Millwall’s Player of the season award was last night awarded, and it was club captain Jake Cooper who took the honour home. Despite stiff competition, the towering centre-back’s incredible season was enough for him to receive the honour for the first time in his decade-long Millwall career.
Cooper has missed only one game in all competitions, and in doing so has chipped in with 4 goals and an assist. In the Lions best season since the late 1980s, Cooper has established himself truly as an all-time Millwall legend.
When Cooper’s name was announced, you’d be hard pressed to find any Millwall fan who wasn’t happy. In hindsight, it seems obvious Cooper was going to keep on performing at Championship level. The season didn’t start like that though.
After a shaky opening day performance against Norwich City, some fans had questions. Many thought it was the beginning of Cooper being phased out. Especially with the January signing of Tristan Crama and Summer signing of Caleb Taylor. Followed up by a 3-0 home defeat to Middlesbrough, it arguably felt inevitable.
Jake Cooper would come into his own though. Cooper has been the most consistent piece in a Millwall backline who kept 17 clean sheets. Missing one game all season in a Millwall side riddled with injuries. His availability has always been one of his greatest strengths.
He has even posed an attacking threat with five goal contributions from centre-back. His first goal was the opener in a 3-0 romping of West Bromwich Albion. He would also go on to score against Oxford United, Birmingham City and Hull City.
In the season where he became the 4th highest appearance maker in the club’s history, it feels befitting for him to finally boast the accolade.
Whilst Jake Cooper was announced as the Millwall Supporter’s club Player of the season, he was not the only player to come home with awards.
Tristan Crama was voted second behind Jake Cooper in the main award, but won the Player’s player of the season award. This comes after an impressive first full season at second tier level that also earnt him a spot in the Championship team of the season.
Femi Azeez won the Junior Lion’s Player of the season, and came third in the overall voting. Currently Millwall’s joint highest scorer this season, as well as having the sides most assists. Similarly to Crama he was also featured in the official Championship team of the season
Caleb Taylor was victorious on two fronts. The centre-back signed from West Brom in the summer claimed the side’s Young Player of the season after establishing himself as a guaranteed starter. He also took home the club’s Goal of the season award. This is for his thunderous strike in the 3-2 victory over Southampton in November.
The Matija Sarkic award for Save of the Season went to on-loan Sunderland keeper Anthony Patterson. His quick reaction to Ipswich Town’s Ivan Azon’s close range strike was enough to earn the honour.
