2019 Championship and League 1 award winners revealed

Drew Darbyshire 25 Sep 2019 9:07 AM

Toronto full-back Gareth O’Brien was named the Championship Player of the Year on Tuesday night.

The Championship and League 1 awards ceremony took place at the Hilton Hotel in Manchester on Tuesday evening, with representatives from each club in tier two and three in attendance.

The main prize of the night was claimed by O’Brien, who beat Wolfpack team-mates Andy Ackers and Jon Wilkin to be named the Championship Player of the Year.

Warrington fans will be pleased as their new signing Matty Ashton was awarded the Championship Young Player of the Year accolade due to his impressive performances for Swinton.

The Championship Coach of the Year was confirmed as James Ford, who led York to the play-offs just one year after they were promoted from League 1.

The Knights also were named as the Championship Club of the Year, whose average attendance has been 2,125 at Bootham Crescent in 2019.

Whitehaven enjoyed a solid night, with Papua New Guinean Dion Aiye claiming the League 1 Player of the Year award.

Haven’s Andrew Bulman took the Young Player of the Year award in League 1 and Whitehaven boss Gary Charlton was announced as the League 1 Coach of the Year.

Keighley are the 2019 League 1 Club of the Year, with the Cougars turning around their fortunes after being in financial ruin earlier in the season.

Championship and League 1 award winners

Championship Player of the Year – Gareth O’Brien (Toronto Wolfpack)

Championship Young Player of the Year – Matty Ashton (Swinton Lions)

Championship Coach of the Year – James Ford (York City Knights)

Championship Club of the Year – York City Knights

League 1 Player of the Year – Dion Aiye (Whitehaven)

League 1 Young Player of the Year – Andrew Bulman (Whitehaven)

League 1 Coach of the Year – Gary Charlton (Whitehaven)

League 1 Club of the Year – Keighley Cougars