Town boss Kieran McKenna was named the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Season at this evening’s EFL Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London this evening, while Wes Burns, Leif Davis and former Blues skipper Luke Chambers were also honoured.

McKenna fought off fellow nominees Daniel Farke of Leeds and Hull City’s Liam Rosenior, a former Town loanee, to win the gong.

Accepting the award, McKenna was asked how he and his team have managed to take to the Championship so comfortably this season with the Blues currently top with three games to go.

“It is tough,” he said. “It’s certainly not easy and it’s a testament to a lot of people at the football club and I can only thank all of them.

“This award’s on behalf of everyone at the football club, from the board and Mark [Ashton], the chief executive, putting their faith in me to the work of all the staff, some of whom are enjoying their night tonight and, of course, for my coaching staff and, most of all, for a great group of players as well.”

Burns’s brilliant outside-of-the-boot strike against Coventry City at Portman Road won the EFL Goal of the Season gong, which McKenna accepted on the Wales international’s behalf with none of the Town players present at the dinner having been given some time off following the recent busy spell of fixtures.

Davis was the only Blues player named in the Sky Bet Championship Team of the Season, the 24-year-old having recorded a new second-level record for a defender of 17 assists, as well as netting two goals and helping Town to 11 league clean sheets.

Former Blues skipper Chambers was honoured by being awarded the Sir Tom Finney Award for his commitment to the EFL, the 38-year-old having announced his retirement on Life's a Pitch TV earlier in the season.

“It was a bit of a surprise, to be honest,” Chambers said accepting the award. “No one really let on to what was happening. To be here is absolutely incredible, surrounded by so many unbelievable people, players, staff, people that are involved in the EFL. I’m a little bit speechless.

“I believe I led my career being as selfless as possible, being the captain of every club I played for. Trying to lead the best way I knew how, but always putting my teammates and the club first, so to be recognised at the end of 20 years of giving absolutely everything is absolutely unbelievable.”

Former Blues loan keeper Will Norris, now with Portsmouth, was named in the League One Team of the Season.

Photo: Matchday Images

Lightningboy added 10:46 - Apr 15 Plus how on earth is Leeds' Rutter the best striker with just 7 goals?
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Stato added 10:54 - Apr 15 He is the best manager in the league regardless of how the final few games pan out but comparisons to Burley just aren't credible until he gets us promoted. I think he'll deliver automatic promotion on the final day of the season and then the praise for him can really go to another level
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Steelmonkey added 11:15 - Apr 15 Undoubtedly a well deserved award, an amazing manager and man motivator but we haven’t won anything yet this season. I really hope this spurs the players on to reach our promotion goal. Even at this late stage of the season it all hinges on results in what must be the tightest finish to the Championship ever, we may yet have to endure the playoffs. Whatever happens it’s been an incredible turnaround since McKenna’s appointment, but none of it would have been possible without the new owners and them employing the people to lay the foundation and groundwork and improving the infrastructure of the club everywhere. I’ve been a supporter of this club for fifty six years, seen the fantastic highs and the desperate lows that the club have reached but I have to say this season has been possibly the most exciting. I’ll be having to miss the last home game against Huddersfield because of a need for an operation already been cancelled once so hoping to be fighting fit for the new season.

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Westy added 11:16 - Apr 15 Well deserved, and Wes Burns won goal of the season for the EFL, Leif Davis in Championship team if the season. Also Luke Chambers picked up an award for his more than 800 professional games and being Captain at every club he has played for before retiring. Just a shame the build up to Wes's goal (13 passes) wasn't shown.
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JimInGreensboro added 11:27 - Apr 15 Well done, Gaffer!
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PhuketPete added 11:30 - Apr 15 Am delighted for KM, Wes and Leif but I agree it’s ridiculous to make these type of decisions with some clubs still having more 10% of their games to play. Feel for Sam. His impact and achievements are far greater than outsiders recognise. Signing him was an absolute master stroke. Was that Paul C? I think so and so still think kindly of him for it. He inherited a right mess and couldn’t get to grips with it but he did bring in some fabulous players.

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Linkboy13 added 11:32 - Apr 15 The quality of the Premier league is much stronger now than when Burley was in charge so comparisons with McKenna are not really fair. There's no reason with a big cash investment we could compete Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth have done ok.
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warktheline added 14:53 - Apr 15 It absolutely amazes me how so many are quick to criticise but not to acknowledge something good! What a tremendous couple of seasons us fans have been treated to, and apart from the very small minority, have and continue to appreciate! Well deserved McKenna and Ipswich Town fc.
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Whos_blue added 16:18 - Apr 15 Awesome and so well deserved. Proud to be part of this.
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LegendofthePhoenix added 19:35 - Apr 15 Huge congratulations Kieran. Always so respectful and humble, a rarity in this age. We hope you have found your home in Ipswich and will lead us into the Premier League, and then??? You can write the future chapters in this story.
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Jcb2007 added 23:30 - Apr 15 Never needs to buy a beer again.
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Facefacts added 20:13 - Apr 17 Only wish Vas was in there instead of the Leicester keeper who gifted us a point at their place. He had one thing to do and he messed it up.
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eddiespearitt03 added 00:21 - Apr 20 Chuffed for Kieran McKenna and Wes Burns.
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