Ash Taylor named Chronicle & Echo Cobblers supporters' player of the year

Taylor claimed 51 per cent of the fans’ vote to win the award, seeing off strong opposition from second-placed John-Joe O’Toole (32%), with Richard O’Donnell third.

The 27-year-old joined the Cobblers last summer, leaving Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen to sign a three-year deal at Town.

And while it may not have been a great season for the Cobblers team as a whole as they were relegated to Sky Bet League Two, Taylor has certainly stood out as a shining light of consistency.

Taylor has been a first name on the Town teamsheet for three different managers over the campaign, and started 52 of the team’s 53 matches - with the one he missed due to suspension.

Strong in the air and dependable on the ground, Taylor has also been one of the team’s leaders on the pitch, taking over captaincy responsibilities in the second half of the season following Marc Richards’ mid-season departure.

Taylor also knows where the net is, and contributed seven goals to the Town cause, including the second in Town’s final-day 2-2 draw with Oldham Athletic on Saturday.

Now the Merseysider has been rewarded for his performance for the team by those who matter most, the supporters of Northampton Town FC.

The player was presented with his prize at the club’s end of season awards dinner, which was staged at the County Ground on Sunday night.

Taylor also won the players’ player of the season award, and the away player of the season, which is sponsored by Sixfields Travel Club.

John-Joe O’Toole was was named the Nicel Precision Twitter player of the season, while Morgan Roberts, who made his first team debut in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Oldham Athletic, was named the academy player of the year.

Other awards on the night included Kellie Billenness winning the NTFC Ladies player of the year, Chris Tebbutt winning the disability player of the season, and Tommy O’Reilly claiming the clubman of the year gong.

Full list of awards and winners:

The Community Champion of the Season sponsored by Simply Business - David Cornell

The Football and Education Student of the Year, sponsored by the University of Northampton - awarded jointly to Charlie Green and Ben Captainino

The Away Player of the Season, sponsored by Sixfields Travel Club - Ash Taylor

The Disability Player of the Season, sponsored by The Cube Disability - Chris Tebbutt

The Nicel Precision Twitter Player of the Season - John-Joe O’Toole

The Goal of the Season sponsored by George Boyd - Daniel Powell for his goal at Gillingham

The Players Player of the Season, sponsored by Olivetti - Ash Taylor

The Academy Player of the Season sponsored by Bristol St Motors - Morgan Roberts

The Northampton Town Ladies Player of the Season, sponsored by Grange Mortgage and Protection Services - Kellie Billenness

The Northampton Town Player of the Season 2017/18, sponsored by Grosvenor Casino - Ash Taylor

The final award of the night as the Club Person of the Season sponsored by Cobley Desborough. This was presented to long time supporter and volunteer helper Mr Tommy O’Reilly