MK Dons stars past and present receive honours at EFL Awards

MK Dons have seen stars past and present honoured by the annual EFL Awards.

Recently retired skipper Dean Lewington was named as the recipient of the Sir Tom Finney Award, which is given to a recently retired player that had an outstanding career in the EFL. Lewington received recognition in light of his 20+ year career in the sport.

The Dons’ current crop also saw 3 players receive places in the Team of the Year for League 2. Dons trio Jack Sanders, Liam Kelly and Callum Paterson made up 3 of the 11 selected as the EFL’s Team of the Season for the fourth tier.

Paterson had been also nominated for the league’s Player of the Year prize, though lost out to Swindon Town star Aaron Drinan.

Dons boss Paul Warne also received a nomination for the Manager of the Year award, though this would instead go to Bromley’s Andy Woodman.

Another player with Dons connections nominated was the Dons’ under-18s captain Rian Silver, who was nominated for League 2’s Apprentice of the Season award. He would lose out to Bristol Rovers’ Ollie Dewsbury.

Lewington received the Tom Finney Award in recognition of a career that has seen make over 900 appearances for MK Dons, which saw him as a virtual ever-present between the Dons’ formation in 2004 and his choice to retire at the end of last season.

Reflecting on the award, Lewington dedicated his award to his family.

He said, “My family have been immensely important – I don’t think you can be a footballer without them.

“It’s a really selfish job, you’re away a lot, so you need people around you to pick up the slack and to allow you to be that person who can dedicate themselves to football.

“I’m incredibly lucky to have my family, the kids and my wife, who allow me to do what I did.

“Looking back at who has won this award previously, and whose name is on it, it’s a huge honour.

“All of us grew up as kids loving football. Sometimes, with decisions and careers, it can disappear, but I think the most important thing is to enjoy your job.

“We’re very privileged to do what we do, and this is the best job in the world and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.”