McCormack scoops Player of the Year award (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

SWINDON TOWN: McCormack scoops Player of the Year award

5:50am Saturday 5th May 2012 in Sport By Andy Warren

McCormack scoops Player of the Year award

ALAN McCormack has capped an impressive first season at the County Ground by being voted as the Swindon Advertiser Town Player of the Year.

The Irishman has been a revelation since switching from his regular central midfield position to the heart of the Town defence, and has looked comfortable alongside either Aden Flint or Joe Devera as Paolo Di Canio’s side enjoyed a superb second half of the season which ultimately resulted in the League Two title.

The 28-year-old also scored one of the most memorable goals of the season away at Northampton, which resulted in Di Canio rushing down the touchline to celebrate with his players, but he was surprised to be given the award.

“It is a great honour to see the work you put in for the team and for yourself rewarded and recognised by the people who come and watch you play every week,” he said.

“I was looking back at some of the names who have won the trophy in the past, and there are some brilliant players who have done a lot of good things for the club, so it is great to be included on that list now.

“It was not something I was expecting really because there are so many good players here who have played very well all year, and in my eyes Paul Caddis has had an exceptional year and I thought he would clean up because he has been sensational.

“Matt Ritchie and Simon Ferry have both been good, and Paul Benson has scored some vital goals, and the list goes on.

“Every credit to everyone at the club for pushing each other on, and at every other club I have been at there have been one or two in the frame, but here it is more like nine or ten.

“That shows how good we are as a team.”

McCormack is proud of how he has adapted to life at the centre of the Town defence, and is looking forward to testing himself next season.

“The position has come a lot more naturally to me than I thought it would do, but we have done a lot of work in the first half and more in the second, and I feel comfortable there now.

“I just need to carry on with all the hard work now to make sure that I can do it again in League One.”

Di Canio insisted McCormack is a worthy winner, but also believes other members of his squad had played just as well.

“McCormack was a surprise when I picked him to play in defence because he was not natural there, but he is a real leader and he did very well for us all season.

“It is fair that he won, and I am happy that he won,” he said.

“Paul Caddis deserved it, as did Matt Ritchie, Simon Ferry and Wes Foderingham, they deserve together to win it because all of them had great season.”