Wickes, the Official Home Improvement Partner of The Football League Championship, is once again setting out to recognise the finest young apprentice in the league with the Wickes Young Apprentice Of The Year award. During the 2007/08 season the Coca-Cola Football League Championship's best young players will be hoping to make an impact and follow in the footsteps of previous years' winners, Lewin Nyatanga and Chris Gunter.

The winning player will not only be awarded the prestigious Young Apprentice Of The Year trophy, but will also receive £5,000 towards his club's youth development scheme and a few well deserved holiday vouchers. With the second placed player receiving £3,000 towards youth development at his club and £2,000 for the third placed player, all three prizes will help keep up the essential work youth schemes play in bringing through fresh new talent at their clubs.

Last year's winner was Cardiff City's 18 year old Welsh wonder Chris Gunter. Chris capped off an amazing season, seeing him break through into the Cardiff City first team and becoming a regular first choice player. Gunter has since gone on to make his full international debut for Wales in May 2007, the youngest ever Cardiff City player to achieve this.

Chris Gunter comments: "It was amazing to be recognised with the Wickes Young Apprentice trophy last year and great to know that all the hard work, on and off the pitch, is being acknowledged. I'm looking forward to another exciting season in the Championship at Cardiff City and hope to see another new crop of young stars breaking through."

Once again this season, a knowledgeable judging panel will select the winning players. They will be looking at various aspects of the young apprentice's career to date including discipline, education, attitude and of course, performance on the pitch. This year's panel will be made up of:

· Andy Townsend, ex-Aston Villa, Chelsea, Southampton, Norwich City, Middlesborough, Republic of Ireland International and talkSPORT breakfast show host
· Pat Lally, Professional Footballer's Association
· Harry Wilson, The Football League
· Matt Holmes, Sports Sponsorship Manager, Wickes
· Luke Nicoli, Championship Writer, FourFourTwo magazine
· Lloyd Major, Account Manager, Wickes Press Office, Cake

Wickes Sports Sponsorship Manager, Matt Holmes comments: "Youth players are proving to be more and more vital to clubs in the Championship and we are very proud to once again provide a platform to showcase this country's brightest young stars. With the Wickes Young Apprentice Of The Year, we are looking forward to discovering who will be making their mark in this year's Football League Championship."

The shortlist of the final players will be announced in January 2008, with the winner presented with his award at the Football League Awards ceremony in London in March.