Wrexham defender Max Cleworth has been recognised for another brilliant campaign in Phil Parkinson’s back line.
Saturday afternoon saw Wrexham beat Lincoln City 2-0 away from home, finishing the season off in style.
Wrexham had already clinched promotion to the Championship but still served up a professional display on the final day of the League One season.
Elliot Lee and Ryan Longman grabbed the goals, handing Wrexham one final victory before heading off to Las Vegas.
Wrexham players had just one more commitment before that trip, turning out for an end-of-season celebration at the STōK Cae Ras.
Paul Mullin won Goal of the Season for a brilliant volley against Blackpool, but his streak as Player of the Season came to an end.
Wrexham players on Max Cleworth
Ollie Rathbone landed the Player of the Season award, with Max Cleworth taking the Young Player of the Season award.
Cleworth was named in the League One Team of the Season and was a strong contender for the top award at Wrexham, only for Rathbone to fend him off.
Cleworth has now won the Young Player of the Season award three times, with Wrexham players raving about him upon winning this latest award.
Wrexham posted a clip of Cleworth’s teammates offering words of praise, with some experienced leaders from this squad offering huge credit for the defender…
“He’s been consistently brilliant all season, obviously we’ve got a really good clean sheet record, which he’s been part of,” said captain James McClean.
“You’ve been outstanding all season, a great lad, a credit to the club and your family. I’ve loved playing alongside you, all the best,” said defender Eoghan O’Connell.
“Such a young age, new level, coming up to League One. He’s played the majority of games, the number of goals he’s scored and the clean sheets, I just don’t think you look far past that. He’s such a lovely kid as well, that’s what makes it 10 times better. He deserves everything that’s going to come for him,” said Andy Cannon.
“I think he’s been the heart and soul of the team at times and he’s led by example,” said Matty James.
“I think you’ve been superb all season, you’re an unbelievable lad, you’re an unbelievable professional and you deserve it,” said Elliot Lee.
“He’s had a great season; goals, assists, clean sheets – you can’t get much better than that,” said Ryan Barnett.
“Lots and lots of games played – a real staple to our dressing room,” said Jack Marriott.
“Fellow defender, I think he’s been very consistent all season. He got in the Team of the Season, so it’s kind of got to be him, and he’s young as well,” said Dan Scarr.
Max Cleworth deserves all the praise
Those words should mean an awful lot to Cleworth, and such enormous praise is absolutely warranted.
We have seen Wrexham make some brilliant signings since Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ takeover.
Recruitment has been almost flawless for Wrexham and has been a major driver behind three straight promotions.
That is not the case with Cleworth, though, as the defender has emerged through the Wrexham ranks.
Still only 22, Cleworth has become undroppable for Wrexham and is a shining beacon for the club’s academy.
Any young talent at Wrexham should be dreaming of becoming just like Cleworth, growing from a promising prospect to one of the first names on the team sheet.
The best compliment we can pay to Cleworth is that he makes every step-up in quality look absolutely seamless.
Cleworth just looks so unflustered and so composed, all whilst performing as if there are more gears to come.
The Championship will be a big test for Cleworth, but so was National League football as a teenager and so were both League Two and League One.
Cleworth has stepped up brilliantly and we would predict a few Player of the Season awards to come, once he no longer qualifies for Young Player of the Season.