Tottenham triumphed at this year’s London Football Awards, with player, Heung-Min Son and manager, Mauricio Pochettino taking home the top awards. Son beat teammate and last year’s winner, Kane, to be awarded the much coveted 2019 Premier League Player of the Year award, while Pochettino, was awarded Manager of the Year, having previously won it in 2016. Other winners to scoop trophies on the night included West Ham’s Rice, Watford’s Foster, Arsenal’s Miedema and Brentford’s Maupay. The prestigious awards ceremony was hosted by sports presenter Laura Woods at Battersea Evolution on February 28, 2019.
In its fifth year, the London Football Awards, sponsored by Toscafund, raises funds for former Arsenal goalkeeper and TV presenter, Bob Wilson OBE and his wife, Megs’ charity, Willow – the only national charity working with seriously ill young adults aged 16 to 40 to fulfil uplifting and unforgettable Special Days.
This year’s winner of the Outstanding Contribution to London Football (sponsored by Weston Homes), was former Spurs, Chelsea and England footballer and manager, Glenn Hoddle.
A one-off award for 2019 to recognise a momentous victory was for Goal of the Year, won by Crystal Palace’s Andros Townsend who was there to accept his trophy on the night. The goal, a volley from the outside area, was during their 3-2 win against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on December, 22 2018.
Winners of the Awards, plus all nominees and presenters were:
The inaugural ‘For All’ Award, sponsored by The FA, recognises a grassroots project or club linked to a County FA in the London area, which supports diversity, inclusion and engages with underrepresented groups participating in football. The winner, Muslimah Sports Association (MSA), actively encourages BAME females to be ‘all they can be’, using sport and physical activity to break down barriers and create role models. MSA played a pivotal role in providing advice and guidance to Essex County FA in being able to successfully deliver a fully inclusive Level 1 football coaching course, which 16 females completed.
Nominees and winners who attended the 2019 ceremony include: Heung-Min Son, Mauricio Pottechino, Neal Maupay, Declan Rice, Andros Townsend, Joe Montemurro and Rianna Dean.
Other current and former players who attended the 2019 London Football Awards include: Arsenal:Alan Smith, Bob Wilson, George Graham, Kelly Smith, Lee Dixon, Perry Groves. Charlton: Mark Bright. Chelsea: Eddie Newton, John Hollins Crystal Palace: Roy Hodgson. QPR: Andy Sinton, Mark Lazurus. Tottenham: Clive Allen, David Pleat, Karen Hills, Keith Burkinshaw, Martin Chivers, Ossie Ardiles, Pat Jennings, Paul Miller.West Ham: Carlton Cole, Marlon Harewood, Stuart Pearce and Tony Cottee.
Willow Life President Bob Wilson OBE, said: “The London Football Awards is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the skills of our nominees, as well as the outstanding community work achieved by the clubs and County FAs. It’s been a dramatic and exciting season for all the capital’s clubs.”
Nominees and winners of the awards have been selected by an expert judging panel from the worlds of football and media, from former players to major footballing bodies, and sports media, including Sky Sports, BBC, The Telegraph, Evening Standard and talkSPORT.