The FA Trophy will be the main theme on the 2016 Malta FA Awards night which will be held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre on Friday, Chris Bonett, the MFA vice-president, told reporters at the Centenary Hall yesterday.
The FA Trophy was presented for one last time on Saturday when Sliema Wanderers beat Balzan 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out after a goalless draw.
The historic silverware, donated by the British to the Malta FA in 1933, will be replaced with a newly-designed trophy, commissioned by the English FA.
The cup will be presented to the Maltese association before the October 8 World Cup qualifier between England and Malta at Wembley Stadium.
“The 2016 Malta FA Awards will give a lot of importance to the FA Trophy which will be replaced as from next season,” Bonett said.
“We have various features prepared for the occasion. We’re sure that football enthusiasts will be keen to learn more on this trophy that played a key role in the history of our game.”
Bonett said the awards night will include presentations in 19 categories with the most prestigious accolade of the night being that of the MFA Player of the Year.
The contest will have a new winner this year after 2015 recipient – Andrew Cohen, of Hibernians – failed to make the cut this time round.
The five contenders for the honour are Valletta players Roderick Briffa and Jonathan Caruana, Lydon Micallef and Alfred Effiong, both Balzan, and Bjorn Kristensen, of Hibernians.
For the first time this year, the MFA will also include an award for the best performer in the futsal league. Also a group of match officials will be given special recognition for their contribution to the game.
The Best Goal of the Season will be the only award that will be decided exclusively by the sporting public.
Ten goals were nominated in the first shortlist and the five that receive the highest number of points in the current televoting process will make it to Friday’s final.
Meanwhile, it was confirmed that the draws of the opening round to the 2016-17 BOV Premier League will be held during the awards night.
The nominations
[attach id=507558 size="medium"][/attach]
Player of the year: R. Briffa (Valletta), J. Caruana (Valletta), A. Effiong (Balzan), L. Micallef (Balzan), B. Kristensen (Hibernians).
Coach of the Year: B. Nisevic (Hibernians), J. Scerri (Tarxien), P. Zammit (Valletta).
Young player award: L. Cremona (Valletta), J. Degabriele (Hibs), L. Montebello (Tarxien).
Best foreigner: Jhonnattann (Valletta), Gilmar (Hibernians), F. Falcone (Valletta).
First Division best player: H. Garba (Ħamrun Spartans), R. Kooh Sohna (Gżira United), J. Obaje Aud-Gustine (Senglea Athletic).
Second Division best player: L. Doric (Mġarr United), M. Fagbeja (Għargħur), G. Galea (Sirens).
Third Division best player: A. Agius (Attard), A. Florin (Għaxaq), S. Mohammed (Sta Luċija).
Women’s League best player: S. Farrugia (Birkirkara), D. Theuma (Hibs), S. Zammit (Hibs).
Best youth: J. Brincat (Mosta), J. Degabriele (Hibernians), P. Lapira (Balzan).
GFA best player: S. Bajada (Għajnsielem), E. Vella (Kerċem Ajax), J. Vella (Għajnsielem).
Futsal best player: K. Azzopardi (Luxol), M. Borg (Valletta), J. Milijic (Valletta).