Women's Super League reveal awards shortlist
Friday 31 October 2014 19:14, UK
Birmingham City’s Karen Carney, Notts County’s Jess Clarke and Chelsea’s Ji So Yun have been nominated for FA WSL 1 Players’ Player of the Year.
The winner will be confirmed at the FA Women’s Football Awards next month.
Millie Bright (Doncaster Rovers Belles), Fran Kirby (Reading) and Beth Mead (Sunderland) have been shortlisted for the FA WSL 2 award.
Liverpool, who won FA WSL 1 on the final day of the season, have Matt Beard nominated for Manager of the Year, alongside Birmingham City’s David Parker and former Reading boss Jayne Ludlow, who has recently taken charge of the Welsh national team.
Other awards being confirmed on the night will include Club of the Year, which was won by Bristol Academy last term, the 'Love Football Play Football' participation award and Outstanding Contribution to Women’s Football.
James Marrs (formerly Gillingham, now Brighton & Hove Albion), Helen Mitchell (Sheffield FC) and Craig Nicholls (Coventry) all shortlisted for Manager of the Year.
Katie Brazier, FA head of women’s leagues and competitions, said: “It has been a fantastic year for women’s football and the awards will celebrate the best of the game.
“There have been some real highlights such as the introduction of FA WSL 2, the final day title race drama in both divisions and the fact that attendances in FA WSL 1 have gone up 30 per cent on average compared to last season.
“The newly structured FA WPL is also off to a great start and the awards will really showcase just how far the domestic game has come.”
The awards take place nine days before England’s historic match against Germany at Wembley Stadium connected by EE on Sunday 23 November.
Nominations
FA WSL Manager of the Year: Matt Beard (Liverpool), Jayne Ludlow (Reading), David Parker (Birmingham City)
FA WPL Manager of the Year: James Marrs (Gillingham), Helen Mitchell (Sheffield FC), Craig Nicholls (Coventry City)
Goal of the Season: Dunia Susi (Notts County v Aston Villa, 30 April), Natasha Dowie (Liverpool v Sunderland, 3 May), Natasha Flint (Chelsea v Manchester City, 20 July), Jordan Nobbs (Manchester City v Arsenal, 24 August), Leah Williamson (Arsenal v Chelsea, 4 September), Toni Duggan (Manchester City v Chelsea, 12 October)
Players’ Player of the Year: FA WSL 1: Karen Carney (Birmingham City), Jess Clarke (Notts County), Ji So Yun (Chelsea). FA WSL 2: Millie Bright (Doncaster Rovers Belles), Fran Kirby (Reading), Beth Mead (Sunderland)
FA WSL Development League: Natasha Baptiste (Aston Villa), Carla Humphrey (Arsenal), Katie Zelem (Liverpool)
FA WPL Players’ Player of the Year: Charlotte Gurr (Gillingham), Jodie Michalska (Sheffield FC), Sam Pittuck (Charlton Athletic), Lucy Quinn (Portsmouth)
FA WSL Club of the Year: Liverpool, Yeovil Town
FA WPL Club of the Year: Derby County, Sheffield FC, Tottenham Hotspur
Outstanding Contribution to Women’s Football Nominees: Julie Higgins, Sheila Rollinson, Tom Stack
