(Picture: Action Images)
By Kieran Theivam
Arsenal Ladies midfielder Jordan Nobbs beat off some strong competition to be crowned England Women’s Player of the Year at the FA Women’s Football Awards on Friday night.
The 23-year-old, who has developed into one of the country’s best midfielders over the last couple of years, was visibly stunned on learning the news, beating league title winners Jill Scott and Steph Houghton of Manchester City, and Chelsea’s Karen Carney to the accolade.
On receiving her award, Nobbs said: “I’m a little bit shocked to be up here to be honest, but obviously it’s an incredible achievement.
“It could have been more than four of the girls up here after the season they’ve had and the way they’ve performed in an England shirt, but it’s a very proud moment for me.”
Nobbs has been in fine fettle for her country, helping England to an unbeaten European Championship qualification period, playing a key role in a slightly deeper position to what she plays for her club.
The North-East native is now looking forward to one last match for 2016 when she and her England teammates travel to Tilburg next week to face Euro 2017 hosts the Netherlands.
She concluded by highlighting how big the year had been for her and England, but how 2017 was going to be even more important.
“It’s been an unbelievable last two years with England and we improved massively in 2016,” she added.
“It’s going to be tough at the Euros next year, but this is the most ready we’ve been for a major tournament and now is the time to prove ourselves.”
Elsewhere on the night, Chelsea Ladies midfielder Millie Bright was crowned Young England Player of the Year after a fine season that also saw her make her England debut in a 2-0 win over Belgium in September.
Manchester City Women continued to claim trophies after their league and cup double this season, winning a trio of awards with Lucy Bronze winning FA Women’s Super League One Players’ Player of the Season, Manager Nick Cushing winning FA WSL Manager of the Year, and the club claiming FA WSL 1 Club of the Year.
The FA WSL 2 Players’ Player went to Oxford United‘s Ini-Abasi Umotong, while club of the year in the division went to champions Yeovil Town Ladies.
Bristol City’s Claire Emslie won the fan-voted FA WSL Goal of the Season for a 25-yeard effort against Everton, beating some fierce competition from goals in the top division. It wasn’t all about the WSL, however, with awards also handed out to players and clubs from the Women’s Premier League.
Brighton were awarded Club of the Year, while Blackburn’s Lynda Shepherd and Shanklin’s Gemma Woodford won FA WPL Premier Division and Division One Players’ Player of the Year respectively. Middlesbrough’s Lindsey Stephenson was FA WPL Manager of the Year.
Former England head coach Hope Powell, who managed the team for 15 years and is now working within FIFA, won the final award of the night, receiving the Outstanding Contribution to Women’s Football award.
*This article originally featured in The FLP on Sunday 20th November – This is the last Women’s Football Weekly of the season. It will return for the Spring Series in Feb. 2017.
