On Sunday the 17th of April 2016, we witnessed the 11th Football League Awards, an evening of great celebration regarding the on and off-pitch efforts and achievements by football clubs and their communities within the Football League.
One of several awards which were being competed for on the evening was the LFE Apprentice of the Year Award, in which Ademola Lookman was selected as the winner.
According to the official Football League website : The award recognises the outstanding young professionals at Championship clubs who excel both on and off the pitch. Players registered as a first or second-year scholar, or as a first-year professional, were eligible and judges took into account the record of player in all competitions since he became an apprentice as well as his educational attainment, disciplinary record and any other outstanding achievements.
The winner had the following comments on receiving the award:
“It means so much to me, I’m really proud of where I’ve come from to where I am now – it feels like a dream really.”
The contenders for the LFE Apprentice of the Year Award in the Championship were:
- Ademola Lookman (Charlton Athletic)
- David Popa (Birmingham City)
- Mathew Hudson (Preston North End)
Lookman has definitely been gaining attention, and building quite the reputation despite the relatively low number of senior appearances he has had to date. Including, Premier League clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton, Manchester City and Chelsea all being reported to have an interest in obtaining the young potential superstar.
With Lookman winning this award, the imminent relegation of Charlton Athletic to League 1 and the loss of their Championship status, the risk of the Addicks losing great young talent such as Lookman next season is ever more likely. Although the Addicks’ will not let young academy stars like Lookman go without a fight, especially when he could be a catalyst in League 1 to bring the Addicks’ back to the Championship.
The72 would like to congratulate Ademola Lookman on receiving the Championship LFE Apprentice of the Year Award, as well as the other excellent contenders who just fell short: David Popa and Mathew Hudson.
