Nathaniel Clyne has been named FourFourTwo Young Player of the Year at the 2010 Football League Awards incorporating FourFourTwo's Top 50 Football League Players.
The award was announced at a gala dinner at Grosvenor House, Park Lane on Sunday evening in front of 900 attendees from clubs, sponsors and the football industry, but unfortunately Clyne couldn't attend so Communications Manager, Terry Byfield, collected it on his behalf.
The 18-year-old defender received the accolade as a result of being ranked 17th in the FourFourTwo Top 50 Football League Players which was announced on the night.
This made him the highest ranked representative aged 21 or under, and as a result, the FourFourTwo Young Player of the Year for the Coca-Cola Football League, pipping Nottingham Forest's Paul Anderson and Southampton's Adam Lallana to the title.
Crystal Palace's youth academy has long been admired, and Nathaniel Clyne is the latest gem to come off its production line. An attacking right-back, he was handed his first-team chance last November, and so impressive were his performances that he became a mainstay of the side.
He has continued to play at the top of his game in a difficult season for The Eagles and has certainly given the club's fans plenty to shout about.
Commenting on the 2010 Football League Awards, Football League Chairman, Lord Mawhinney, said: "Once again, these awards have given us the opportunity to honour those clubs and individuals whose commitment to the game or their local community goes beyond the call of duty.
"The fifth Football League Awards have been an enormous success, and I congratulate all the winners on their achievements."
The overall number one spot in the FourFourTwo Top 50 Football League Players went to Newcastle United's striker Kevin Nolan.
Jermaine Beckford of Leeds United was the highest ranked Coca-Cola League 1 player and Craig Dawson of Rochdale the best from Coca-Cola League 2. The full list of The Top 50 Football League Players can be found either in the May issue of FourFourTwo which is on sale now, or on the FourFourTwo website www.fourfourtwo.com.
To find out more about The Football League Awards, including all the photos and news from the evening, please visit www.footballleagueawards.com.
