' (currently held by Everton), 'community initiative of the year' (shared jointly in 2013 by Bolton and Everton) plus 'unsung hero' popularly won last year by Chester FC loyal servant, Barrie Hipkiss.

A full list of categories can be found on the official website atwww.northwestfootballawards.com but all nominations must be in by 5pm on Friday, September 12.

However, fans who still haven't voted in a whole host of player of the year categories-shouldn't worry. They have until October 24 to help their favourite player collect a prestigious prize.

And judging by initial response it promises to be a record number of people getting involved in the online action. BBC TV presenter, Dan Walker, will host the MBNA Northwest Football Awards on November 18 at Lancashire County Cricket Club.

“Voting this year has just gone through the roof,” explained Laura Wolfe, managing director of Journey9, owners and organisers of the MBNA Northwest Football Awards. “We had to increase our voting quota within the first 24 hours.

“It's fantastic fans and their clubs get behind the Awards so well via social media, websites and match day programmes. At this rate we should see a record number of people voting in the player of the year categories.”

Liverpool's Raheem Sterling has already lit up the Premier League and the international scene in the first month of the new football campaign. Still only 19, the Jamaican born winger could become the third player from the Anfield club to collect the Premier League prize in succession to Martin Skrtel and Jamie Carragher.

But Sterling faces tough competition from Merseyside rival, Seamus Coleman, United keeper, David De Gea, and City's reigning African Footballer of the Year, Yaya Toure.

Prized guy Jordan Rhodes is already among the goals for Blackburn Rovers and the Oldham born, Scottish international is in the running for Championship player of the year.

Rhodes is up against Burnley's Danny Ings, Tim Ream of Bolton, David Perkins of Blackpool and James McArthur, formerly of Wigan but now a Crystal Palace player after signing a three-year deal earlier this month.

Bolton skipper Jay Spearing is the reigning Championship player of the season and every vote will count in what is one of the tightest voting races of the lot.

Fans can register their votes by visitingwww.northwestfootballawards.com, on Twitter:@NWFAwards or via Facebook www.fb.com/nwfawards

The full list of nominations can be found in the attached release.

Vote here: www.northwestfootballawards.com

Twitter- @NWFAwards or Facebook www.fb.com/nwfawards

The MBNA Northwest Football Awards were launched at the Lawn Club in Manchester and here are the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kixNp2WaCU8

For press information please contact Sarah or Trevor

sarah@treecommunications.co.uk (07919 886488) or

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WINNERS FROM 2013:

Community Initiative of the Year: Bolton Wanderers Community Trust, Everton in the Community-Safe Hands

Community Club of the Year: Everton in the Community; Highly Commended: Morecambe FC

CSR Campaign of the Year: Liverpool FC

Contribution to Sport in the North West: The Neville family

Best Club Marketing Campaign: Everton FC

Best Club Sponsorship Engagement/Partnership: Liverpool FC

Business Services to Football: Rippleffect

Professional Services to Football: Brabners LLP; Special Award: Mark Hovell of Mills & Reeve

Football Journalist of the Year: Mark Ogden (Telegraph)

The Fabrice Muamba Award for Medical & Sports Science Professional: Rob Swire (Manchester United Head Physio)

Rising Star of the Year: Jerome Sinclair (Liverpool FC)

Manager of the Year: Sir Alex Ferguson

Women's Player of the Year: Toni Duggan (Everton Ladies)

Player of the Year (Conference): George Horan (Chester FC)

Player of the Year (LeagueTwo): Jack Redshaw (Morecambe)

Player of the Year (League One): John Welsh (Preston North End)

Player of the Year (Championship): Jay Spearing (Bolton Wanderers)

Player of the Year (Premier League): Jamie Carragher (Liverpool FC)

Goal of the Year: To be voted on the night

Unsung Hero: Barrie Hipkiss (Chester FC)

Lifetime Contribution Award: Sir Alex Ferguson

Ends

Press Contact:

Sarah Gormley

e: sarah@treecommunications.co.uk

t: 07919886488