Sheffield Wednesday’s Reda Johnson won the PFA Player in the Community Award at The Football League Awards 2014.
Johnson received the award at the gala ceremony at The Brewery, London, on Sunday evening in front of over 600 guests from clubs, sponsors and the football industry.
Johnson beat competition from MK Dons’ David Martin and Leyton Orient’s Elliot Omozusi to claim the PFA Player in the Community Award.
Having made over 100 community appearances over the last three seasons and pledged a substantial donation to allow a local school to purchase a computer system for the less physically able at Norfolk Park school, Sheffield, Johnson has thrown himself into the club’s community programme.
Reda said: “Helping the community) is very important. It is part of the job. We play football, we are very happy, football gives us a lot and we have a chance to do a sport we enjoy.
“Sometimes you have to think about other people and try to help people who need it. Sometimes it is not only about money, it is just a smile, you go to see people and try to make their lives a bit easier.
“I love it. It’s like when fans ask me for pictures or autographs, some people are shy but I don’t think they have to be shy. We are paid for that. It is not only 90 minutes on a Saturday, it is a full week and we are well paid to do that.”
For this award, clubs were asked to nominate one player from their first team squad that they felt had played the most significant part in supporting the club’s community programme during the 2013 calendar year.
When assessing the category, judges were looking to recognise the player whose involvement has gone above and beyond that which would normally be expected of a professional player, either across a broad range of community programmes or in support of one particular activity.
To find out more about The Football League Awards, and for a full list of Award categories, please visit www.FLAwards.com.