Powell Picks Up Prize

Reds midfielder Nick Powell collected the League Two Player of the Year award at Monday night's Northwest Football Awards.

Powell excelled last term at Crewe Alexandra, scoring 16 goals and playing a pivotal role in helping The Alex win promotion to League One.

He finished the season as Crewe's top scorer and starred at the club's internal awards ceremony, as he became the first person to win all five major awards, including Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and Goal of the Season.

Now Powell has added the fan-voted Northwest Football Awards gong to his collection, beating out competition from Chris McCready (Morecambe) and Padraig Amond (Accrington Stanley).

Antonio Valencia missed out on the Premier League prize, as Liverpool's Martin Skrtel edged out the United winger and Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany.

Liverpool also enjoyed success in the Rising Star category, as right-back Martin Kelly was voted ahead of a number of promising players, including United's Mats Daehli, Nick Powell and Blackpool's Tom Ince.