The Southampton striker Rickie Lambert was named npower Championship Player of the Year on Sunday night. The 30-year-old has been in excellent form for Saints this season, with his 21 league goals propelling the promoted club to top of the division.

Lambert beat his team-mate Adam Lallana and the Cardiff midfielder Peter Whittingham to the award in what has been a remarkable first season in the second tier of English football. "When Saints got to the Championship I was at a point in my career where I was mentally strong," he said. "I came into the Championship at the right time and I was confident I could do it.

"I am happy at Southampton. My family are happy and I am in a great team as well. This award has surprised me a little bit as I thought my team-mate Ads was going to get it. I am surprised but delighted. I did not think I was going to be so nervous walking to collect the award but it was so long and my mouth dried up."

Lambert has proved prolific for Southampton since joining from Bristol Rovers in 2009, netting 82 goals in 149 appearances. "I know everyone says you don't get anything without hard work but that is definitely the case," said Lambert, who has played for Macclesfield, Stockport and Rochdale after leaving Blackpool.

"I wish I had been a bit more professional earlier in my career but that has helped me to where I am now," he said. "I wasn't confident in myself. I wasn't really confident I could get to the Championship or Premier League. I didn't really push myself but over time I have been pushed further forward. The confidence came and Southampton came in for me and I kicked on."

The Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha took home the trophy for Football League Young Player of the Year while the Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes picked up the League One Player of the Year award and the Swindon midfielder Matt Ritchie took home the League Two accolade.

Gus Poyet was awarded the inaugural Football Manager Outstanding Managerial Achievement award for transforming Brighton and the Contribution to League Football award went to the Shrewsbury Town boss Graham Turner.

Player of the Year

Championship: Rickie Lambert (Southampton)

League One: Jordan Rhodes (Huddersfield Town)

League Two: Matt Ritchie (Swindon Town)

Football League Young Player of the Year

Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)

Contribution to League Football

Graham Turner (Shrewsbury Town)

Goal of the Year

Peter Whittingham (Cardiff City)

Football Manager Outstanding Managerial Achievement

Gus Poyet (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Apprentice of the Year

Championship: Gael Bigirimana (Coventry City)

League One: Jordan Cousins (Charlton Athletic)

League Two: Nick Powell (Crewe Alexandra)

Family Club of the Year

Portsmouth

League 1 Winner: Huddersfield Town

League 2 Winner: Swindon Town

Unsung Hero

Paul Bradley (Preston North End)

Highly Commended:

Norman Rimmington (Barnsley)

Warwick Rimmer (Tranmere Rovers)

Community Club of the Year

Rotherham United (North-East)

Regional Winners:

Bury (North-West)

Milton Keynes Dons (South-East)

Notts County (Midlands)

Portsmouth (South-West)

PFA Player in the Community

Tamika Mkandawire (Millwall)

Best Marketing Campaign

Hartlepool United – 'Are You Coming To Pools?'

Highly Commended: Burnley – 'Clarets Player: Bringing The Boys To You'

Best Matchday Programme

Burnley – 'Claret & You'

League One Winner: Notts County – 'The Mag'

League Two Winner: Swindon Town – 'Swindon'

Fan of the Year

Sue Pollard (Plymouth Argyle)

Championship Winner: Paddy Cronesberry (Middlesbrough)

League One Winner: Lynn Noon (Preston North End)