EFL Awards 2026: Hayden Hackney and Frank Lampard win big

With the final weeks of the season set to deliver a thrilling finish across all three Football League divisions, the 2026 EFL Awards recognised the players and managers who have set the standard.

Held on Sunday night, the ceremony honoured those who have driven promotion bids, sparked play-off pushes and produced standout performances across the Championship, League One and League Two.

From established stars to emerging young talent, the awards reflected the quality and depth on show this season.

Here’s a breakdown of the night’s major winners and who won what.

For exclusive stories and all the detailed EFL news you need, subscribe to The Football League Paper website, digital edition, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day.

Players of the Season

Championship

Hayden Hackney may have been left frustrated after watching Middlesbrough drop two points in their automatic promotion race, as Ipswich Town snatched a late equaliser from the penalty spot, but he still earned recognition for his season by claiming the EFL’s top prize.

He has five goals and seven assists to his name across 38 games so far this season.

The 23-year-old midfielder beat Carl Rushworth (Coventry City), Femi Azeez (Millwall) and Zan Vipotnik (Swansea City) to the award.

He said: “It’s been chaos this season if I’m being honest, but we had a good result today, unlucky not getting three points, and hopefully we can get back up there.

“I grew up watching this club, going to the games just a normal fan, and then being able to put on that shirt and play at The Riverside is unbelievable.

“There’s a little bit more responsibility because of that, but I enjoy it. I’ve got to thank Kim [Hellberg] coming in so much, along with all the coaching staff.

“I think he’s given me that almost freedom just to go and express myself, and do what I do best. Almost giving me the freedom to be more attacking.”

League One

Leyton Orient striker Dom Ballard capped a remarkable night by being named League One Player of the Season.

It completed a double for the 21-year-old, who had earlier picked up the Young Player of the Season award after a standout campaign leading the line for the O’s.

His 22 goals see him lead the goalscorers chart so far in the third tier and see off competition for this award from Owen Bailey (Doncaster Rovers), Jack Moylan (Lincoln City) and Sonny Bradley (Lincoln City).

He said: “It’s a massive achievement. Winning Young Player of the Year was enough, but to win this is massive.

“I came off a tough year last year and then the season before I got injured.

“The gaffer took me in his stride, the players as well, so I think it’s just a collective unit that helped me build my confidence and allow me to do what I do best.”

League Two

Swindon Town striker Aaron Drinan was named League Two Player of the Season after an impressive campaign in front of goal.

The forward has been a key figure for Town, consistently finding the net 22 times so far and leading the line as the Robins chase promotion.

Drinan won the award ahead of Bromley pair Mitch Pinnock and Omar Sowumni, as well as Callum Paterson (Milton Keynes Dons).

He said: “My goals are down to the team putting chances on a plate for me, and I’ve been lucky enough to take them.

“It’s been up and down for us to be honest, but we are hanging on in there and we’ll keep going until the end.

“Words can’t describe playing under Ian Holloway; every day is a different story.”

Managers of the Season

Championship

Frank Lampard was named Championship Manager of the Season after guiding Coventry City back to the Premier League in his first full season in charge.

The Sky Blues sealed automatic promotion on Friday, with a point against Blackburn Rovers enough to confirm their return to the top flight.

He said: “I was emotional the other night because it dawned on me in that moment what we had achieved.

“A club that I walked into 16 months ago that had gone to the depths and back up – football is always about people and always about supporters, and I’d missed it.

“You have to credit Mark Robins for what he did at the club, the owner Doug King, and appreciate the moment. I’m working with a great group of players.

“When you walk into a group, forget the football talent – that’s obviously important – but when they look after themselves, they train well, they support each other, they have a laugh, that’s the gold.

“It’s an incredible story and I’m pleased to be a part of it.”

Lampard beat Alex Neil (Millwall), Sergej Jakirovic (Hull City) and Kim Hellberg (Middlesbrough) to the award.

League One

Lincoln City boss Michael Skubala was named League One Manager of the Season after guiding the Imps to a historic promotion.

A win away at Reading sealed a return to the second tier for the first time since 1961, capping a remarkable campaign at Sincil Bank.

He said: “The city is buzzing, everybody is just over the moon with what the lads have done.

“It’s been a sensational group of players to work with every day. They work so hard, but we are still trying to push because we know we have Cardiff on our tail.”

Skubala beat Brian Barry-Murphy (Cardiff City), Graham Alexander (Bradford City) and Alex Revell (Stevenage) to the award.

League Two

Bromley boss Andy Woodman grabbed the League Two Manager of the Season award after guiding the club to promotion and capping another landmark year at Hayes Lane.

Woodman has delivered sustained success since taking charge, with two promotions in three years alongside an FA Trophy final during his tenure.

He said: “I’m standing up here with this award but I think my team, staff and players should take a lot of credit.

“We set ourselves a goal and I think there were one or two raised eyebrows when we said we’d get promoted, but we’ve smashed it out of the ballpark.”

The 54-year-old beat Paul Warne (MK Dons), Micky Mellon (Oldham Athletic) and Neil Harris (Cambridge United) to the award.

BOOST: Andy Woodman celebrated another promotion after guiding Bromley up from League Two.
PICTURE: Alamy

All the winners from the 2026 EFL Awards

Championship

EFL Championship manager of the season: Frank Lampard (Coventry City)

Player of the season: Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough)

Young player of the season: Jordan James (Leicester City)

Apprentice of the season: Louis Page (Leicester City)

Team of the Season: Carl Rushworth (Coventry City), Tristan Crama (Millwall), Callum Doyle (Wrexham), Josh Tymon (Swansea City), Milan van Ewijk (Coventry City), Matt Grimes (Coventry City), Sorba Thomas (Stoke City), Femi Azeez (Millwall), Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough), Haji Wright (Coventry City), Zan Vipotnik (Swansea City).

League One

EFL League One manager of the season: Michael Skubala (Lincoln City)

Player of the season: Dom Ballard (Leyton Orient)

Young player of the season: Dom Ballard (Leyton Orient)

Apprentice of the season: Sulyman Krubally (Burton Albion)

Team of the Season: George Wickens (Lincoln City), Tendayi Darikwa (Lincoln City), Charlie Goode (Stevenage), Sonny Bradley (Lincoln City), Joel Bagan (Cardiff City), Ollie Norwood (Stockport County), Owen Bailey (Doncaster Rovers), Jack Moylan (Lincoln City), Amario Cozier-Duberry (Bolton Wanderers), Kyle Wootton (Stockport County), Dom Ballard (Leyton Orient).

League Two

EFL League Two manager of the season: Andy Woodman (Bromley)

Player of the season: Aaron Drinan (Swindon Town)

Young player of the season: Daniel Kanu (Walsall)

Apprentice of the season: Ollie Dewsbury (Bristol Rovers)

Team of the Season: Mathew Hudson (Oldham Athletic), Kelland Watts (Cambridge United), Jack Sanders (Milton Keynes Dons), Omar Sowunmi (Bromley), Harvey Rodgers (Grimsby Town), Mitch Pinnock (Bromley), Liam Kelly (Milton Keynes Dons), Isaac Hutchinson (Cheltenham Town), Sammy Braybrooke (Chesterfield), Aaron Drinan (Swindon Town), Callum Paterson (Milton Keynes Dons).

Other

Community club of the season: Plymouth Argyle

Community project of the season: Blackburn Rovers (Dads FC)

Player in the community: Will Vaulks (Oxford United)

Diversity award: Bristol City (We Are City)

Environmental award: Bradford City (Greener Bantams)

Fan engagement award: Huddersfield Town (Terriers Together Travel)

Club employee award: Wendy Thomas (Middlesbrough)

Sir Tom Finney award: Dean Lewington

Contribution to league football award: Brenda Spencer (chair of trustees, Wigan Athletic Community Trust)

READ MORE: Ipswich Town 2-2 Middlesbrough: Tractor Boys strike late against Boro to move back into top two