Tips

News

Predictions

Blogs

Videos

Quizzes

Betting Sites

EFL Championship End of Season Awards
Blogs

EFL Championship End of Season Awards

Who has shone in the world's greatest league?

The EFL Championship season came to a close yesterday, and while the playoffs are still to come, for many teams, the 46-game campaign is over. This year was one of the most exciting yet, with the title, playoff and relegation battle all being decided on the last day. As is normally the case come May, end-of-season awards are now being handed out with multiple up for grabs. Football Park takes a look at the categories and who the lead recipient is in each.

Player of the Season - Gustavo Hamer

Borja Sainz arguably would have had his name engraved in this award had he kept up his outstanding form over the first few months of the season. The Spanish winger had 15 goals by the end of November, but only added three to that tally in the preceding six months.

Joel Piroe finished with the most goal contributions, the forward scored 19 in the league meaning that he also claimed the golden boot. The Dutchman will finally be able to test himself in the Premier League after Leeds United’s title-winning season, and his fine finishing provides him with a strong case for player of the year.

James Trafford received an understandable nomination. The 22-year-old goalkeeper had a tough first season in the Premier League; however this season alone, Trafford has won the Golden Glove, January Player of the Month and was included in the Championship Team of the Season. Part of the best defence the Championship has ever seen, Trafford conceded 16 goals and kept 29 clean sheets, including 12 in a row between December and February.

Other players that contributed hugely to their team's success include Josh Brownhill, Finn Azaz and Daniel James, but the EFL officially handed the award to Sheffield United’s Gustavo Hamer. Hamer’s inclusion proves that the award is about more than statistics, the midfielder scored nine and assisted seven this season and was integral in making Chris Wilder’s Blades midfield flow.

When Sheffield United faced Premier League relegation last season, Hamer shone, showing glimpses of the top-flight star he could be. His 6.3 progressive passes per 90 and 73 tackles + interceptions this season prove that he is useful all over the pitch and should be playing in the Premier League next season, whether that is with Sheffield United or not.

Young Player of the Season - Jobe Bellingham

Following in his brother's footsteps, Jobe Bellingham picked up the YPOTS award, an achievement that many claimed was partially influenced by his name. That isn’t completely true though, Bellingham has played the majority of Sunderland’s fixtures this season, aged 19 and has racked up impressive stats such as his 221 ball recoveries or his 105 shot-creating actions across the campaign.

Bellingham’s Sunderland counterpart Chris Rigg played over 3000 Championship minutes this season, an outstanding achievement for someone of his age. At 17 years of age, the midfielder has plenty of time to pick up this accolade in future years. Rigg was instead handed the Championship Apprentice of the Season, a fitting award.

Back to Burnley and their defensive brilliance, CJ Egan-Riley was a huge part of Scott Parker’s defence. The Manchester City academy graduate's first full season in senior English football couldn’t have gone better with a 91.9% tackle success rate and a promotion to show for it.

Manager of the Season - Scott Parker

Scott Parker deservedly took home the Manager of the Season award recently. Only six teams had reached the 100-point mark in the Championship before Leeds and Burnley did last weekend, so realistically, both Parker and Daniel Farke should share the award. However, Parker's Burnley not only broke defensive records but are also on a 33-game unbeaten streak, the longest the second tier has seen. Parker has had some rough spells at Bournemouth in the Premier League and Club Brugge, so the 2024/25 campaign has been a perfect way for him to regain confidence as a manager.

Plaudits should also go to Regis Le Bris, who took a Sunderland side who finished 16th last season to a promotion fight this year. Liam Manning also took a Bristol City squad who could not escape the mid-table to their first Championship appearance since 2007/08. If Coventry City don’t achieve promotion, Frank Lampard might have the chance to bag the award next year if he keeps building the Sky Blues side that have looked so promising under his reign.

Signing of the Season - Ao Tanaka

Once again, an abundance of individuals could be named for this award. Michael Cooper was a shrewd signing for Sheffield United. The Blades finally look like they have a keeper for the long term between the sticks as well as someone who deserves a shot at the top flight, especially after he outperformed his post-shot expected goals by 6.5, showing an above-average ability to stop shots.

There were also players like Josh Murphy, whose seven goals and 14 assists changed Portsmouth’s season. Manor Solomon was certainly the loan signing of the season, and it will be interesting following the winger this summer as he decides whether to join Leeds permanently or take on the challenge at Tottenham Hotspur.

Tanaka has looked a class above the Championship in Leeds United’s midfield. A full Japanese international for 5+ years, Tanaka was signed from Fortuna Dusseldorf last summer and has chipped in with seven goal contributions, 96 shot-creating actions, an 89.2% pass completion rate and 3028 touches of the ball. All Premier League fans should look to pay attention to the midfield engine as he prepares to take on top-tier football for the first time in his career.

Goal of the Season - Mark Harris vs Blackburn Rovers

Josh Windass’ New Year's Day strike against Derby proves to be a very strong candidate for this category. The attacking midfielder’s chipped effort from inside his own half was part of a thrilling 4-2 match to begin the new year. Harris’s goal required a bit more skill to hit the ball on the volley. Everything from Matt Phillips' slight header to tee up the goal, to the way the ball curves into the net, is simply sublime.

Game of the Season - Norwich City 3-5 Portsmouth

Like the Goal of the Season, it is hard and mainly down to opinion over what the game of the season was, but this game had too many narratives to ignore. Winless in three and three points above the drop zone, Pompey travelled to Norfolk and left with five goals and three points. This victory inspired a four-game unbeaten streak to round off the season and ensure Portsmouth’s safety. It was also a warming moment for Colby Bishop, who scored a hat-trick after completing heart surgery earlier in this season. That goes without mentioning that it was the joint-highest scoring fixture of the season.

An honourable mention goes to Middlesbrough 2-3 Sunderland, an action-packed Tees-Wear Derby that was decided in the 87th minute. This match was part of a run of five defeats for Michael Carrick’s side that cost them a playoff spot, and also marked the first time the Black Cats had done the double over Boro in 63 years.

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist
James McLeish

Writer

Videos
See more
From Non-League to the AFCON Final - The Story of Kwesi Appiah
Listen to our full podcast with Kwesi Appiah as he discusses his sensational rise from non-league all the way to starting in the AFCON final.
Is it time for Luton Town to make THE DECISION?!
Watch out latest edition of EFL Hot Takes as the lads give their opinion on the Rob Edwards situation at Luton Town.
WHO is in our Championship TEAM OF THE SEASON so far?!
Find out how we would put in our Championship Team of the Season so far on YouTube as we approach the busy period.

Join our newsletter

Become a part of our community and never miss an update from Football Park.