The 2015 League Express Readers Poll results finally came out last night, with Leeds Rhinos taking the majority of the awards on offer.
Seven of the nine major titles were snapped up by the treble winners, while seven of their stars made the Team of the Season.
Zak Hardaker and Brian McDermott took the major individual accolades, claiming the Player and Coach of the Year respectively, whilst SPOTY runner-up Kevin Sinfield was voted Club Captain of the Year and Player That Will Be Most Missed In 2016.
The other success story was Keighley Cougars, who were voted Club of the Year by League Express readers following their rollercoaster season, with their head coach Paul March claiming the League One Coach of the Year.
And finally, thank you so much for all your votes as we’ve bagged the @leagueexpress Club of the Year award! pic.twitter.com/RDCehMKBx4
— Keighley Cougars (@Cougarmania) December 27, 2015
Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington is delighted with the outcome of the Poll: “It has been our best ever year, both on and off the field,” said Hetherington.
“For our players to win so many accolades is a great credit to them and a reflection of just how well the team has done this season.
“Zak has had an outstanding season on the field, winning the Man of Steel award and getting picked in all three Tests. He has shown much more maturity this season, and there is no doubt he has been a very popular sportsman. You can see that from the way people have voted for him.
“Brian McDermott is the most successful coach in the club’s history, and in the game’s history. Coaching is not a popularity contest and he is not afraid to make tough decisions, while another measure of his ability is what he has done with the USA team.
“Brian is a workaholic and he needs fulfilling all the time. He couldn’t have been a better appointment for the USA. Whether they will appoint Brian for the World Cup is a decision the USA Rugby League will have to make, and you could only imagine that they would want him to be the coach. Anything we can do to help the USA we will gladly do.”
Elsewhere, Leigh, Halifax and Swinton also tasted success as they won individual accolades.
Ryan Brierley was voted Championship Player of the Year, with Richard Marshall scooping the division’s Coach of the Year trophy. Meanwhile, Ritchie Hawkyard, who played a major role in Swinton’s promotion from League One, was named the League One Player of the Year.
AWARD: Congratulations to Richard Marshall, who won the @leagueexpress Championship Coach of the Year! Well earned. pic.twitter.com/xzE1zjPZeD
— Halifax RLFC (@Halifax_RLFC) December 27, 2015
To see all the detailed results, including the Super League Team of The Season and the top five contenders in each category, buy this week’s League Express and read pages 14-15. Alternatively, you can read the paper online here.
