Within the EFL, there has been a huge number of players and managers who have been eligible to compete in the EFL throughout the course of the 2024/25 season. However, during the season, the minuscule majority of these players and managers have been special, consistent, fantastic, and team players throughout the season.
The EFL could have picked a large majority of the players and managers to be awarded for their efforts, but the ones I am going to list below are the ones that have been recognised by the EFL for going above and beyond for their team within the season. Join me as I break down the players and managers who have earned an award this season.
Championship Awards
EFL Championship Manager of the season- Scott Parker (Burnley)
Scott Parker has had the ability to guide Burnley to an outstanding promotion back to the Premier League after being relegated to the Championship in the 2023/24 season. This is why the EFL has awarded him for his efforts this season. Parker helped Burnley secure promotion by regenerating the Clarets defence, with Burnley keeping 30 clean sheets out of 45 matches, placing them top of the clean sheet table. As well as this, with Burnley picking up 4 points against the current league leaders, which is Leeds has shown Parker’s impressive tactics and leadership skills to put Burnley second in the table below Leeds on goal difference at the time of writing.
EFL Championship Player of the Season- Gustavo Hamer (Sheffield United)
The attacking midfielder and the heart of Sheffield United’s team- Gustavo Hamer who is the attacking outlet for Sheffield United is ranked as the Blades third top scorer with 9 goals and top of United’s assist leaderboard with 7 assists which has played a significant role in their attack this season and led to his team securing a playoff spot. This has been a crucial factor in Sheffield United’s push for promotion back to the Premier League this season. Finally, Gustavo Hamer has supported his other teammates in converting goal scoring opportunities by creating 71 successful chances, which is 96% of the chances created. Overall, the outstanding attacking qualities that Gustavo Hamer holds earned the left midfielder the EFL Championship Player of the Season.
EFL Championship young player of the season- Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland)
Our second midfielder addition is in the form of Jobe Bellingham, who has functioned as the key central figure in the Black Cats’ midfield. Scoring 4 goals whilst assisting 3, Bellingham’s attacking threat is clear. However, it is his crucial defensive actions that supported him in earning this EFL award, with the 19 year old making 27 interceptions whilst also winning 56.3% of his tackles in the 3417 minutes the former Birmingham man has played this season. As we can see, both Bellingham’s attacking and defensive contributions have helped to benefit the Sunderland side and put them in the playoff mix.
League One Awards
EFL League One Manager of the season- Chris Davies (Birmingham)
Chris Davies has had a sensational first season at Birmingham with the Blues flying away with the league title in style, with 16 points between them and Wrexham. This is why he deserves the EFL League One manager of the season award. This season, Davies has led the Blues to winning 42 out of 58 matches this season. A contributing factor is Birmingham being second in the clean sheet table with 21 clean sheets. Another factor is Birmingham gaining 4 points over second in the table, Wrexham, when they played each other. So overall, his outstanding qualities have earned him this award.
EFL League One Player/ young player of the season- Richard Kone (Wycombe)
The next inclusion in League One arrives in the form of Richard Kone, whose 18 goals and 3 assists have helped earn The Chair Boys key points, which have pushed his side in their promotion fight. The 21 year old has offered a clear attacking threat this season with 99 shots and 40 of these on target. However, the former Athletic Newham man’s playmaking ability has also helped to benefit The Chair Boys with 455 successful passes and a 50% long ball accuracy, which helped to create 36 chances from Kone. This, along with his attacking ability, shows why Kone has earned the EFL League One Player/Young Player of the Season.
PFA Player in the Community- Taylor Moore (Bristol Rovers)
A special mention to The Gas defender Taylor Moore, who has throughout the season taken his time to help people in the community who were struggling with mental health issues. A main factor as to why he carried this out was due to past experiences in his life, such as him nearly losing his mum to suicide. Moore created a project which is called 5k Your Way, which consists of the community taking part in light physical activity in order to support individuals who are struggling with mental health issues by encouraging conversations through exercise. Overall, this is why Moore has earned the PFA Player in the Community award.
League Two Awards
EFL League Two Manager of the Season- Graham Alexander (Bradford)
Alexander’s ability to guide Bradford to an impressive 3rd in the League Two table, which has been the highest position Bradford have been in 15 seasons so this is why he has earned the EFL League Two Manager of the Season. A main contributor is Alexander, creating a winning mentality and togetherness around the club. As well as this, regenerating the Bantams defence to make it solid, which has shown with 15 clean sheets this season. So, with him exceeding Bradford’s expectations of playoffs so far this season, he has earned the EFL League Two Manager of the Season and Bradford could still be automatically promoted this weekend, if results go their way.
EFL League Two Player of the season- Michael Cheek (Bromley)
Next, I am going to be writing about the penultimate EFL Player of the Season and the focal point of Bromley’s attack- Michael Cheek, who is ranked 1st in the top scorer charts amongst other strikers within League Two with 23 goals, and with one game left to play this season. As well as this, Cheek’s expected goals of 20.9 have supported his team in picking up crucial points for Bromley, helping Woodman’s side stabilise in League Two after their most recent promotion to League Two from the National League. Overall, Cheek is one of Bromley’s main goal threats and one of the main goal threats within League Two. However, his possession statistics are also impressive, winning 329 aerial duels whilst also making 396 successful passes, helping his side maintain possession. Overall, the physical presence of Michael Cheek has been recognised by the EFL, which has earned him the EFL League Two Player of the Season.
EFL League Two young player of the season- Nathan Lowe (Walsall)
The final EFL player of the season, who some could argue he only played half of the season, is in the form of Nathan Lowe, whose 15 goals and 5 assists helped Walsall have a prolonged time at the top of the table and have kept them in the promotion fight at this current time. The 19 year old, within his half a season at Walsall, had offered a clear attacking threat with 59 shots and 31 of these on target. However, the current Stoke man’s playmaking ability helped to benefit the Saddlers with 233 successful passes and a 45.5% long ball accuracy, which helped create 21 chances from Lowe at his team at Walsall. This, along with his outstanding attacking ability, has earned him the EFL League Two Player of the Season.
