Taylor wins BBC award

Date: Friday 04 December 2009

Leicestershire batsman James Taylor has added another honour to his ever-growing collection in 2009 after scooping the Brian Clough Breakthrough Award at the BBC East Midlands Awards ceremony held at Loughborough Universaity last night.

Taylor, who had a great season for County, was initially put forward for the trophy by BBC viewers and listeners alongside Loughborough hurdler Will Sharman and young hockey player David Condon.

The award was then judged by a panel of nine experts, who decided that Taylor’s achievements gave him the edge despite stiff competition from Sharman and Condon, who also enjoyed great years.

Taylor was unable to collect the trophy as he is currently in Pretoria on England’s Performance Programme, but he was delighted to learn he had won the honour. Indeed, he sent a pre-recorded message thanking everyone which was played on the big screen at the awards.

A Leicestershire spokesman said: “James had a fabulous 2009 and we are really pleased that he has won this award. He has gone from strength to strength and we are delighted he has received recognition for that from the experts, his peers and supporters.”

Other award winners from Leicestershire included Hinckley basketball player Lee Penfold, who won medals for Britain at the Special Olympics and also put in lots of time in being an ambassador for the event.

City boss Nigel Pearson, Tigers Head Coach Richard Cockerill and the Loughborough University swimming team also won honours.

In other honours, Nottingham boxer Carl Froch scooped the much-coveted East Midlands Sports Personality of the year award.

For a full list of winners, please click here