Hornby Wins Prestigious Academy AwardFraser Hornby says Everton feels like a “second family” after he was honoured with the prestigious Keith Tamlin Award at Thursday night’s Everton Academy Awards.
The accolade is named after the Club’s Vice Life President and honours a player for their “excellence, attitude and application” during their time in the Academy.
Hornby follows in the footsteps of last year’s winner Beni Baningime – who presented awards at the ceremony at Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall, having earlier that day penned a new contract with the Blues – and Tom Davies, who won the award in 2016.
Eighteen-year-old Hornby joined Everton in 2014 from Northampton Town. A midfielder when he arrived at the Club, his skill, physical strength and clinical finishing ability have seen him develop into a talented number nine.
The Scot started the 2017/18 campaign in the Toffees’ Under-18 set-up and his consistent performances led to him being promoted to the Under-23s. By the end of the season, Hornby had become a key figure for David Unsworth’s side. He also made his first-team debut this season, starting in the Blues’ 3-0 Europa League victory at Apollon Limassol in December.
Speaking to evertontv after being presented with his award, Hornby said: “It’s a very prestigious award with the Everton Academy and the players who have won it in the past and what they’ve gone on to do. It’s an honour to be a part of it.
“When I arrived here, moving away from home, all the players and staff were very good at welcoming me and helping me feel at home. Everton feels like a second family now.
“Football-wise, in my later years here [under-18 boss], Paul Tait has been a massive influence on my career. I came to the Club as a midfielder and it was only last year when he saw my instinct for goal and pushed me forward as a striker and I seem to be doing all right at the minute.”
As well as Baningime, special guests on the night included Under-23s captain Morgan Feeney, Under-23s boss David Unsworth and Club ambassadors Ian Snodin and Graham Stuart.
Other award winners included Alex Denny, who won the Tony Heslop award. The winner is chosen by coaches and staff to reward a youngster who “represents The People’s Club with distinction and passion”.
Like Hornby, Denny also broke into the Under-23s side this season. The midfielder has adapted to Premier League 2 football in impressive style, with his passing range and ability to break up play standing out for the young Blues. Denny also made his first-team bow this season, coming on a second-half substitute in the victory over Limassol.
Speaking after collecting his award from Head of Academy Coaching, Sean Lundon, Denny said: “I’ve put in a lot of hard work and this award means the world to me.
“Playing for the first team this season was a dream come true. It’s what I have been working towards for years now – and to make my debut with the lads who have come up through the Academy with me was a great experience.”
Anthony Gordon won the Under-18s Player of the Season award, while Kieran Phillips scooped the Sir Philip Carter Education and Endeavour Trophy.
The Club’s tournament winners throughout the season were celebrated at the ceremony, while the players who have represented their countries at international level were also acknowledged.
Players’ Player of the Season awards were presented to boys from all age groups - from the Under-6s to Under-16s.
Speaking after the ceremony, Academy Manager Joel Waldron said the night showcased the vast array of the talent coming through the Everton ranks. He also emphasised his pride in how the boys carry themselves off the pitch.
“It was great to get everyone together,” he told evertontv. “With the size of the operation we’ve got, it’s not often we get all get into the same room – with players, parents and staff.
“When you see the ability in the highlights on the screen tonight – and to see the boys speak and how articulate they are – it’s fantastic to see them develop as players on the pitch and as people off it.
“At Finch Farm, we have a very grounded set of staff, we have clear expectations and standards for ourselves as staff and for the boys.
“We feel we have got a good environment that the boys can develop as footballers and as people.”
Academy coach Phil Jevons, meanwhile, believes Academy graduate Baningime’s appearance at the ceremony will be inspiration to the boys, with the midfielder having featured regularly in the first-team squad in recent months.
“I think the awards are very important, not just to recognise the players and staff at the Academy, but also the parents,” added the former Blues striker, himself an Academy graduate. “Everybody puts a whole lot of effort in so we can do our jobs properly.
“I think seeing the likes of Beni here is inspiring for the young players, too. The first time they might have seen him could have been playing for our first team, and now he’s here – it brings it all together for them really. And also for the older ones, who have probably played with him and against him in training – it shows the goal is reachable. Beni represents that.”
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