The Norwich City Player of the Season award is voted for annually by Norwich City's supporters, in recognition of the best overall performance by an individual player throughout the football season. As a mark of respect, the trophy is named The Barry Butler memorial trophy, after the club captain who was killed in a car accident on 9 April 1966.
This is the more prestigious of two official Norwich City awards, the other being the Young Player of the Year accolade. The 2003–04 winner Craig Fleming made clear just how important this award is to Norwich City players, "It is something you dream of winning... it is such a prestigious award". Other awards available are awarded by other bodies, namely the Capital Canaries, Norwich City Independent Supporters Association, and the "Ambassador Club".
Since the inaugural award was made to Terry Allcock in 1967, ten players have won the award twice, and one, Grant Holt, has won the award three times, in 2010, 2011 and 2012.Grant Holt – My Norwich City achievements will take some time to sink in , Eastern Daily Press, 14 May 2012. Retrieved 14 May 2012. Kevin Keelan was the first player to win the award in consecutive seasons, a feat since emulated by Martin Peters, Kevin Drinkell, Iwan Roberts, and Grant Holt. Two winners have gone on to manage the club, Dave Stringer, the 1972 winner, and double-winner Bryan Gunn.
Voting mechanism This award is voted for by the fans of the club. Toward the end of the season, fans are invited to vote, either by submitting a paper slip to the club's Carrow Road offices, or by email or text message, with the winner being the player that polls the most votes. A percentage of the votes from the 'Player of the Month' awards throughout the season also count towards the final votes for Player of the year.
List of winners
† Player currently on the playing staff of the club
SeasonLevel/TierThe official "Level" of competition in the structure of the English league system.NamePositionFor a full description of positions see Football Positions. NationalityCapsIf blank, uncapped at full international level.Notes1967 2 DefenderBy this point in his career, the former forward was playing at "half-back". Inaugural winner.1968 2 Striker 5 1969 2 Winger 1970 2 Defender 1971 2 Winger Second award.1972 2 Defender Went on to manage the club, 1987–1992.1973 1 Goalkeeper First goalkeeper to win the award, and retained it the following year.1974 1 Goalkeeper Keelan was born in India, to English parents. Second award.1975 2 Midfielder 1976 1 Midfielder 67 1977 1 Midfielder 67 Second award.1978 1 Winger 1979 1 Defender 1980 1 Defender No voting for award this year1981 1 Striker 6 1982 2 Defender 1983 1 Defender 12 1984 1 Goalkeeper 43 1985 1 Defender Won the award in his first season with Norwich, who were Football League Cup winners but suffered relegation to the Second Division.1986 2 Striker Won the award in his first season with Norwich, who were promoted back to the First Division as Second Division champions.1987 1 Striker Second award. His goals helped newly promoted Norwich finished fifth in the First Division.1988 1 Goalkeeper 6 1989 1 Midfielder 1990 1 Defender 35 1991 1 Defender 1992 1 Striker 4 1993 1 Goalkeeper 6 Second award.1994 1 StrikerPlayed some games in defence, but scored 28 goals in all competitions and was then sold to Blackburn Rovers for a then national record fee of £5million. 1 1995 1 Defender 1996 2 Defender 1997 2 Winger 1998 2 Defender 1999 2 Striker 15 2000 2 Striker 15 Second award. Consecutive wins for first time since 1987.2001 2 Goalkeeper 2002 2 Midfielder 10 2003 2 Defender 2004 2 Defender 2005 1 Striker / Winger 2006 2 DefenderAlso played some games as a striker. 34 First non–British winner.2007 2 Striker / Winger Second award.2008 2 Striker / Defender 4 The oldest winner at the age of 39; retired at end of season.2009 2 Midfielder / Winger 2010 3 Striker Won the award in his first season with Norwich, who sealed promotion to the Championship as League One champions.2011 2 Striker Second award for the player, whose goals helped Norwich reach the Premier League with a second successive promotion as Championship runners–up.2012 1 Striker First player to win the award 3 times. His goals helped Norwich reach their highest league finish for 18 years.2013 1 Defender 15 First African/ Non European to win the award2014 1 Winger 15 Reserve goalkeeper Carlo Nash actually led the fan poll due to a protest vote.2015 2 Midfielder 2016 1 Midfielder 2017 2 Midfielder 372018 2 Midfielder 2019 2 Striker 102 First winner from continental Europe2020 1 Goalkeeper 15 2021 2 Midfielder / Winger 1 First winner from South America2022 1 Striker 102 Second award2023 2 Midfielder 2024 2 † Midfielder 36 2025 2 Striker 28 First winner from North America20262†Midfielder56Second award.
Summary of wins by playing position
PositionDoherty has been classed as a defender, Sutton as a striker, Allcock as a defender. Number of winnersMultiple winners are counted multiple times.Goalkeeper 7Defender 17Midfielder 12ForwardIncludes strikers and wingers. 17
Summary of wins by country Country Number of winners 37 11 3 2 2 1 1 1 11
Footnotes
References