Paddy Davitt Norwich keeper David Marshall is among the early front runners to be crowned City's 2007/08 player-of-the-year.

Paddy Davitt

Norwich keeper David Marshall is among the early front runners to be crowned City's 2007/08 player-of-the-year.

Voting officially opened today for the prestigious Barry Butler Memorial Trophy. Two-time winner Darren Huckerby edged Dion Dublin out of the running to lift the award last season first won by Terry Allock in 1967.

Scottish international Marshall has turned in a string of consistent displays since completing his permanent move from Celtic last summer. Marshall was named Anglian player-of-the-month for September and October and a percentage of those monthly votes will go forward to deciding the overall annual award.

The 23-year-old is also currently City's best Championship performer and one of the top three keepers in the league's Actim Index ratings having kept nine clean sheets this season.

Marshall was a key factor in the club's 13-match unbeaten New Year league run under Glenn Roeder to help the Canaries pull clear of the relegation zone. Combative midfielder Darel Russell won the December player-of-the-month. The former Carrow Road trainee has struck four goals since returning from Stoke - including a thunderous strike to beat Preston last month but the 27-year-old has blotted his copybook in recent matches.

Russell was dismissed for two bookable offences at Coventry on Saturday in his first game back from a three match suspension for a straight red in City's heavy recent defeat at Leicester.

Ched Evans (February) and Lee Croft (January) have also impressed during the second half of City's campaign while Dion Dublin's impact in his brief Carrow Road stint is sure to attract the sentimental vote in his farewell campaign.

How to vote:

1 By completing a voting slip, which can be located around the stadium at Carrow Road and returning it to the club - Anglian Player of the Year, Norwich City Football Club, Carrow Road, Norwich, NR1 1JE.

2 By email - playeroftheyear@ncfc-canaries.co.uk stating the player, your name, address, contact telephone number and season ticket/membership number (if applicable).

3 By SMS - text NORW “PLAYER NAME” to 88442. For example, to vote for Dion Dublin text: NORW DUBLIN to 88442. Texts are 50p and you will receive a confirmation text back.

Votes must be received by midday on Wednesday, April 23. The trophy will be presented to this year's winner prior to kick off at the final home game of the season against Queen's Park Rangers on Saturday, April 26.

All entries will also go into a free prize draw for three prizes. Top prize is an exclusive day out at City's first home fixture of the 2008/09 season. The prize includes two tickets to the game, a behind-the-scenes ground tour of Carrow Road and two-course meal prior to kick off. An official signed Norwich City shirt and signed football are the other prizes. Draw winners will be notified by phone or email before the final home game of the current season.