Dion Charles has been named as the League One Player of the Year for 2022/23 at the Northwest Football Awards.
The Wanderers’ striker lifted the prize thanks to his 21 goals for the Whites last season.
In a big night for club and community, Bolton Wanderers in the Community also won the coveted Community Club of the Season (other leagues) award to mark their work in making a difference across Bolton and its surrounding area.
Charles’ award came after he became the first Wanderers’ player in 22 years to reach the 20-goal mark as he helped Ian Evatt’s men finish fifth in League One and lift the Papa Johns Trophy at Wembley, where he was among the goalscorers in a memorable 4-0 final win over Plymouth Argyle.
“Last season was really good for me and the club, reaching the play-offs and winning the Papa Johns Trophy,” said Charles, who sent a video message to the awards' night at the Old Trafford home of Lancashire County Cricket Club which was held 24 hours before Wanderers’ trip to Shrewsbury Town.
“I scored some important goals along the way, so this means a lot to me and thanks for everyone who voted for me.”
Charles is already more than half-way to last season’s tally after scoring his 11th goal of the season in last Saturday’s FA Cup first-round win over Solihull Moors.
And Wanderers’ boss Evatt believes there’s plenty more to come from the Northern Ireland international, who will return to the scene of his first Wanderers’ goal in January, 2022 when he lines up at Shrewsbury on Tuesday night.
“I'm really pleased for him and I think Dion is improving,” said Evatt, who signed the Preston-born striker from Accrington Stanley.
“I still think he is getting better. He's had a different journey to others. He was at Blackpool as a kid and then dipped out of it and had to play non-league and learn his trade and fight his way back.
“I still think at 28 he's improving under me and under the coaching staff and we are seeing the benefits of that. Great credit to him and I'm sure he'll thank his teammates for the service that he's been given. Hopefully he can score a hatful more this season and have some more success.”
Full details of the Community award will follow via the club’s media channels on Tuesday.