Former Bolton captain recognised at Sunday's Football League Awards for his services to the game
Bolton Wanderers legend Kevin Davies was honoured at the Football League Awards on Sunday evening for his service to the game.
Former club captain Davies was handed the Sir Tom Finney award at the gala event in Manchester in honour of a playing career that spanned 22 years, the most notable of which came at Bolton. He scored 85 goals in 407 Bolton appearances, becoming a fan favourite.
The award is presented by The Football League to a player who has had an outstanding career in its competitions, and was renamed permanently in honour of Preston North End and England legend, Sir Tom Finney following his death in 2014.
Sir Tom’s talent, loyalty and commitment marked him out as a truly exceptional player and a model professional. The Football League is proud to honour his memory by presenting this award to those players who, like Sir Tom before them, set standards for others to aspire to.
Davies said: “It is a huge honour to accept the Sir Tom Finney Award. I would like to thank The Football League for the accolade and also all the clubs that I had the pleasure of playing for. After making my debut for Chesterfield at the age of 16 I would never have believed that I would go on playing for the next 22 years.”
“To win the Sir Tom Finney Award is particularly special for me. He was a true legend and fantastic ambassador of the game. To be associated to such a special player gives me an enormous sense of pride particularly as my last professional game was for Preston North End gaining promotion at Wembley.”
Shaun Harvey, chief executive of The Football League, said: “The Football League is delighted to present Kevin Davies with the Sir Tom Finney Award. Not only was Sir Tom a fantastic player but he was also a gentleman and a role model. This award acknowledges someone who follows in his footsteps and it couldn’t go to someone more deserving than Kevin Davies.”
“In his career, Kevin became one of the most respected professionals in English football, displaying both great skill and dignity.”