Patrick Bamford wins Championship Player of the Year award

PATRICK BAMFORD has been named the Championship Player of the Year.

PRIZE: Patrick Bamford has been named the Championship Player of the Year

The Chelsea striker has fired 17 goals in 37 games during his season-long loan spell with promotion contenders Middlesbrough.

After receiving the award he said: "Honestly, I can't put it into words. I was really taken aback to be nominated and then to win it.

"I was actually expecting Troy Deeney with the season he's had to come out with the award but it means a lot to me."

Bamford joined Middlesbrough three weeks after the campaign kicked off and had to bide his time to earn a place in Aitor Karanka's side but he has been in prolific form in recent months to put Boro firmly in the scrap for the Championship title.

And the loanee admits it is a surprise to have won the award considering his slow start to life on Teeside.

He said: "I joined Middlesbrough a bit late, I think I missed the first four or five games of the season and the next five or six I was actually on the bench and I played bit parts.

"It was a little bit frustrating for me and then I finally got my chance and since then it's been a really good season.

"Boro beat promotion rivals Norwich 1-0 on Friday night to move third in the table and Bamford believes the three points could be vital come the end of the season.

He added: "I think you saw that with our celebrations at the end and it wasn't really our best game of the season but we've got the best defensive record in the league and I think you saw that in the last half an hour."

Preston striker Joe Garner won the League One Player of the Year award while Bury's Danny Mayor took home the League Two prize.