Dan Neil has won yet another award, being named the North East Football Writers Association's Young Player of the Year for 2021.
The youngster has started 25 games this season in a promotion-chasing side. Last season, Neil collected his first senior trophy after being involved in Sunderland's Papa John's Trophy campaign. In the awards' 13 years of existence, Sunderland academy graduates have collected it four times.
Neil becomes the third Sunderland player win the award, following on from midfielder Jack Colback in 2013 while future England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford won it twice in 2016 and 2017. On the award, Neil said: "I am honoured to win this award because I know how big it is within the North East, but it was a surprise became this is my first real season playing first-team football and I know the players who have won it in the past. Of course, it means more because it is a local award and there is a lot of top talent within the region, so to be recognised as one of the best is a real privilege."
Last week Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin was named NEFWA Player of the year, and Durham's Sarah Robson won the women’s award. All three will be presented with their awards at the NEFWA annual awards dinner on Sunday, March 6, at the Ramside Hall Hotel and Spa in Durham.
Neil’s teammate Luke O’Nien will be presented with last year’s Sir Bobby Robson Foundation’s personality of the year award and an announcement on this year’s recipient will be made shortly.
