Eighteen-year-old midfielder Conor Coventry is the winner of the 2017/18 Dylan Tombides Award sponsored by Blue Cube Security, recognising an outstanding season for the youngster with the Academy.
Coventry, who has been capped by the Republic of Ireland up to U19 level, has featured regularly for the Premier League 2 side this season, playing ten games as Terry Westley’s side achieved a top half finish in their first season back at the top tier of U23 football.
With four EFL Trophy and four U18 Premier League appearances also under his belt, Coventry has made great strides over the past twelve months, beating fellow nominees Ben Johnson, Ajibola Alese and Domingos Quina to lift the prize.
Named in memory of the sadly departed Dylan Tombides, this award recognises the Academy Player of the Year and after collecting the trophy Coventry could not hide his delight.
"Dylan left a great legacy at the Club, to so win the award named after him is a great feeling," he said. "I’m really proud.
"It’s been a big season for me - appearing against senior teams in the Checkatrade Trophy, and going to both Man City and Man United away in PL2 and winning was great. I’d pick out the United game as the highlight, I played well that day and it was a great win.
"It was always a target to play PL2 this year, but I didn’t expect to play as much as I did. I’m very pleased with the season, it’s been a success.
"Seeing Declan Rice play so many times for the first team this season is a massive inspiration. It drives everyone to work harder and keep trying and it just shows us we can get there."