TOWN'S popular Academy manager Gerry Murphy has received a top award from the Football League.
The genial Irishman who has been at the club for 18 years received the Contribution to Football award at the inaugural awards ceremony at the London Hilton yesterday.
Murphy pipped long-serving Crewe manager Dario Gradi and Bradford City player David Wetherall in the category which was sponsored by BT.
The award was voted for by listeners of Radio Five Live.
Last season Town had more Academy players graduate to first team level than any other club in the country, and 13 of the current squad have come through the youth ranks.
Last week, Tom Clarke played for England Under 19s while James Hand represented the Republic of Ireland Under 21s.
Dublin-born Murphy, a top Huddersfield amateur footballer who cut his coaching teeth with Rawthorpe WMC and Bradley Rangers, joined Town on the invitation of then Youth coach George Mulhall in 1988.
"I'm shocked," he said. "I never expected an award like this. I'm honoured to even be considered and to win it is unbelievable.
"My full-time and part-time staff are brilliant and I'd like to thank them.
"I'm just a small cog in a big wheel. You're only as good as the people around you and we are a real team."
FourFourTwo magazine announced its Top 50 Football League Players at the ceremony.
Top man was Sheffield United midfielder Phil Jagielka followed by Steve Sidwell of Reading and Andy Johnson of Crystal Palace.
Swansea's Lee Trundle was named League I Player of the Year. Jagielka and Carlisle's Karl Hawley were the Championship and League II winners.
Hull's KC Stadium was voted as the best ground by away fans.
