The Norwich City Player of the Season award is voted for annually by Norwich City's supporters, in recognition of the best overall performance by an individual player throughout the football season.[1] As a mark of respect, the trophy is named The Barry Butler memorial trophy, after the club captain who was killed in a car accident on 9 April 1966.[2]
This is the more prestigious of two official Norwich City awards, the other being the Young Player of the Year accolade.[3] The 2003–04 winner Craig Fleming made clear just how important this award is to Norwich City players, "It is something you dream of winning... it is such a prestigious award".[4] Other awards available are awarded by other bodies, namely the Capital Canaries, Norwich City Independent Supporters Association, and the "Ambassador Club".[5]
Since the inaugural award was made to Terry Allcock in 1967, nine players have won the award twice, and one, Grant Holt, has won the award three times, in 2010, 2011 and 2012.[6] Kevin Keelan was the first player to win the award in consecutive seasons, a feat since emulated by Martin Peters, Kevin Drinkell, Iwan Roberts, and Grant Holt.[7] Two winners have gone on to manage the club, Dave Stringer,[8] the 1972 winner, and double-winner Bryan Gunn.
Voting mechanism
editThis award is voted for by the fans of the club. Toward the end of the season, fans are invited to vote, either by submitting a paper slip to the club's Carrow Road offices, or by email or text message, with the winner being the player that polls the most votes.[9] A percentage of the votes from the 'Player of the Month' awards throughout the season also count towards the final votes for Player of the year.[9]
List of winners
edit Norwich City F.C. Hall of Fame inductee[10]
† Player currently on the playing staff of the club
Summary of wins by playing position
edit
| Position[nb 8] | Number of winners[nb 9] |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | 7 |
| Defender | 17 |
| Midfielder | 12 |
| Forward[nb 10] | 16 |
Summary of wins by country
edit| country | Number of winners[nb 9] |
|---|---|
 England |
33 |
 Scotland |
9 |
 Wales |
3 |
 Republic of Ireland |
2 |
 Finland |
2 |
 Argentina |
1 |
 Brazil |
1 |
 Cameroon |
1 |
 Netherlands |
1 |
Footnotes
edit- ^ The official "Level" of competition in the structure of the English league system.
- ^ For a full description of positions see Football Positions.
- ^ If blank, uncapped at full international level.
- ^ By this point in his career, the former forward was playing at "half-back".
- ^ Keelan was born in India, to English parents.
- ^ Played some games in defence, but scored 28 goals in all competitions and was then sold to Blackburn Rovers for a then national record fee of £5million.
- ^ Also played some games as a striker.
- ^ Doherty has been classed as a defender, Sutton as a striker, Allcock as a defender.
- ^ a b Multiple winners are counted multiple times.
- ^ Includes strikers and wingers.
References
edit- ^ "Player of the Year". canaries.co.uk. 27 April 2007. Archived from the original on 4 April 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2007.
- ^ Eastwood, John; Mike Davage (1986). Canary Citizens. Almeida Books. p. 107. ISBN 0-7117-2020-7.
As a mark of permanent respect...
- ^ "Roll up for the end of the year show". The Pink 'Un. 5 May 2007. Retrieved 3 October 2007.
Top honour, of course, was the Barry Butler Memorial Trophy for player of the year.
[permanent dead link] - ^ "FLEMING HONOURED TO WIN AWARD". canaries.co.uk. 7 November 2004. Archived from the original on 4 April 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2007.
- ^ "HUCKS ON A HAT-TRICK". canaries.co.uk. 4 May 2007. Archived from the original on 4 April 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2007.
- ^ Grant Holt – My Norwich City achievements will take some time to sink in Archived 17 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Eastern Daily Press, 14 May 2012. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
- ^ "Player of the Season – The Barry Butler Memorial Trophy". On The Ball, City. Archived from the original on 20 August 2008. Retrieved 11 September 2007.
- ^ "Dave Stringer's managerial career". Soccerbase. Archived from the original on 2 January 2005. Retrieved 15 October 2007.
- ^ a b "Race is on for Barry Butler trophy". The Pink 'Un. 16 March 2006. Retrieved 3 October 2007.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Canary stats – Norwich City Hall of Fame". Eastern Daily Press. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 9 October 2007.
- ^ "Player of the Season 1967–2007". canaries.co.uk. Archived from the original on 4 April 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2007.
- ^ "Dave Stringer's managerial career". soccerbase.com. Archived from the original on 2 January 2005. Retrieved 15 October 2007.
- ^ "Tearful Dublin in Carrow farewell". BBC Online. 28 April 2008. Archived from the original on 1 May 2008. Retrieved 5 January 2008.
- ^ "Bassong Named Player of the Season". Norwich City FC. Archived from the original on 6 April 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
- ^ "Spectator Nash favourite for player gong". Lancashire Telegraph. 1 May 2014. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
- ^ "Pukki wins War Paint for Men Player of the Season award". Archived from the original on 18 May 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2022.