London’s footballing finest will be out in force on Thursday 28 February, at the much anticipated 2019 London Football Awards.
Some of the biggest names in the sport will be vying for the top awards. Tottenham’s Harry Kane MBE, Chelsea winger Eden Hazard and Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are all nominated, with nine awards up for grabs during the prestigious event.
Independently judged by key figures across the game in the capital plus members of the media, the annual awards celebrate the very best of football in London over the course of a season.
The cream of the capital’s football crop will be in attendance for this fifth London Football Awards. Among the honours being contested are Manager, Player and Young Player of the Year, as well as Women’s Player and Community Project of the Year being in the spotlight. New for this year is The FA ‘For All’ Award, recognising grassroots projects linked to a London County FA.
Competition for the Awards will be keenly contested, the city’s biggest clubs and players will be duking it out among some shining lights from the Championship, League One and Two for honours. It will be a celebration of London’s footballing achievements, and a chance for some to achieve recognition for their brilliance during the season.
The London Football Awards raises funds for national charity Willow, set up by former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson OBE and his wife Megs, in memory of their daughter Anna. Bob announced the nominees on 28 January, saying
“The London Football Awards have become a landmark event in their own right. It’s a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the skills of our nominees, as well as the outstanding community work achieved by the clubs and County FA’s. It’s been a dramatic and exciting season for all the capital’s clubs and it’s refreshing to see names from some second and third tier league teams vying for awards against the usual Premiership heavyweights. I’m looking forward to celebrating the best of London’s football with friends and colleagues.”
Since the first London Football Awards in 2015, the likes of Arsene Wenger OBE, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Ian Wright MBE have attended and picked up the Outstanding Contribution to London Football Award. This year, Tottenham and England legend Glenn Hoddle will be the next icon receiving this illustrious accolade.
A host of footballing legends, past and present are expected to attend the evening to celebrate a season of London’s football at the immense Battersea Evolution. Past winners including N’Golo Kante, Hugo Lloris, Dele Alli, Roy Hodgson, Antonio Conte and Jordan Nobbs have enjoyed the spectacle whilst being presented their trophies by the likes of David Ginola, Harry Rednapp, Gary Mabbutt, Sol Campbell and Sir Geoff Hurst.
Premier League Player of the Year (sponsored by Toscafund) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Arsenal Eden Hazard – Chelsea Harry Kane MBE – Tottenham Hotspur Heung-Min Son – Tottenham Hotspur Andros Townsend – Crystal Palace
| Manager of the Year (sponsored by BH2) Lee Bowyer – Charlton Athletic Javi Gracia – Watford Joe Montemurro – Arsenal Women Mauricio Pochettino – Tottenham Hotspur Maurizio Sarri – Chelsea
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EFL Player of the Year
Luke Freeman – Queens Park Rangers Karlan Grant – Charlton Athletic Lee Gregory – Millwall Neal Maupay – Brentford Lyle Taylor – Charlton Athletic
| Goalkeeper of the Year (sponsored by Multiplex) Kepa Arrizabalaga – Chelsea Łukasz Fabiański – West Ham United Ben Foster – Watford Joe Lumley – Queens Park Rangers Dillon Phillips – Charlton Athletic
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Women’s Player of the Year (sponsored by Computacenter) Erin Cuthbert – Chelsea Women Rianna Dean – Tottenham Hotspur Ladies Vivianne Miedema– Arsenal Women Jordan Nobbs – Arsenal Women Ji So-Yun– Chelsea Women
| Young Player of the Year (under-21) (sponsored by Zeus Capital) Eberechi Eze – Queens Park Rangers Karlan Grant – Charlton Athletic Mattéo Guendouzi – Arsenal Declan Rice – West Ham United Aaron Wan-Bissaka – Crystal Palace
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Community Project of the Year (sponsored by the Evening Standard) Arsenal in the Community – Drawn Out Brentford FC Community Sports Trust – Ambassadors Project Chelsea Foundation – Say No To Antisemitism
The FA ‘For All’ Award (Sponsored by The Football Association) Essex County FA – Muslimah Sports Association London County FA – St. Matthews Project Surrey County FA – Inclusive Schools League | |
For ticket prices and table packages, including Legend Tables, visit www.londonfootballawards.org or email events@willowfoundation.org.uk
By Dan Betts, UpTheArsenal.com
