Not many men could unite those from the red and blue half of Manchester, but perhaps one man who could, is Manchester City coach Brian Kidd.
The 68-year-old was recently awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the North West Football Awards, and managed to get those from both sides of the divide to pose for a photo.
Speaking after the event, Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany told Quays News: “If you look at the amount of great managers he has worked under and with, and the amount of great players he has been able to take through that journey, it’s amazing.
“There’s not many people who would be bigger than him when it comes to football,” he added.
Kidd wasn’t the only Manchester City employee to be awarded on the night, with David Silva being voted as the Premier League Player of the Year, whilst U-17 World Cup winner Phil Foden scooped the prize for Rising Star.
Manchester City’s Kiera Walsh was selected as Women’s Rising Star and Liverpool’s Caroline Weir won the Women’s Player of the Year Award.
Weir told Quays News: “It’s a huge honour not only to be nominated, but to win the award. I’m very honoured and would like to thank everyone who voted for me.”
In the lower leagues, Ben Pearson claimed the prize for Championship Player of the Year and Bolton defender David Wheater was selected as the League One Player of the Year.
A man who also helped guide his side to promotion during the 2016/17 campaign was Blackpool’s Gary Bowyer. May’s Wembley Play-Off victory secured League One football for the Tangerines, and Bowyer was rewarded with the Manger of the Year Award, above Manchester United’s Jose Mourinho.
“Leading your team out at Wembley has always been a dream when you finish playing and become a coach or a manager,” he said.
Winning the game and going up those steps, something you’ve always seen as a kid, is was just a dream come true.”
Never has an award been so fitting. #oafc https://t.co/ogwGPfOlPg
— Oldham Athletic AFC (@OfficialOAFC) November 13, 2017
Away from the playing side of the game, the late Gordon Lawton received the Unsung Hero Award, for his services to Oldham Athletic, having working for the club for over 30 years. He sadly passed away earlier this year, and his wife Lorraine accepted the award.
Both the Everton and Cerebral Palsy United won the Kick it Out Promoting Inclusion Award, and the Guardian’s Daniel Taylor was selected as Journalist of the Year, for his reporting of child sexual abuse in football.
For a complete list of winners, head to the North West Football Awards website.
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