Carlisle United's London-based fans have crowned Jon Mellish as their player of the season.

The Blues' longest-serving player has received the award from members of United's supporters' club London Branch.

They praised Mellish's all-action style and said he was a clear winner in their annual supporters' poll.

Mellish, who has played in defence and midfield during Carlisle's League One relegation season, received his trophy from the London Branch's Terry McCarthy this week.

In their Virtual Hit the Bar! newsletter, the branch said Mellish won the vote "by a mile".

"A worthy winner for his commitment, enthusiasm and giving us that day at Peterborough [when Mellish scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 win on Good Friday]."

Mellish, along with fellow defender Sam Lavelle, is set to complete an ever-present league season in the final game of the campaign at Derby County on Saturday.

The former Gateshead man has clocked up 228 appearances and scored 30 goals for the Cumbrians.

Mellish, 26, recently spoke of his commitment to Carlisle and his determination to help the club bounce back from such a poor campaign.

He told the News & Star: "It means a lot, playing for the club.

“I’ve been here five years now. I’ve moved to the area, I’ve moved my girlfriend over and my son, so it’s part of us now.

“They’re fans, my whole family are fans. It means a lot.

“As much as last year was unbelievable, this year hasn’t gone how we wanted, but we’ve got new owners and it looks very positive.

“We’ve got to take this season for what it is but in the long run it can be a positive thing and we have to go again.”

Another award given recently saw Gabe Breeze named United's community player of the season. He received his trophy before last weekend's 3-1 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers.

The News & Star is not running its annual readers' player of the season poll this year following Carlisle's poor League One campaign.