IRELAND INTERNATIONAL ALAN Browne was yesterday named Preston North End’s Player of the season, with the midfielder also picking up Goal of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season too.
The 23-year-old enjoyed yet another successful year at the club he joined from Cork City at the start of 2014, scoring eight goals in all competitions.
“I wasn’t sure if I’d get any award today but I was really grateful when I heard my name called out for the players’ player award,” he said speaking with the Lancashire post.
“I feel I can improve even more on that and really kick on next season.”
Preston boast a strong Irish contingent, consisting of Browne, Daryl Horgan, Greg Cunningham, Adam O’Reilly, Callum Robinson and Sean Maguire, and the club narrowly missed out on a play-off spot this year, finishing two points adrift of sixth place.
Browne has been a constant in the side throughout his three and a half seasons and earned his international debut under Martin O’Neill in a friendly against Mexico last June.
🏆 Player of the Year
— Preston North End FC (@pnefc) May 6, 2018
🏆 Players' Player of the Year
🏆 Goal of the Season
Congratulations @Alan__Browne! 👏 #pnefc pic.twitter.com/WSjMkFfHnF
Preston ended the season with a 2-1 win against Burton Albion on Sunday — going unbeaten in their last five games in the Championship — however it wasn’t enough to contest a play-off position.
On top of the club’s Player of the Season award, Browne also picked up Goal of the Season for a halfway line strike against Cardiff, as well as Players’ Player of the Season, voted for by his Preston team-mates.
“They are the people that see you every day,” he said of the latter accolade.
“You can have an off day in a match and the fans might not think as highly of you but the boys see what you do in training and how hard you’re working.
“The award means a lot to me, but the supporters one means a hell of a lot too.”
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The lad is going to be snapped up this summer.He ran the show for Preston this season.I hope Cork City have a sell on clause with him.
@Padraig: I haven’t been following the championship at all. How have the likes of Horgan and Maguire been doing Padraig?
@De Zach Same: pretty good. Both where flying till they got injured.
@prop joe: Maguire was flying and had he not got injured Preston probably would have made the championship. It was a tough year for Horgan. He isn’t first choice and at times – particularly after Maguire came in struggled to make the bench. In saying that every time he came on he did well. Hopefully they’ll find a role for both him and Maguire (and now Robinson) next year
We see so much irish talent over in England at the moment yet the national team is at a standstill
@John Appleseed: at championship level. We don’t have any players at the top six clubs.
@prop joe: Lotd of good players in top six clubs here. They need to be given a chance.
Without the Irish boys the team would be struggling. Their strong listen hard and try hard mentality seems to have lifted some of the other average players. Don’t get burned on the beach boys! #republicofpreston.