With only the Play-Offs left to play, we've come to the end of another npower League 1 season and now it is time to reward last month’s standout performers, both in the dugout and on the pitch.
Football League sponsors npower are proud to reveal the nominations for both the npower League 1 Manager and Player of the Month Awards for April. The winners will be announced on Friday 17th May, with the final decision being made by two separate Football League judging panels.
The Manager of the Month award is decided by former Charlton Athletic manager Alan Curbishley, Football League Chief Operating Officer Andy Williamson, League Managers Association Deputy CEO Olaf Dixon and Katy Thomas, npower Partnerships and Sponsorships Manager. The Player of the Month panel sees Katy Thomas joined by Wolves legend Don Goodman, BBC Sport’s Mark Clemmit and The Football League’s Head of Communications, John Nagle.
The nominations for the npower League 1 Manager of the Month Award for April are:
Brian Flynn – Doncaster Rovers
Brian Flynn's Doncaster Rovers won the npower League 1 title in the most dramatic of fashions at Brentford, but it was all set up by strong month throughout a busy month. Rovers played six games, winning four, and now have all summer to look forward to life in the Championship.
Eddie Howe – AFC Bournemouth
Though they may be disappointed to have missed out on the npower League 1 title, Eddie Howe's men had another month to remember, winning four and drawing just the once to ensure a near perfect finish to the season. Like Brian Flynn and Doncaster Rovers, Bournemouth can now look forward to playing in the Championship next year.
Gary Johnson – Yeovil Town
Gary Johnson's Yeovil Town face Brentford in the npower League 1 Play-Off Final this weekend, but it was another solid run of form that helped get them there. 12 points from a possible 18 shows why The Glovers have been in contention and will now be hoping to seal promotion at Wembley.
The nominations for the npower League 1 Player of the Month Award for April are:
Harry Arter (AFC Bournemouth) – midfielder
A tireless worker in midfield as Bournemouth gained 13 points from 15 in April. His ability to slip imaginative passes in to others was pivotal as was the forward run and neat finish for the goal which clinched promotion in the 3-1 home win over Carlisle United.
Matt Smith (Oldham Athletic) – striker
The tall forward only played in five of his side’s eight games in April but what a contribution he made, scoring the only goal in the victories over Bury and Yeovil Town, and then a thunderous opener in the win over Crawley Town which secured Oldham’s safety.
Romain Vincelot (Leyton Orient) - central defender
The cultured midfielder was thrust into the back four because of injuries to the regular centre-backs and took to it in style, bringing his game-reading attributes, timing of headers and vision to pick a pass to the role as Leyton Orient made a late play-off push.