On a successful night for graduates of the ASE programme, Bristol City’s Nicky Maynard collected the Mitre Goal of the Year award at the 2010 Football League Awards.
The striker’s effort against Queens Park Rangers was voted the best goal of the 2009 calendar year by attendees at the event, from a shortlist chosen by viewers of Sky Sports’ Soccer AM.
With his back towards goal, City’s top scorer took two touches before firing a scissor-kick into the top corner in the Boxing Day match at Loftus Road.
On collecting his awards, Maynard said:
“I haven’t won a lot of awards so far in my career so I’m absolutely delighted to win this. The goal was probably the best of my career and it’s great to get this sort of accolade.”
Crystal Palace full-back Nathaniel Clyne was also amongst the winners at the gala dinner at Grosvenor House, Park Lane on Sunday evening after being named FourFourTwo Young Player of the Year.
Clyne, who completed his Apprenticeship at Crystal Palace last season, has enjoyed an impressive maiden season as a professional and was the recent subject of a bid from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 18 year old defender received the award as a result of being ranked 17th in the FourFourTwo Top 50 Football League Players which was announced on the night.
This made him the highest ranked representative aged 21 or under, and as a result, the FourFourTwo Young Player of the Year for the Coca-Cola Football League, pipping Nottingham Forest’s Paul Anderson and Southampton’s Adam Lallana to the title.
Crystal Palace’s Youth Academy has long been admired, and Nathaniel Clyne is the latest gem to come off its production line.
An attacking right-back, he was handed his first-team chance last November, and so impressive were his performances that he became a mainstay of the side.
He has continued to play at the top of his game in a difficult season for the Eagles and has certainly given the Club’s fans plenty to shout about.
