SAFC player awards benefit Foundation

It was a special night on Wearside on Monday as the Black Cats held their annual supporters’ awards ceremony.

More than 300 fans were in attendance – the first time in two years this event has welcomed fans to the Stadium of Light.

Awards were distributed to both the men’s and women’s senior side, with Ross Stewart, Dan Neil, Elliot Embleton all collecting the honours for Alex Neil’s side, with Keira Ramshaw and Neve Herron collecting their respective awards for the SAFC Ladies team.

The winners were recognised by official branches of the Sunderland Branch Liaison Council.

Stewart, the leading marksman in League One this season, landed the Supporters’ Player of the Year award meanwhile Neil scooped up the Supporters’ Young Player of the Year trophy.

Another academy graduate also had his moment in the spotlight as Durham-born Embleton won the David Dent Goal of the Season award for his incredible strike against Wycombe Wanderers.

SAFC Ladies skipper Ramshaw claimed the women’s Player of the Season award as 18-year-old Herron won Young Player of the Year.

Proceeds from the evening are being split between the Foundation and the Great North Air Ambulance.

Jamie Wright, Foundation of Light managing director said: “We would like to express our appreciation to the SAFC Branch Liaison Council who raised money for the Foundation and Great North Air Ambulance Service at the awards.

“The money raised by fans will be donated to our Give a Quid campaign to tackle poverty across communities across Sunderland, South Tyneside and County Durham.”