Jags sweeps the board at end of season awards

Everton captain Phil Jagielka scooped a hat-trick of awards at the club’s end of season awards dinner at St George's Hall in Liverpool.

Jagielka picked up Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year and goal of the season for his strike against Liverpool last September.

It is deserved recognition for the 29-year-old who recovered from a post-World Cup slump to rediscover his form at the heart of the Everton defence in the second half of the campaign.

Goal of the season was decided by public vote and a whopping 91% of Evertonians chose Jags’ right-footed howitzer that flew into the Kop net in the final minute of stoppage time to secure a draw.

Speaking after picking up his Players' Player of the Year award, Jagielka said:

"Obviously it is very special to be voted for by the lads who I train with every day and play alongside every weekend.

"I have played pretty much every game this season. It has been up and down at times, but it is nice to know that my team-mates think I deserve this accolade."

There is no denying that Jagielka had little competition in what has been a disappointing season overall, but Romelu Lukaku and James McCarthy can count themselves unlucky to end the night empty handed.

Jags’ defensive partner John Stones picked up the Young Player of the Year award – the first of many individual awards he is destined to pick up in his career.

Brendan Galloway capped a fine week that also saw him make his senior debut by picking up the Under-21 Player of the season award. Harry Charsley won the U18 Player of the season award while former defender Mick Lyons – who made more than 450 appearances for the club in the 1970s – was inducted into Everton’s Hall of Fame.

Howard Kendall was the joint-recipient of the award also bearing his name – the late Philip Carter, Everton’s former chairman who died aged 87 last month, the other joint winner of this year’s Howard Kendall award.

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has been ill of late and was unable to attend the awards dinner. He was well enough though to send a video message thanking the players for their efforts this season.

He also announced the winner of this year’s Blueblood award – the one and only Duncan Ferguson. Speaking after receiving his award, Ferguson said:

"It's absolutely fantastic. I am still in a bit of shock. I was listening to the chairman's speech and it was very emotional.

"The chairman has been a fan of this Club since day one. When you have a man like that running the Club, it is great for everyone. He always shows his passion and love for Everton and we love him. He is one of us, the man, and it is very touching to have that man supporting you."