Manchester City Women’s striker Toni Duggan was the first to be recognised when the 2014/15 season awards were announced on Wednesday night.
Fans voted her skilful, winning volley against Chelsea in last year’s Women’s Super League worthy of the prestigious ‘Goal of the season’ award.
Collecting her award, a delighted Duggan said: “I’m really honoured to receive this award.
“When I signed for City, I knew I was joining a special and integrated club and this award demonstrates how fans have embraced the women’s team – it’s a great feeling.”
Duggan later tweeted: “Never imagined this would happen, a honour to be the first woman to win an award like this & hopefully not the last…”
Duggan’s award capped an unforgettable first season for the Women’s team and a promising second season that is already underway, with City fourth in the Super League and facing joint-leaders Arsenal on Sunday, who are just four points ahead of the Sky Blues.
City’s confidence will likely grow too, given the return of World Cup quintent Duggan, Karen Bardsley, Jill Scott, Lucy Bronze and Steph Houghton, who all helped England reach a first semi-final only to lose in heartbreaking fashion.
Now in its third year, City Live has grown to become a big night in the Club’s calendar and an unprecedented chance for faithful City fans to see their favourite players recognised.
Fan favourite Sergio Aguero scored twice, winning both ‘Player of the Year’ and the ‘EA Player Performance Index Award’.
He scored 880 points, the most of any City player, on EA’s performance statistics table.
Argentinian defender Martin Demichelis picked up the ‘Vitality Fitness Award’ as the outfield player who clocked up the most minutes of any City player last season, while the ‘EDS Player of the Year’ accolade was presented by Frank Lampard to 18-year-old Angelino, now on loan at the Club’s sister team New York City FC.
Academy graduates Rony Lopes, Jason Denayer and Kelechi Iheanacho were introduced to the crowd following the recent announcement of their promotion to the first team.
And City fans were also given a glimpse of this season’s first team as new signings Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph joined Manuel Pellegrini.
Main image courtesy of Manchester City FC via YouTube, with thanks.
