The Canaries had much to smile about at last night's Football League 'Oscars' ceremony - walking away with the award for the 'Best Club Sponsorship' as well as receiving a special commendation in the coveted 'Most Admired Club' category behind winners Crewe Alexandra.

The Canaries had much to smile about at last night's Football League 'Oscars' ceremony - walking away with the award for the 'Best Club Sponsorship' as well as receiving a special commendation in the coveted 'Most Admired Club' category behind winners Crewe Alexandra.

At a glittering dinner at the London Hilton on Park Lane, judges at the inaugural event paid special tribute to the way that City's Football In The Community team had spread the Canary word throughout Malaysia as part of the club's ground-breaking tour to South-East Asia in the summer of 2004, as well as the way in which the new Jarrold Stand has incorporated a Proton Showroom to showcase the club's sponsors products.

“Sponsorship is about far more than putting a badge on the shirt - it's all about understanding about what your sponsors are looking for in terms of the overall relationship,” said City's director of sales and marketing Andrew Cullen.

“And part of that was the work of Ian Thornton and his Football In The Community team out in Malaysia - coaching over 1,000 children in ten different locations across Malaysia. Having that sort of community relationship with our sponsors is something that is very important to the football club.”

Gary Cook, City's key account development manager, added: “We are delighted to get this award, which is testament to the way in which we develop and maintain relationships.

“The award is for the sponsorship by Proton Cars - we have a showroom in the grounds which was opened by Delia Smith in February last year.”

Nominated in five categories, in the current uneasy climate at Carrow Road City's 'Special Commendation' in the 'Most Admired Club' category will be greeted with a grim irony in certain quarters. Nevertheless, given the fact that the 'Most Admired Club' award was as voted for by the 72 member clubs of the Football League, it suggests that outside Norfolk at least the Canaries are still seen as a well-run club.

FourFourTwo football magazine also announced its Top 50 Football League Players at last night's award ceremony with the number one spot going to Sheffield United midfielder, Phil Jagielka, followed by Steve Sidwell of Reading and Andy Johnson of Crystal Palace.

Football League Awards winners:

FOOTBALL AWARDS

Championship Player of the Year sponsored by Coca-Cola: Phil Jagielka (Sheffield United)

League One Player of the Year sponsored by Coca-Cola: Lee Trundle (Swansea City)

League Two Player of the Year sponsored by Coca-Cola: Karl Hawley (Carlisle United)

The Football League Young Player of the Year sponsored by Dodge: David Nugent (Preston North End)

The Wickes Young Apprentice Award For The Football League Championship: Lewin Nyatanga (Derby County)

The Football League Top League One Apprentice sponsored by League Football Education: Scott Golbourne (Bristol City, now moved to Reading)

The Football League Top League Two Apprentice sponsored by League Football Education: Ikechi Anya (Wycombe Wanderers)

Goal of the Year sponsored by Sports TV: Stefan Oakes (Notts County v Yeovil Town, now moved to Wycombe Wanderers)

Most Admired Football League Club sponsored by The League Paper: Crewe Alexandra

INDUSTRY AWARDS

Community Club of the Year sponsored by Asda Stores: Brentford FC

Fan of the Year sponsored by FourFourTwo: Jeff Hall (Chesterfield FC)

Best Club Sponsorship sponsored by Image Directors: Norwich City

Best Club Marketing Campaign sponsored by Marketing Magazine: Preston North End

Best Kit Design sponsored by Ted Baker: Leyton Orient

Programme of the Year sponsored by Ryman the Stationer: Crystal Palace

Best Club Website sponsored by Premium TV: Nottingham Forest

Contribution To Football Award sponsored by BT and voted for by listeners of BBC Five Live: Gerry Murphy - Huddersfield Town

Best Ground - sponsored by Carling and voted for by away fans: Hull City

The Wash & Go Good Sport Award: Lee Bullen - Sheffield Wednesday