Barry Claims Awards Double

Gareth Barry claimed an awards double by being named both Everton’s Player and Players’ Player of the Season for 2016/17.

Tim Howard signed off his Everton career by collecting the Chairman’s Blueblood award, while Romelu Lukaku also bagged a brace of prizes.

Veteran midfielder Barry was elected as this season’s top performer by his teammates and then added the Player of the Season award by narrowly outstripping Lukaku in an online fans vote.

The 35-year-old midfielder surpassed David James’ record of 571 starts in the Premier League earlier this week and has been typically authoritative at the base of the Blues’ midfield throughout the 38 appearances he’s made this term.

The former Aston Villa and Manchester City man told evertonfc.com: “It's fantastic. It was great for me to be nominated and win these awards. If you look at the talent in our dressing room, for me to be chosen as the Player of the Season, it means a lot to me.

“Both awards mean so much and when you are getting voted by the players you are training with each day and then playing with, any professional will tell you that it means a lot.”

The entire day had been all about Howard’s final appearance in an Everton jersey before his return to the USA and the Colorado Rapids. American flags were everywhere at Goodison and the fans chanted ‘USA’ before, during and after the game.

He had already won the award that Chairman Bill Kenwright introduced in 2009 in order to recognise overall contribution to the Club and was visibly moved by this second success.

Howard gave an emotional interview after receiving a guard of honour following the final whistle. And addressing the crowd and his chairman at the end of the game, he said: “I know the history of the club. I’m leaving tomorrow but this will always be my home.

“All those years ago, Mr Chairman, you brought me to this club and I owe everything to you. Everything you ever need from me, I’m yours.” 


Lukaku’s impressive goals haul helped him land the Young Player of the Season prizes, voted for by supporters on evertonfc.com.

Indeed, the Belgian’s sensational solo effort against Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter final was voted the fans' Goal of the Season.

The Club-record signing’s unforgettable run and finish into the Gwladys Street net, the first of his two goals on the night, won an overwhelming majority of the vote.

Joe Williams was named the Under-21s player of the season after an outstanding campaign for David Unsworth’s side, while the identity of the Everton Giant and the Howard Kendall award winner will be announced later this year.