Aaron Morley wants team success next season after winning a top individual honour for his performances this term.
Morley was picked by his Wanderers’ team-mates as their Players’ Player of the Year and received his prize at Saturday night’s End of Season Awards, sponsored by Franking Sense.
The midfielder topped the vote despite spending only half of the season with the Whites following a successful loan spell at Wycombe in the first half of the 2024/25 campaign.
Morley is now back for good with his performances earning a regular place in Steven Schumacher’s starting line-up since Schumacher’s appointment as head coach at the end of January.
And with the 25-year-old expected to be fully recovered from the ankle injury that forced him to miss Wanderers’ final four games of the run-in, he is targeting an improved tilt at promotion next time around.
“To get voted for by the other players is great and I want to thank them for voting for me,” said Morley. “I think it's been a good season for me, personally, but we could be better as a team and we'll be back stronger and better than ever for next season.
“That's all we can do, get together and give it a right go next season and hopefully we can do that. I think the loan stood me in really good stead for coming back and I feel fitter and better than ever and hopefully I can improve that next season.
“Hopefully, I'm that key player next season and I can keep that shirt on a Saturday and, hopefully, like the gaffer said on stage, we can give it a right go and get promoted out of this league.”
Morley’s award was the one of the highlights of a fantastic night, hosted by BBC Radio 2 presenter and Wanderers’ fan Vernon Kay and attended by over 500 people, at which the Whites honoured their top performers, community champions and supporter of the year.
The achievements this season of the B Team, Youth Team and Women’s Team – who all won silverware – and the contribution made within the local community were also celebrated as director Nick Luckock thanked fans and sponsors for their on-going backing in pledging that Wanderers would make the necessary changes to be ready to ‘go again’.
Season 2024/25 winners
Bolton Wanderers in the Community’s Community Star, sponsored by the Product Care Group: Mike Smith
Supporter of the Year sponsored by Trafford Centre and the Bolton Wanderers Supporters’ Trust: Eric Whitfield
Community Champion sponsored by Precision Marketing Group: Chris Forino
Top scorer sponsored by Bolton CCTV: Aaron Collins
B Team and Academy Player of the Year: Sonny Sharples-Ahmed
Youth Team Player of the Year: Harley Irwin
BWFC Women’s Player of the Year sponsored by Bernsteins Kitchens: Faye Knox
Special recognition award sponsored by AGR Ltd: Julian Darby
Goal of the season sponsored by Heritage Trade Frames: George Thomason (against Blackpool)
Players’ Player of the Year sponsored by Eventura: Aaron Morley
Player of the Year sponsored by Franking Sense: Aaron Collins