The 2017/18 domestic season has now come to a close and here at Skillequal we certainly had a lot to celebrate in the final month of the campaign.
There’s just one place to start, and that’s with Michael Carrick, who has has brought his illustrious playing career to an end.
Michael won 12 major honours and made 706 club appearances (West Ham, Swindon (loan), Birmingham (loan), Tottenham, Manchester United) throughout his time as a professional, with his last match seeing him captain United against Watford at Old Trafford.
The skipper made a farewell speech after the 1-0 victory, thanking the club, staff, fans, friends and family for the support during his amazing footballing journey.
Michael has been a true pleasure to work with. His determination, talent and character is there for everyone to see and, despite hanging up his boots, we look forward to helping him as much as we can as he takes on the role of first-team coach under Jose Mourinho next season.
The midfielder, who collected a special recognition award at the Red Devils’ Player of the Year dinner, also won 34 England caps and was included in squads for the 2006 and 2010 World Cup.
Staying on the subject of leaders, Mark Noble scored his 51st goal – and one of his best – for West Ham United in the 2-0 win at Leicester City.
We must also mention that, three days after that stunning volley, the Hammers captain celebrated his 31st birthday. We hope you had a great day, Mark.
Nobes has also been modelling the Irons’ kit for next season. The strip will be worn in new manager Manuel Pellegrini’s first campaign at the London Stadium.
Also in the top-flight, Lewis Dunk helped Brighton & Hove Albion maintain their Premier League status for another season.
The centre-back, who was was one of only five outfield players to play every single minute of top-flight football for his team during the 2017/18 season – impressed fans and pundits (named in Garth Grooks’ BBC Team of the Season) so much so that he finished as runner-up to Pascal Groß at the Seagulls’ Player of the Year Awards.
We’re delighted to say that other members of the Skillequal family were presented with end of season awards.
Jack Marriott was rewarded with the League One Golden Boot after notching 27 in the third-tier for Peterborough United.
The striker – who we recently caught up with – also collected the club’s Players’ Player of the Season, the foreverposh Away Travel Player of the Year and the foreverposh Player of the Year.
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2️⃣7️⃣ goals for @jackmarriott94 – what a season!
The @SkyBetLeagueOne Golden Boot goes to @theposhofficial forward. pic.twitter.com/W6ewQ4xJGw
— Sky Bet League One (@SkyBetLeagueOne) May 7, 2018
Also in League One, after just falling short of a play-off spot, Portsmouth’s Matt Clarke cleaned up at the club’s individual awards ceremony.
The 21-year-old collected seven honours, including Player and Players’ Player of the Year. Here’s what the Pompey defender had to say about it.
In the Championship, Flynn Downes was recognised for a breakthrough season at Ipswich Town as he was named the club’s Young Player of the Year.
The midfielder made 12 appearances for the Tractor Boys and a further 10 for League Two promotion winners Luton Town, where he spent the last few months of the campaign on loan.
It’s safe to say it’s been a successful 2017/18 season for our players. Hopefully 2018/19 will throw up similar achievements, but, for now, we hope they enjoy a well-deserved break.
