Frank Fielding
Goalkeeper, Bristol City
After coming through the Blackburn Academy, Frank spent four years as a ‘loan ranger’ with the likes of Wycombe, Northampton and Rochdale before finding his feet at Derby. He made more than 70 first team appearances for the Rams before joining Bristol City in 2013, and he has been an ever-present this season as the Robins look to add the League One title to the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy they won in March.
Aden Flint
Defence, Bristol City
Non-league Alfreton Town will be forever grateful to Aden Flint – not just for the 100-odd appearances he made for the club, but the £60,000 they bagged when he later moved from Swindon to Bristol City for £300,000 in June 2013. A League Two champion with Swindon in 2012, this accomplished defender is well on his way to adding a League One honour to his ever-expanding CV.
Tom Clarke
Defence, Preston
A former England youth international who represented his country at Under 18 and 19 level, Tom has won many admirers at Deepdale since joining the club in 2013 after eight years with first club Huddersfield. He had loan spells at Halifax, Bradford and Leyton Orient (where older brother Nathan is currently club captain) before signing for Preston where he immediately endeared himself to the fans with a late, derby day winner against Blackpool.
Joe Bryan
Defence, Bristol City
The Bristol-born wing back has already made a big impression at Ashton Gate – on and off the field. Son of a heart surgeon and a promising academic in his own right, Joe might well have followed in his father’s footsteps until football came to call. He puts his intelligence to good use in match situations, and his City manager Steve Cotterill comments: “He’s one of the clever ones. He brings a sensibility. He’s level-headed. He’s one of a kind.”
Nathan Byrne
Defence, Swindon
During three years as a pro at Tottenham, Nathan spent time on loan at Brentford, Bournemouth and Crawley before finding a permanent home at the County Ground, Swindon. He joined the Robins initially on loan and later signed on as a free transfer in April 2013. He has been a virtual ever-present this season as Swindon continue their determined push for promotion.
Luke Freeman
Midfield, Bristol City
Luke certainly made a big impression as a teenager, becoming the youngest player to score in the FA Cup (for Gillingham) at the age of 15 – and the youngest first team debutant for the Gills. He joined Arsenal at 16 before making his mark with Stevenage, for whom he made over 100 league appearances. After signing for Bristol City last summer, he has been a virtual ever-present and contributed a few vital goals in the process.
Massimo Luongo
Midfield, Swindon
The son of an Italian father and Indonesian mother, 22-year-old Massimo was born in Sydney and has already represented Australia at full international level on more than a dozen occasions. Having come through the Tottenham academy, he had loan spells with Ipswich and Swindon before signing on a permanent basis for the Robins in 2013. He has been a regular starter and scored some impressive goals.
Korey Smith
Midfield, Bristol City
For obvious reasons, given their runaway success in League One this season, many Bristol City players feature in our PFA team of the year – and few, if any, would disagree with Korey’s inclusion in this all-star line-up. After showing his potential as a youngster with Norwich, he enjoyed brief spells with Barnsley, Yeovil and Oldham before settling in the West Country where he is highly thought of by management, teammates and fans alike.
Dele Alli
Midfield, MK Dons
Born in Milton Keynes, Dele is proud to have come up through the ranks and represented his home town club at first team level. An England international at Under 17, 18 and 19 levels, Dele is already being tipped for senior honours having signed up with Tottenham on a five-and-a-half-year deal earlier this year. Back on loan at MK, he is playing a key role – and providing plenty of goals - in the club’s bid to reach the Championship.
Joe Garner
Forward, Preston
The former Blackburn trainee has been among League One’s leading goal-getters all season and key to Preston’s amazing push for promotion in recent months. A Preston fan as a boy, it was a dream come true for Joe to pull on the famous white shirt in January 2013 – and scoring four goals in the 5-1 demolition of Crewe in March was up there with the highlights of a career which has included spells with Nottingham Forest and Carlisle.
Eoin Doyle
Forward, Chesterfield
The Dublin-born striker’s 32 goals in 69 games for Chesterfield earned him a move to Championship club Cardiff in the transfer window. There were plenty of other suitors who recognised the striking qualities of a player who began his career in Ireland with Shamrock and Sligo before making his mark in Scotland with Hibs. Fourteen goals in the first two months of the season alerted a host of clubs, with Cardiff winning the race for his signature.
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