Anthony Patterson has been named North East Football Writers’ Association’s Young Player of the Year for 2022.
The 22-year-old is the second consecutive Academy of Light graduate to win the award, after Dan Neil won it in 2021.
He narrowly beat Middlesbrough's Isaiah Jones and SAFC teammate Jack Clarke to the prestigious award, which was won back-to-back by Jordan Pickford in 2016 and 2017.
Patterson said: “I’m delighted to receive such a special award. To start last season at Notts County before winning promotion, signing a new contract and being given the number one shirt has been a whirlwind, but I’ve loved every minute. I know how special the award is, and to follow in the footsteps of of Jordan Pickford is something I’m very proud of. I’m learning every time I step out onto the football pitch, and hopefully I can continue to help the team progress up the table.”
Tony Mowbray said: “Congratulations to Anthony, it’s a great story. Obviously, I didn't know him until four months ago. He is a very unassuming kid and he keeps himself to himself. What is fantastic is he keeps the ball out of the net using his big frame to his advantage. He has a great personality for a goalkeeper, he's calm and assured and he relaxes the backline. He does the job, every goalkeeper's job is to keep the ball out of the net and he does that exceedingly well. We are working hard on his distribution, we want to to help him get out of his box and spread the centre-halves so that he can play between them with his feet. He's doing that well and as confidence grows, he has a huge future in front of him and hopefully with this football club. He's a big asset."
The awards night, sponsored by William Hill and the FWA, will take place at the Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf Club, near Durham, on Sunday, March 5.
Newcastle's Bruno Guimares won the men's player of the year award, pipping Ross Stewart who was voted second. Durham's Sarah Robson retained the women's player of the year award, with Sunderland's Neve Herron finishing second.
