Eric wins Clarets Mad award

Eric won the first of his seven awards on his debut against Southampton at St. Mary's back in January, and didn't look to be even threatening for the title when he won his place in the side at Preston in March and saw Graham Branch collect the man of the match for his second half performance with Steven Caldwell winning it in the following game, the poor 0-0 draw against Luton.

Then it all changed, we won the next three games against Plymouth, Birmingham and Cardiff, and Eric won the man of the match in all three following some outstanding performances in midfield. There was more to come and he collected the award three more times in the last three games of the season with Andy Gray picking up to place in the game against West Brom.

That all left him two ahead of Duff who was in the lead for some time until Eric's late run. It has been a season where no fewer than twenty players have picked up at least one man of the match award.

Eric becomes the second loan player to win our annual award, and the second to have come on loan from Aston Villa. It is no surprise the Burnley fans want to see him back next season.

We now have the goal of the season poll which will be on the site in the next few days.

Previous Player of the Year Winners

2001/02 Arthur Gnohere
2002/03 Graham Branch
2003/04 Robbie Blake
2004/05 Gary Cahill
2005/06 Ade Akinbiyi
2006/07 Eric Djemba-Djemba