Last updated at 10:53, Saturday, 31 July 2010

Carlisle United fans are being urged to vote for Ian Harte after it was announced that he has been shortlisted for a prestigious North West player-of-the-year award.

Ian Harte

Harte will battle it out against rivals such as Stockport County’s Johnny Mullins and Oldham Athletic’s Sean Gregan for the title, voted for by supporters, at this year's MBNA North West Football Awards.

Fans can vote for Harte, who had a magnificent season for Carlisle along with players from other divisions at www.nwfootballawards.co.uk which has full details of theshortlist.

The winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony in October.

A panel of expert judges, including PFA chief executiveGordon Taylor, will decide the winners in the other categories, acknowledging the off the pitch achievements of the North West’s clubs and celebrating the contribution that the region’s businesses make to the global football industry.

Gordon Taylor said: “It’s been another exciting year for North West football, with many of the season’s headlines made in the region, and this year’s shortlist certainly reflects that.

“Even when the football clubs have seen mixed fortunes, the players on the list have proven their dedication, their hard work and their talent.

“It will be a big task for the judging panel to decide the winners of all the other awards as we understand that the calibre of entries is really high.

“So for the football-supporting public to take some of the pressure off us and choose the best players is fantastic.”

More than 450 VIP guests from the football and business world are expected to attend the awards, which were launched in 2007 and have become one of the highlights of the season.

Chester-based MBNA, a subsidiary of the Bank of America, is the title sponsor of the event, which takes place on October 11 at Lancashire County Cricket Club.

The shortlisted players are, Premier League: Chung-Yong Lee (Bolton); Graham Alexander (Burnley); Leighton Baines (Everton); Pepe Reina (Liverpool); Carlos Tevez (Manchester City); Wayne Rooney (Manchester United); Charles N’Zogbia (Wigan).

Championship: Charlie Adam (Blackpool);

Andrew Lonergan (Preston).

League One: Ian Harte (Carlisle); Sean Gregan (Oldham); Johnny Mullins (Stockport); Ian Goodison (Tranmere).

League Two: Andrew Procter (Accrington); Ryan Lowe (Bury); Ashley Westwood (Crewe);

Carl Tremarco (Macclesfield); Barry Roche (Morecambe); Craig Dawson (Rochdale).

Blue Square Premier: Stuart Coburn (Altrincham); Robin Hulbert (Barrow).

First published at 09:02, Saturday, 31 July 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk