Charlton Athletic’s Joe Gomez hailed his nomination for the LFE Championship Apprentice of the Year Award as a “great experience” despite losing out to Leeds midfielder Lewis Cook.
Centre-back Gomez has made 23 senior appearances for the Addicks this term and attended the Football League Awards dinner alongside his parents and Charlton CEO Katrien Meire, as well as Academy Manager Steve Avory, Professional Development Lead Phase Coach (U17-U18) Sergei Baltacha and Head of Academy Education and Welfare Joe Francis.
While the award would have capped off a fine season, the 17-year-old was proud to have made the 3-man shortlist.
“It was a great experience just to come to such a prestigious event like this,” Gomez said. “It’s nice that my parents could come along too and be involved and I’m sure they’ll be proud.”
“I know Lewis from playing with him for England and he deserved to win so congratulations to him,” he added.
“It’s been a great experience for me and it’s nothing I would have expected when I began to be involved in the first team in pre-season.”
“I’ve enjoyed it and I look forward to pushing on and using that experience to build for my future. There’s still a lot of hard work for me to do.”