IT was a triple triumph for club captain John Brayford at the Burton Albion Players’ Awards night.
The defender was the overwhelming choice for the top award of the night, the Player of the Season, with Albion fans giving him twice as many votes as runner-up Joe Powell. Brayford’s whole-hearted commitment on the pitch was also recognised by his team-mates as he scooped the Players’ Player of the Season Award.
Completing an unprecedented treble, Brayford’s leadership off the pitch was also recognised with the Player in the Community Award.
He said: "It was a proud season for me to be asked to lead the boys out there and you try and lead by example.
"To have the credit of your team mates who go out on the pitch with you week in week out is very special.
"It's been full circle for me from when I started here 17 years ago. But it's a privilege to go out there with team mates who are also your friends."
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink said "It's a great privilege to manage John. You want players you now are going to lead, and you know you are going to get a seven plus every match. Off the pitch he's the right person as well. He's self-driven and that's what you need in a captain."
A popular award on the night went to 1970s Brewers defender Phil Annable, who was the latest legend to be inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame. Fellow Hall of Famer Aaron Webster was on hand to pay tribute to Annable who was named Burton Albion Player of the Season a record four times.
Phil said: "When I used to play at Eton Park, it was different all together. It's just a fantastic club that has come a long way.
"It's great to be in the Hall of Fame - I thought after 40 years no-one would remember so it's amazing."
The women’s Player of the Season was Charlotte Jarvis, who has been the stand-out performer in a much-improved team this season.
She said: "I think it's important that the women's game gets the kind of exposure it deserves. There's a long way to go but the club is helping us greatly."
Ciaran Gilligan was Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Dino Maamria’s choice of the Most Improved Young Player after recently being handed a new two-year contract.
There was a special tribute on the night to Chairman Ben Robinson who was handed the EFL Contribution to League Football award on April 24. He received a standing ovation from the packed audience in the Albion Suite.
The Moment of the Season went to the Pirelli Stadium Vaccination Centre.
Matt Hancock, Head of Community, accepted the award and said: "We made the decision to support the people who needed us most throughout the pandemic. We never did it to win awards, or get a pat on the back. But we have shown we have credibility, good projects and amazing people. What more important time for a community organisation to stand up and make a difference."
The full list of award winners:
Burton Albion Moment of the Season
– sponsored by Babble
The Pirelli Stadium Vaccination Centre – EFL Award winners
Burton Albion Scholar of the Season 2021/22
– sponsored by Prestec
Ben Radcliffe
Burton Albion Most Improved Young Player 2021/22
– sponsored by Needwood Foods
Ciaran Gilligan
Burton Albion Award for Service and Support 2021/22
– sponsored by Trent & Dove
Gary Lote and Paul Chapman (safety officers)
Burton Albion Player in the Community 2021/22
– sponsored by Coppice Racing
John Brayford
Burton Albion Hall of Fame 2022
– sponsored by TAG
Phil Annable
Burton Albion Top Goalscorer 2021/22
– sponsored by The Smith Partnership
Daniel Jebbison
Burton Albion Goal of the Season 2021/22
– sponsored by Molson Coors
Jonny Smith v Sunderland
Burton Albion Players’ Player of the Season 2021/22
– sponsored by Raygar
John Brayford
Burton Albion Women’s Player of the Season 2021/22
– sponsored by Burton Albion Community Trust
Charlotte Jarvis
Burton Albion Player of the Season Runner-up 2021/22
– sponsored by Knott
Joe Powell
Burton Albion Player of Season 2021/22
– sponsored by GW Price
John Brayford