By Rupert Metcalf
Exeter City supporter Neil Le Milliere was named npower Fan of the Year at the Football League Awards 2013 event in London on Sunday night.
Le Milliere is a co-opted member of the Supporters' Trust which owns the Devon club, a member of Supporters Direct, and a founder of the London Exiles (Grecians fans who live and work in London). He researches travel routes and accommodation for fans who attend away games, and also mans and runs a bottle bar at City's ground with all the profits going back to the club. Despite the distance he lives from St James' Park, he works to improve the experience of other fans and dedicates his time and energy to make sure the club itself is in good shape.
After winning the award, he said: "I have been involved in all sorts of things since starting off as an occasional visitor to the club and ended up on the board of the Supporters' Trust. You do what you can to make it a joy for other people. I live halfway between Arsenal and Tottenham, but my home is where my heart is."
Sue Heritage of npower, who sat on the judging panel, said: "Neil epitomises all of the qualities that make a great fan. Be it representing supporters' interests, co-ordinating travel arrangements or fund-raising for the club, his dedication to Exeter City is outstanding. On behalf of everyone at npower, I would like to congratulate Neil on his well-deserved award."
Plymouth Argyle also enjoyed a welcome winning feeling at the event. The Pilgrims picked up the npower League Two family club of the year award, after earning a place on the shortlist for the overall Football League prize along with AFC Bournemouth, Brighton and Hove Albion, Doncaster Rovers, Oxford United and eventual overall winners Cardiff City.
When assessing the category, judges looked for clubs that best demonstrated outstanding delivery of activity to attract and retain family attendance at games.
Argyle were also nominated for the Perform 'Best Use of Digital' award which went to Swindon Town. The other nominated clubs were Birmingham City, Bristol City, Crystal Palace and Leeds United.
Exeter City striker Jamie Cureton was on the shortlist for the npower League Two player of the year award, along with Bradford City's Gary Jones and eventual winner Tom Pope, of Port Vale.
Plymouth Argyle striker Tyler Harvey was on the shortlist for the npower League Two apprentice of the year award. Along with Rochdale's Jamie Allen, he was pipped to the prize by Barnet's George Sykes.
Two former Plymouth Argyle managers were also nominated for awards on Sunday. Paul Sturrock - who was told on earlier in the day that his services were no longer required by Southend United - was beaten to the Outstanding Managerial Achievement Award by Bradford City's Phil Parkinson. Cardiff City's Malkay Mackay and Yeovil Town's Gary Johnson were also on the shortlist.
Peter Shilton won the final award of the night. The former England goalkeeper is the only player in the Football League's 125-year history to have made more than 1,000 League appearances, and that earned him the Contribution to League Football prize.
Exeter City supporter Neil Le Milliere was named npower Fan of the Year at the Football League Awards 2013 event in London on Sunday night.
Le Milliere is a co-opted member of the Supporters' Trust which owns the Devon club, a member of Supporters Direct, and a founder of the London Exiles (Grecians fans who live and work in London). He researches travel routes and accommodation for fans who attend away games, and also mans and runs a bottle bar at City's ground with all the profits going back to the club. Despite the distance he lives from St James' Park, he works to improve the experience of other fans and dedicates his time and energy to make sure the club itself is in good shape.
After winning the award, he said: "I have been involved in all sorts of things since starting off as an occasional visitor to the club and ended up on the board of the Supporters' Trust. You do what you can to make it a joy for other people. I live halfway between Arsenal and Tottenham, but my home is where my heart is."
Sue Heritage of npower, who sat on the judging panel, said: "Neil epitomises all of the qualities that make a great fan. Be it representing supporters' interests, co-ordinating travel arrangements or fund-raising for the club, his dedication to Exeter City is outstanding. On behalf of everyone at npower, I would like to congratulate Neil on his well-deserved award."
Plymouth Argyle also enjoyed a welcome winning feeling at the event. The Pilgrims picked up the npower League Two family club of the year award, after earning a place on the shortlist for the overall Football League prize along with AFC Bournemouth, Brighton and Hove Albion, Doncaster Rovers, Oxford United and eventual overall winners Cardiff City.
When assessing the category, judges looked for clubs that best demonstrated outstanding delivery of activity to attract and retain family attendance at games.
Argyle were also nominated for the Perform 'Best Use of Digital' award which went to Swindon Town. The other nominated clubs were Birmingham City, Bristol City, Crystal Palace and Leeds United.
Exeter City striker Jamie Cureton was on the shortlist for the npower League Two player of the year award, along with Bradford City's Gary Jones and eventual winner Tom Pope, of Port Vale.
Plymouth Argyle striker Tyler Harvey was on the shortlist for the npower League Two apprentice of the year award. Along with Rochdale's Jamie Allen, he was pipped to the prize by Barnet's George Sykes.
Two former Plymouth Argyle managers were also nominated for awards on Sunday. Paul Sturrock - who was told on earlier in the day that his services were no longer required by Southend United - was beaten to the Outstanding Managerial Achievement Award by Bradford City's Phil Parkinson. Cardiff City's Malkay Mackay and Yeovil Town's Gary Johnson were also on the shortlist.
Peter Shilton won the final award of the night. The former England goalkeeper is the only player in the Football League's 125-year history to have made more than 1,000 League appearances, and that earned him the Contribution to League Football prize.