AFC Wimbledon

Academy product nominated for national award

Eighteen-year-old full-back Ben Harrison has earned plaudits for his work on and off the pitch after he was nominated for the LFE Apprentice of the Year award.

Winners for this accolade will be announced at the Football League Awards 2015 on 19 April with Harrison just one of three League 2 players to be recognised.

The League Football Education award has selected “outstanding young professionals at Football League clubs who excel both on and off the pitch.”

In selecting shortlists, the LFE took into account the record of players in all competitions during their apprenticeships, alongside education attainment, disciplinary records, and any other outstanding achievements.

Harrison has made six first-team appearances and he was rewarded for his progress with a first professional contract earlier this season.

Neal Ardley said: “This is thoroughly deserved. It can be quite daunting for a second year apprentice to be in and around the first-team, but Ben handled himself brilliantly. This award also recognises education and attitude off the pitch too and it shows how hard Ben has worked. He has done well to get this far and hopefully he gets the icing on the cake with the award.”

Just two other players were selected for League 2 with Conor Chaplin (Portsmouth) and Ryan Johnson (Stevenage) also nominated.

Senior Professional Development Phase Coach Alan Reeves said: “Ben’s progress has been steady and relentless. Ben had a taste of first-team football at the start of the season due to injuries to Jack Smith and Callum Kennedy.

  “Though he came back out of the first-team squad, Ben realises that he is still a kid and has things to learn. But he is always willing to listen and learn during training and games. The sky's the limit for him.”

anniversary of the event.^thThe Football League Awards aims to celebrate on and off pitch excellence across the 72 clubs and this will be the 10

Drew Barrand, Marketing Director of The Football League, said: “The Football League Awards 2015 provides not just the opportunity to recognise star performances, both on and off the pitch over the last year, but also the chance to celebrate the last 10 years of the event.

We wish all those nominated the best of luck and look forward to a fantastic evening in April when we will announce the winners.”  “This is the best year yet in terms of the standard and number of entries so to make the shortlists is a real achievement by the clubs and individuals involved.

. Best Goals To see the goals and vote, click on   Fans currently have the chance to have a say in one of the award categories, with voting for the Mitre Goal of the Year shortlist taking place in conjunction with Soccer AM.