Saddlers award for Gerrard

Walsall centre back Anthony Gerrard has won the club’s Player of the Season award for the second time in three years.

The former Everton stopper commanded almost 60 per cent of the vote to win the award, which was decided by a fans ballot.

Gerrard, aged 22,  has been in outstanding form at the heart of the defence this season and his partnership with Scott Dann was one of the main reasons that Saddlers were able to go on a run of 17 League games unbeaten and break the club record for consecutive unbeaten away games.

“I am absolutely delighted to have won the Player of the Season award,” Gerrard said. “It’s a nice accolade, particularly as it was voted for by the fans.

“This is the second time that I have won it in the past three years, but this time it was more of an achievement as there have been a lot of good players this season who were in the running.”

The 22-year-old held off competition from second placed Rhys Weston, who polled 19 per cent.   Mark Bradley claimed the Young Player of the Season award in a close run contest from runner-up Richard Taundry, with Alex Nicholls earning third place.