Valencia Up For Local Award

Antonio Valencia has been nominated for the Premier League Player of the Year prize at the forthcoming Northwest Football Awards, capping an incredible 2011/12 campaign.

The Ecuadorian hopes to add the prestigious title to his already growing list of honours after the Reds winger swept the board at United’s end of season awards, taking home both the players’ and fans’ Player of the Year prizes, as well as the Goal of the Season gong.

Although delighted, Valencia admits his own personal achievement, however humbling, will never make up for the disappointment of losing the league title to rivals Manchester City on the final day of last season, with memories of those final few minutes at the Stadium of Light still raw.

“Yes, I am very happy. That said, I’d be much happier to have the Premier League trophy,” Antonio told Inside United. “But it’s something very special and I will aim to keep improving. It’s all about winning trophies with the team rather than individual honours.

“I don’t really want to remember that day because it was such a great high followed by an unbelievable low. But that’s just what can happen in football. Now it’s history. I’ve felt sad for my team-mates and for me, too, but now I just hope it doesn’t happen again.

“Yes, we were winning so we were quite calm. City were losing, then all of it sudden it all changed in two minutes. It’s important that we turn the page now and look to the future.”

Valencia faces competition for the award from Everton’s John Heitinga, Liverpool’s Martin Škrtel, Vincent Kompany of Manchester City, Wigan Athletic skipper Gary Caldwell, Ádám Bogdán of Bolton Wanderers and Yakubu, formerly of Blackburn Rovers.

In addition, United’s Head Physiotherapist, Rob Swire, has been shortlisted in the Medical & Sports Science Professional category, whilst the club’s partnership with Aon has been nominated for the Best Club Sponsorship Engagement/Partnership Award.

Supporters can now cast their vote to help decide which players will receive the various accolades by visiting the Northwest Football Awards website. Each voter will also be entered into a free prize draw to win a pair of tickets to the ceremony, hosted by the BBC’s Dan Walker.