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EFL Awards 2022: Shortlists Revealed

young player of the season

Aleksandar Mitrovic, Harry Wilson and Dominic Solanke are in the running to be named Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season at the 2022 EFL Awards.

Taking place on Sunday 24 April, winners will be announced at the star-studded EFL Awards taking place at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane. 

Mitrovic’s remarkable 38 goals have fired Fulham to the top of the Championship. The Serbian has been assisted regularly by team-mate and Welsh wizard Wilson who has racked up double figures for goals and assists to lead Fulham’s charge for promotion.

Leading the line with his speed, strength and intelligence, Bournemouth’s Solanke has 24 Championship goals to his name and is also a contender.

In Sky Bet League One, midfielders Scott Twine and Barry Bannan are up against Rotherham United striker Michael Smith for the Sky Bet Player of the Season award. Twine’s 15 goals and 12 assist have helped MK Dons’ promotion push. The ability and experience of Sheffield Wednesday’s Bannan has shone through all season with an array of match-winning performances. Smith has been a consistent top performer for Rotherham United with 18 goals to his name.

In Sky Bet League Two, Forest Green Rovers have two players in contention in Kane Wilson and Matty Stevens, whilst Newport County’s goalscoring machine Dominic Telford completes the list. Wilson has combined his dribbling ability and pinpoint crossing to the tune of 13 assists whilst Steven’s goals have been a key factor in Forest Green’s excellent season. Telford scored 22 goals in 19 games in a wonderful four-month stretch.

The EFL Young Player of the Season Awards will be given out divisionally for the first time to recognise the best young talent in the League. In the Championship, Nottingham Forest duo Brennan Johnson and Djed Spence are up against Fulham’s Fabio Carvalho.

In League One, Portsmouth’s shot-stopper Gavin Bazunu makes the list. Dan Neil of Sunderland and Paddy Lane of Fleetwood Town – who signed in the summer from Hyde United four tiers below the Cod Army – will also be vying for the accolade.

Two defensive players make the shortlist in League Two, Bristol Rovers’ Connor Taylor and Shadrach Ogie of Leyton Orient. Newport County’s Finn Azaz is also nominated.

The Football Manager Teams of the Season will be announced on the night with a manager and starting XI chosen for each individual division.

Clubs will also be commended for their work off the pitch, with the Your Move Community Club of the Season set to be announced alongside the Community Project of the Season and PFA Player in the Community.

New for 2022 the EFL will also be presenting Diversity and Sustainability Awards alongside the Kin + Carta Family Club of the Season and Supporter of the Season. 

The League’s two most prestigious awards, the Contribution to League Football and Sir Tom Finney Award, will be given out on the night.

Awarded to recipients who have had an outstanding career and contributed exceptionally to the EFL, previous winners include Kevin Phillips, Rickie Lambert and Joe Thompson.

2022 EFL AWARDS SHORTLIST 

Sky Bet Championship Player of the Season

Aleksandar Mitrovic – Fulham

Dominic Solanke – Bournemouth

Harry Wilson – Fulham

Sky Bet League One Player of the Season

Barry Bannan – Sheffield Wednesday

Michael Smith – Rotherham United

Scott Twine – Milton Keynes Dons

Sky Bet League Two Player of the Season

Matty Stevens – Forest Green Rovers

Dominic Telford – Newport County

Kane Wilson – Forest Green Rovers

Championship Young Player of the Season

Fabio Carvalho – Fulham

Brennan Johnson – Nottingham Forest

Djed Spence – Nottingham Forest

League One Young Player of the Season

Gavin Bazunu – Portsmouth

Paddy Lane – Fleetwood Town

Dan Neil – Sunderland AFC

League Two Young Player of the Season

Finn Azaz – Newport County

Shadrach Ogie – Leyton Orient

Connor Taylor – Bristol Rovers

LFE Apprentice of the Season – Championship 

Ryan Howley – Coventry City

Jordan James – Birmingham City

Jevon Mills – Hull City


LFE Apprentice of the Season – League One

Freddie Draper – Lincoln City

Ayodeji Elerewe – Charlton Athletic

Michael Williams – Crewe Alexandra

LFE Apprentice of the Season – League Two 

Alex Aitken – Stevenage

Junior Tchamadeu – Colchester United

Ethan Brierley – Rochdale

Football Manager Teams of the Season

To be announced on the night

Your Move Community Club of the Season

Middlesborough – North East & Yorkshire

Blackpool – North West

Derby County – Midlands

AFC Wimbledon – London

Plymouth Argyle – South West & Wales

Milton Keynes Dons – South East & East 

One overall winner will be announced on the night

Community Project of the Season

Championship – Preston North End

League One – Burton Albion

League Two – Swindon Town

PFA Players in the Community 

Championship – Billy Mitchell, Millwall

League One – Ryan Inniss, Charlton Athletic

League Two – Omar Beckles, Leyton Orient

Kin + Carta Family Club of the Season  
Ipswich Town

Milton Keynes Dons

Sheffield United

Diversity Award

Blackburn Rovers

Exeter City

Preston North End

Environmental Sustainability Award

To be announced on the night

Supporter of the Season

Mark Crowther – Luton Town

Cath Dyer – Swansea City

Sue Taylor – Burton Albion

Sir Tom Finney Award

To be announced on the night

Contribution to League Football 

To be announced on the night 

2022 Goal of the Season

To be announced on the night