EVERTON captain Phil Neville didn’t pick up an award on Thursday night at the BT Convention Centre – but he took to the stage and declared his belief that he was already a winner.
Asked by compere for the evening, Ray Stubbs, what it was like to lead the current crop of Everton players out at Goodison, Neville delivered a glowing tribute.
“I think I have the easiest job at the club,” he declared. “The spirit at the club and in the dressing room is phenomenal.
“They’re the best bunch of lads I have ever played with. Honestly.
“And the supporters just blow us away every time. The spirit away from home is fantastic, and when we were 1-0 down at home to Manchester City and getting battered, we came out for the second half and they drove us on. I think they sucked in the goals to be honest.”
Leighton Baines was the night’s biggest award winner, collecting the Player of the Year award, the Players’ Player prize and the trophy for the Goal of the Season.
Like his skipper, Baines believed the credit should be collective.
Collecting his first award of the evening he said: “I’d just like to thank my team-mates really for helping me during the season.
“It’s a big team effort and a privilege to play with them. They are not just my team-mates, but my mates as well.
“Phil is an inspiration to a lot of us. He’s had a fantastic career and the way he conducts himself is an example not just to the younger players but to the senior players as well.”
But by the time he came to carry off his third trophy he was running short on tributes!
“I’m a bit speechless to be honest,” he said. “It’s mind blowing to be up here three times. I’d just like to say thank you to the players and staff.”
