Town boss Kieran McKenna says last night’s EFL Awards, where he was named Manager of the Season and the Blues picked up a number of other gongs, was a proud moment for the club.

In addition to McKenna winning his award, Leif Davis was named in the Championship Team of the Season, having been included in the League One select XI last year.

Wes Burns’s brilliant trivela strike was named the EFL Goal of the Season, while former Town skipper Luke Chambers was handed the Sir Tom Finney Award for his contribution to the EFL.

“It’s a night to be proud, individually, for my family and for everyone at the football club,” McKenna told TownTV after receiving his award.

“I am fortunate to have the unconditional support of my wife through everything I’ve been through as a coach and now a manager, and my children as well as my parents, brothers and sister and everyone in the family.

“It’s a proud moment. There are a lot of sacrifices to be in this profession and for myself I don’t pause to think about moments like this, but when you get the opportunity it’s hopefully a proud moment for so many people I want to thank.

“Winning Manager of the Season reflects a team who have done fantastically well on the pitch, which in turn reflects the hard work of so many people at the club and the impact of the supporters as well.

“Hopefully it’s a proud night for everyone, even though we know we’re still in the season with important games still to go.”

Regarding Davis and Burns’s awards, he added: “For Leif to be in the Team of the Season is very good after a strong season for him and for Wes to get the recognition after the fantastic goal he scored was nice,. 

“There have been so many excellent individuals for us this season but we know we are very much a team with everything the boys do going towards the team. 

“But that doesn’t take away from there being outstanding individual performances in there, week in and week out. It’s important to recognise that as well. 

“We’re not stopping and not looking backwards at any interval, really, because we know at the end of the season there’s a big, big prize at stake which we will fight for with everything we’ve got. 

“At the end of the season we’ll be sitting here with a team who have broken a few records, not just for the club but for the league as well, and put in a lot of work which will hopefully make a lot of people really proud. 

“But for now the focus is on putting in the work to make sure we finish this off as well as we can.” 

Regarding Chambers, he continued: “It’s an incredible achievement and it was nice to sit beside him and his father this evening. 

“If you look at the contributions and the games played, and the impact on the wider EFL of those who have won that award, he deserves real credit for the dedication he showed over a long career and the commitment he gave to the club.” 

Photo: ITFC

SevenT8 added 11:52 - Apr 15 Wonderful sentiments from a wonderful man.
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norfsufblue added 12:35 - Apr 15 This fella knows his onions!.... just like Sir Alf & Sir Bob.....its the 3rd coming I tell thee!
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Saxonblue74 added 13:19 - Apr 15 The great thing about the rising of our great club for me is the organic nature of it. Nothing forced, nothing rushed, just good planning and a great amount of thought behind every little decision. I really hope for a role at the club for Chambers, experience such as his can't be bought.
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ImAbeliever added 13:20 - Apr 15 Class. Totally agree with the first 2 posts above.
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ImAbeliever added 13:21 - Apr 15 3rd one wasn’t there!
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superblues9 added 13:35 - Apr 15 Why do they hold the end of season awards before the end of the season !??? Got all of June and July to hold them would that not make sense ?! Well done McKenna though brilliant as we all know you are
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 14:28 - Apr 15 norfsuflblue: Fourth coming! The great George Burley was the third! Kieran McK is now very close to being up there with the immortal three. How lucky we are to have him.
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OldFart71 added 14:49 - Apr 15 I suppose an apology from myself is in order. As it was myself that asked the question with regards to McKenna proving himself. I feel that the way the question was phrased was all wrong and in no way was it meant to question Kieran's ability as a manager. His commitment and desire and to prove this he has been given this award. To take a group made up of loan players, players that weren't accustomed to the riggers of the Championship and to pluck players like Al Hamadi and Broadhead out of their clubs was genius. won't dwell on the question again and have always and will always see ITFC as my club who I have followed since the late 50's. Once again I apologise and hope that, in fact I am convinced we will get automatic promotion this season as I see Leicester on 96 points, Town on 93 and Leeds and Southampton on 91 each.

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cat added 15:39 - Apr 15 It’s hard to put into words what McKenna has brought to this club. His attention to detail is second to none and his post match interviews are as clever and articulate as you can find, not forgetting the style of play most of us have craved over the last few years.
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cat added 15:41 - Apr 15 Credit also to Burns and Davis who have been top performers for the club. Ahh and also credit to Chambers for his service to the EFL!
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runningout added 17:42 - Apr 15 it’s been brilliant, even if we find ourselves still in the Championship next season
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SpiritOfJohn added 18:46 - Apr 15 Only one manager has won two promotions for Ipswich Town FC and that is Sir Alf Ramsey, so Kieran has the opportunity to become a legend in his second full season at the club. That is incredible progress by anyone's standards and he has done it by coaching players to play in the style that he wants to play and that we want to watch. We are privileged to have him at our club. Long may he reign!

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HUTCHITFC added 20:01 - Apr 15 A massive congratulations to Kieran he fully deserves this award. The man just oozes professionalism and class. I appreciate they get media training but every time I read his interviews he speaks with so much fluetity and just seems to know what to say. I have so much confidence in everyone associated with Ipswich at the minute and regardless of what happens this season Kieran and everyone associated with the club deserves the up most respect and appreciation. Thankyou to not only you Kieran but everyone at the club no matter what happens you have all given 110%.

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meekreech added 20:33 - Apr 15 He must be well farked off with McKenna being named manager of the year after his vote rustling statement that Leeds are the best team of 2024 !
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bernie added 23:05 - Apr 15 Just a brilliant manager and top person , you can see the players love him, come on the blues
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KiwiBlue2 added 00:49 - Apr 16 A great reward for KMcK and the others. It would be incredible if we get automatic promotion and if we win our last three games we will. To put this into perspective one only has to remember all those years in the Championship after relegation. Regardless of what happens I trust that KMcK will continue his project for us next season.... what a remarkable turn around .... coyb

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Ipswichbusiness added 08:08 - Apr 16 Well done! Congratulations to KMc. Unfortunately, Prem clubs will be watching. If an established Prem club such as Brighton or West Ham are looking for a new manager in the summer they could make him a big fat offer which I suspect that he would accept. I hope that I am wrong.
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 09:04 - Apr 16 Why would he go? This is his project. He is getting everything he asks for , otherwise he has to go and start again with some other owner who may or may not be OK. Money is not everything.
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 09:06 - Apr 16 We could be playing in Europe in 2 seasons time. I think we will be within 4 years for sure, and under Keiran McKenna
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hamish added 17:57 - Apr 16 West Ham? Brighton? Behave. The only one we should be worried about is Man United. He was there for years, supported them as a kid and would fit what they probably want (younger English-speaking manager who plays football in the right way and commands the respect of his players). So we all need to hope that they win the FA Cup to save Ten Hag's job!
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superblues9 added 09:37 - Apr 17 True hamish my thoughts too !
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