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Stadium of Light Award

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Image for Stadium of Light Award

Sunderland have won the Best Away Ground Award at the 2007 Football League Awards incorporating FourFourTwo`s Top 50 Football League Players.

The Black Cats received the award, which was sponsored by Thomas Cook Sport and run in conjunction with BBC Radio Five Live, at a gala dinner at the Grosvenor House on Park Lane on Sunday 4th March 2007.

The other grounds shortlisted for this award were Crewe Alexandra – The Alexandra Stadium, Gresty Road, and Plymouth Argyle – Home Park.

The judges marked the shortlisted grounds on a variety of criteria, including overall stadium atmosphere, facilities for away fans, refreshments available, value for money, and their overall match experience at the stadiums.

Duncan Adams, author of The Essential Football Fan: The Definitive Guide to Premier and Football League Grounds, was a judge on the Best Away Ground category. He commented that ‘The Stadium of Light’s facilities are first class – as good as any that can be found in The Football League – but the experience is about more than just the stadium. The Sunderland home fans help to create a great atmosphere, to ensure that away fans are in for a cracking day out.’

Sunderland`s Chief Executive, Peter Walker, says “It’s fantastic to get this award – we’re all very proud of the Stadium of Light and this award reflects the stadium and its qualities. It’s not just the bricks and mortar and the size of the stadium, it’s the people, the atmosphere and the welcome we give to people from visiting clubs.”



Commenting on the 2007 Football League Awards, The Football League Chairman, Lord Mawhinney, said: “Once again, The Football League Awards have been a great success. They have given us the opportunity to recognise and reward the outstanding contributions made to The Football League by fans, clubs, players and sponsors.”

The number one spot in the FourFourTwo Top 50 Football League Players went to West Bromwich Albion midfielder, Jason Koumas, followed by Dave Nugent of Preston North End and Gareth Bale of Southampton. The full list of The Top 50 Football League Players can be found in the April issue of FourFourTwo which is on sale now.

To find out more about The Football League Awards please visit www.footballleagueawards.com.

The full list of winners from The Football League Awards is as follows:

FOOTBALL AWARDS

Wickes Young Apprentice Award – Coca-Cola Championship
Chris Gunter, Cardiff City

Apprentice Award – Coca-Cola League 1 – sponsored by Nivea for Men Weekend Wonders
Joe Skarz, Huddersfield Town

Apprentice Award – Coca-Cola League 2 – sponsored by Nivea for Men Weekend Wonders
Joe Thompson, Rochdale

Goal of the Year – sponsored by Mitre
Joe Ledley, Barnsley v Cardiff, 5th August 2006

FourFourTwo Young Player of the Year – Coca-Cola Football League **
Gareth Bale, Southampton

FourFourTwo Player of the Year – Coca-Cola League 2*
Izale McLeod, Milton Keynes Dons

FourFourTwo Player of the Year – Coca-Cola League 1*
Billy Sharp, Scunthorpe United

FourFourTwo Player of the Year – Coca-Cola Championship*
Jason Koumas, West Bromwich Albion

*These awards were presented to the highest ranked player in each division in FourFourTwo`s Top 50 Football League Players


**This award was presented to the highest ranked young Football League player in FourFourTwo`s Top 50 Football League Players

INDUSTRY AWARDS

· Community Club of the Year – sponsored by Wickes

Brighton and Hove Albion

Best Community Initiative – sponsored by The Football Foundation
Norwich City

Best Club Sponsorship – sponsored by Carling
Brentford

Best Club Marketing Campaign – sponsored by CSI Sports
Norwich City

Best Matchday Programme – sponsored by PA Sport
Colchester United

Best Use of New Media – sponsored by Football Manager
Cardiff City

Best Kit Design – sponsored by Nivea for Men Weekend Wonders
Burnley (Away Kit)

Best Away Ground – sponsored by Thomas Cook Sport and run in conjunction with BBC Radio Five Live
Sunderland – Stadium of Light

Fan of the Year – sponsored by FIFA ’07
Stan McGowen, Bury

Contribution to League Football – sponsored by SBJ Sports
Jack Taylor

Good Sport Award – sponsored by Wash and Go
Chris Doig, Northampton Town

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