Skipper David Norris won the Players’ Player of the Year award at last night’s End of Season Dinner at Milsoms Kesgrave Hall. The 30-year-old midfielder, who is Town's top scorer on 11, beat central defender Gareth McAuley by one vote.
Norris and McAuley could both leave the club over the summer as they are yet to sign new contracts. Talks continued with the Blues captain last week with Portsmouth and a number of other clubs - including Wigan who have again been linked today - understood to be interested in signing him on a Bosman deal in the close season. The former Plymouth man wants a three-year contract, while Town were only willing to offer two further seasons.
Norris said he was very pleased to pick up the gong: "It's a great award to win and obviously I'm delighted.
"To get the vote from your fellow players always makes it special."
Manager Paul Jewell says the club have agreed to McAuley’s agent’s terms but the Northern Irishman is yet to put pen to paper with reports over the weekend claiming that the 31-year-old would join SPL giants Rangers at the end of the season.
Last night’s dinner saw midfielder-turned-full-back Carlos Edwards win the John Kerridge Memorial Trophy for the club’s most improved player, while Josh Carson, who won the Dale Roberts Trophy for the Academy Player of the Year at the weekend, picked up the Harold Smith Trophy for the academy's most improved player.
Connor Wickham won the Goal of the Season award for his mazy dribble and then deft finish against Sheffield United and Gareth McAuley won the Customers, Boxholders and Sponsors' Player of the Season.
The evening also saw Town's 1981 UEFA Cup-winning duo Arnold Muhren and Frans Thijssen hold a question and answer session with Bryan Hamilton, John Wark, Steve McCall and Russell Osman subsequently joining them.