Goalkeeper Jordan Archer was named as the MSC Player of the Year for 2015/16 ahead of the weekend’s action.
The 23 year old stopper moved to The Den from Tottenham Hotspur last summer, and having debuted back in August, he’s gone on to make the No 1 spot his own racking up 44 appearances prior to the weekend.
He’s more than played his part in helping Millwall secure a Play Off spot for the season with hopes of a return to the Championship at the first time of asking.
With 19 clean sheets to his name, on being told he took 47% of the vote he told the official site.
‘I want to thank everyone on the management and playing staff for the way they have helped me this season. The fans have been unbelievable for me too, and made it possible for me to go out and enjoy my football. I’m not alone here as a young player who last summer probably wondered what this season would hold for me. As it turns out, things have exceeded my expectations, and I’m sure the likes of Mahlon Romeo, Ben Thompson, Aiden O’Brien and Fred Onyedinma would say the same. From my point of view, I’ve been grateful to the boys who have played in the back four during the course of the season who have made my job easier.’
He also had praise for goalkeeping coach Kevin Pressman for his continued development.
‘Kevin Pressman, our goalkeeping coach, has helped me immensely. I’ve had my ups and downs this season, but throughout he has been there to offer me advice and encouragement and I can’t thank him enough.’
Lee Gregory and Ben Thompson finished in second and third place respectively in the voting, and manager Neil Harris was delighted with all three.
‘Jordan fully deserves the award. He’s had a terrific first season, progressed a long way and really developed. Jordan will be the first to admit that he’s still got a long way to go and that 40 odd games doesn’t make him a top class goalkeeper, but with 150-200 appearances he would be almost there. But he has done brilliantly and really matured as a character also, which is key for a young man. I’m delighted for him.’
As for the runners up, he went on to add.
‘Lee has scored 24 goals and really kicked on after a slow start to the season when he was struggling with injuries. To score the goals that he has in the time he has is outstanding. Ben is one of our young players who has been given an opportunity at this club, and he has done really well for a sustained period of time now. The three of them richly deserve to be where they are but I think there were a couple more who were really close. Steve Morison probably found himself unlucky not to be in there, as did maybe Byron Webster. They are two guys who have really led by example and I’m sure they were in the fans’ thinking for the award.’
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