Dion Charles was crowned League One Player of the Season at this year’s North West Football Awards.

Charles claimed the prize despite competition from Accrington’s Tommy Leigh and Fleetwood’s Brendan Wiredu.

The Northern Ireland international scored 23 goals in all competitions last term as the Whites achieved a top-six finish and beat Plymouth in the Papa Johns Trophy final at Wembley in front of nearly 80,000 supporters.

Charles was not able to receive the award in person as he prepares for Wanderers’ trip to Shrewsbury, but he did send in a video message for those in attendance in The Point at Emirates Old Trafford.

“Sorry I can’t be there tonight, I have got to prepare for an important game tomorrow. Last season was really good for me and the club,” he said.

“We got to the play-offs and got to Wembley in the Papa Johns Trophy, and I scored some important goals along the way. Thank you to everyone who voted for me, it means a lot.”

Wanderers were also named the best community club outside of the Premier League despite competition from Blackpool, Burnley, Preston, Wigan and Fylde.

Meanwhile, Fabrice Muamba presented his annual award for outstanding service to football medicine and performance to Alan Raw.

And former Bolton midfielder Josh Cullen won the Championship Player of the Season prize after helping Burnley clinch the title.

Here is a list of notable winners at the 2023 North West Football Awards

  • Rising Star: Adam Mayor, Morecambe
  • Women’s Rising Star: Missy Bo Kearns, Liverpool
  • National League Player of the Season: Josh Lundstram
  • League Two Player of the Season: Elliot Watt, Salford
  • League One Player of the Season: Dion Charles, Wanderers
  • Championship Player of the Season: Josh Cullen, Burnley
  • Premier League Player of the Season: Erling Haaland
  • Women’s Player of the Season: Khadija Shaw, Man City
  • Billy Seymour Impact Award: Mary Earps
  • Community Clubs of the Season: Everton and Wanderers
  • Unsung Hero: Ted Morris, Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association
  • Fabrice Muamba Award: Alan Raw
  • Manager of the Season: Pep Guardiola
  • Lifetime Contribution Award: Alex Williams MBE