March 30 2009

Sean Scannell with his Championship Apprentice of the Year Award

Crystal Palace's Sean Scannell has won the Championship's Apprentice of the Year Award at the 2009 Football League Awards.

The 18-year-old winger received the trophy at a gala dinner at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, on Sunday evening in front of more than 800 attendees from clubs, sponsors and the football industry.

Scannell received the honour due to the outstanding potential he has shown in football, playing both as a forward and a right winger. In January 2008 he was awarded a two-and-a-half-year professional contract by the club.

"I’m very happy to win," said Scannell. "As soon as I saw the other players I was up against, I thought it would be really hard. My main position is centre forward, but I also play on the right and I think it’s a good thing that I am able to play in different positions.

"The manager (Neil Warnock) has helped me so much, he brings the best of you in training and his individual chats help so much when you’re in a game.

"I’m injured at the moment, and will find out on Tuesday what the problem is. They think it might be a hernia, and that would be the season over for me. But I’d rather that than get injured next season.”

The youngster was scouted by Palace in 2004 as an Under 13, and has since made excellent progress, with 23 goals for the academy in the 2007-08 season, progressing through the reserves to secure a regular place in the first team this term.

In total, Scannell has now made 50 first team appearances, scoring five goals. He has represented the Republic of Ireland at U18 and U21 level and been included in the Senior Squad.

In addition to his achievements on the field, Scannell has remained committed to his education programme and should complete all components.

Commenting on the 2009 Football League Awards, Football League Chairman, Lord Mawhinney, said: "Once again, these awards have given us the opportunity to honour those individuals whose commitment to the game, their club or local community goes beyond the call of duty.

"The fourth Football League Awards has been an enormous success, and I congratulate all the winners on their achievements."

The number one spot in the FourFourTwo Top 50 Football League Players went to Wolverhampton Wanderers’ striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.