Wanderers duo David Wheater and Josh Vela have both been shortlisted for awards at the Northwest Football Awards 2017, with public voting now open.
Wheater is in the running for Northwest League One Player of the Year, facing competition from Fleetwood Town’s Cian Bolger, Oldham Athletic’s Peter Clarke and Rochdale’s Callum Camps.
Elsewhere, Vela has been nominated for the Rising Star award and is up against the likes of Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye and Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold.
With Wanderers securing an immediate return to the Sky Bet Championship as Sky Bet League One runners-up, Wheater was one of the standout players for Phil Parkinson’s side.
The defender was named both Wanderers’ 2016/17 Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year at the club’s End of Season Awards Dinner last April, having scored nine times and been part of the meanest defence in the English Football League - conceding just 36 goals from 46 games.
Meanwhile, Vela found the net ten times during Bolton’s promotion winning campaign as he established himself as one of the first names on the Whites’ teamsheet, with his efforts seeing him named the club’s joint top-scorer alongside Gary Madine.
All the players now need the backing of their fans around the world to vote for them ahead of this year’s star-studded awards ceremony at the Point, Emirates Old Trafford on Monday 13 November in Manchester, hosted by the BBC’s Dan Walker.
The Northwest Football Awards turns ten this year and has grown in popularity and influence year-on-year, due to its inclusive approach to the game in the region.
Voting for all Player of the Year and Rising Star Award categories is open until noon on Friday, 13 October. Fans can cast their votes and view the full list of nominees HERE.
Click HERE to cast your vote for David Wheater and Josh Vela.