The 2010 Football League Awards take place on Sunday 14th March and all this week in the build-up to the prestigious ceremony we will be focusing on those in contention to receive awards on the night. The 'Championship Manager Apprentice of the Year' award recognises the outstanding apprentices in The League and here we explain why each of them has made the shortlist.

CHAMPIONSHIP MANAGER APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR

JUDGING CRITERIA:
Players eligible for this award are those in the second year of their apprentice (i.e. be in his 'Under 18' year and be registered as either a second year scholar or as a first year professional). Judges looked at the record of the player in all competitions since he became an apprentice alongside his educational attainment, disciplinary record and any other outstanding achievements.

CHAMPIONSHIP SHORTLIST:

LEE HODSON: WATFORD
For their last game of 2008/09, Lee Hodson made his Watford debut as a substitute in a 3-1 victory against Derby County. He went on to make his first start against Swansea City in September this season, and the rest as they say is history. Lee has been an ever-present fixture in the First Team ever since, having played 23 games to date. Beforehand Lee played 26 times for the Youth Team making him the second highest appearance for that season. On top of this Lee currently is on track to complete his BTEC National Certificate Course as well as his Level 2 Coaching Certificate. The judges thought extremely highly of Lee, stating that he "is already an established first-team player who has the attitude, appetite and ability to go all the way. A credit to his club."

ADAM MATTHEWS: CARDIFF CITY
Adam Matthews joined Cardiff City at 8 years old and has gone on to make a significant impact for the club both on and off the pitch, including seeing him represent The Football League at 10 Downing Street and delivering a speech to Gordon Brown. On the pitch his talents have caught the eye of many in the game. At 16, Adam was named Football Association of Wales Trust player of the year and on his 17th birthday he signed his first professional contract. Geraint Twose (Assistant Academy manager) sums up Adam as "a shining example to every young player on how to perform on the pitch, and also how to behave off the pitch. Adam not only has the ability, but also the drive to improve, this is hopefully only the beginning of a successful career in football, and one which all the players and staff at the Academy are already very proud of". The judging panel echoed Twose's praise for Adam who they felt, while being one of the most highly rated young players around, has an attitude off the pitch is which excellent, is very successful academically and clearly has earned huge respect from his peers.

NATHAN MODEST: SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Striker Nathan Modest joined Sheffield Wednesday at just 8 years old and has played in over 40 Youth Team games. He made his First Team debut at 17, his first year of being an apprentice, and has now played in 5 First Team matches under his belt. His dedication as a young player has been praised by Sean McAuley (Academy Manager) who stated that Nathan "coped well…continually managing the transition of playing in the U18 squad and moving up to the First Team level and back again". His on field behaviour is immaculate and as a result was chosen to captain the U18 team. Off the field Nathan has attended Sheffield Wednesday's study support programme with local children, as well as the patron evening and going to local schools to talk to them about becoming and indeed being a footballer. Nathan has proved himself to be a successful role model on behalf of the academy.

LEAGUE 1 SHORTLIST:

TOM ADEYEMI: NORWICH CITY
Norwich City's nomination of Tom Adeyemi for Apprentice of the Year shows how a player can perform exceptionally both on and off the pitch. Tom has made 8 starts for the first team as well as 9 appearances as a substitute. His performance on the pitch against a Manchester United XI caught the eye of the press with one headline stating that the "youngster shines". Tom was one of 6 players from around the country to be invited to Number 10 Downing Street in November 2009 to represent the PFA at the Apprentice Celebration. Perhaps what is most outstanding though is the commitment Tom shows to his education. At 18 years old Tom has achieved A* or A grades throughout his education and is on course to achieve similar grades in his A levels. As Ricky Martin the Academy Manager stated he "manages the balance of football and education incredibly well for someone so young and so focussed on becoming a successful professional footballer". As one of the judges sums up he "is clearly a credit to his profession. Quite how he combines superb academic achievement with the effort required to make his mark as a professional footballer I do not know. He is a superb role model for any youngster."

PIETRO PALLADINO: WYCOMBE WANDERERS
A fairly new apprentice to Wycombe Wanderers, Pietro Palladino has however clearly made a substantial impression on the apprentice scheme. Pietro has made 34 appearances for the Youth Team with an impressive 14 goals scored. On top of his obvious skill and ability on the pitch, his commitment to education is beyond most pupils his age. He has completed 6 additional units on the BTEC course and all his units that have been processed have achieved distinction level. The testimonies in his application reflect how proud the club are of him and the impact he has made across all departments within the club. Wycombe's Head of Youth Development, Richard Dobson described Pietro as "enthusiastic, hard working, conscientious, extremely polite and very meticulous in everything he does. His attitude on the pitch reflects his attitude off it". The judging panel very much agreed, stating that Pietro is a real credit to his club.

AIDAN WHITE: LEEDS UNITED
Aidan White has shown he has real footballing ability having appeared in 14 First Team games as well as 19 youth team matches, and has even played internationally for England U19 against the Czech Republic. Aidan has a clean disciplinary record, with special mention of his attendance and punctuality as well as being pro-active with his role in the community. Particularly highlighted in Leeds United's nomination of Aiden was his example as a role model both on and off the pitch to the U16 and U15 groups coming through the academy. The judges stated that they were impressed by the amount of first team matches that Aidan had played at the age of 18 but overall it is his commitment to football and his studies makes him a worthy contender for Apprentice of the Year.

LEAGUE 2 SHORTLIST:

COREY BARNES: DARLINGTON
Since joining the club in 2007, Corey has already appeared in 32 Youth Team matches and an impressive 8 First Team matches. Corey has learned his trade as a midfielder, but in first team matches has been required to play right back, something that has not phased him and instead has seen him take the opportunity to show his array of skills in this position, to the extent he was named Man of the Match against Burton Albion. Corey also has a clean disciplinary record which has led him to be Captain of the Youth Team and be considered an excellent role model. In particular his excellent attitude and punctuality are attributes that show he has a bright future. Lastly, as well as everything mentioned Corey is on course to complete all his education framework.

CHRISTOPHER BROWN: ROCHDALE
Christopher Brown joined Rochdale in the 2004/05 as an under 13 and his development has been such that he made his first team debut at Bradford City in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy this season, and as well as this has been named a sub on 8 other occasions. In addition to action for the first team, Christopher has played in 25 reserve team matches and has 40 youth team appearances to his name. As well as undoubted playing ability, Christopher has also successfully completed eight modules, most of these of which have achieved a merit grade. He also achieved 7 GCSE's all of which were at grade A-C. Lastly but certainly by no means least, Christopher applies himself not only to football and his studies but he has also undertaken some coaching with the Centre of Excellence and abseiled 90 foot down Botany Bay to raise money on behalf of Cystic Fibrosis. This off the field activity highlights his achievements and shows how much he is willing to go that extra mile, no doubt something also reflected in his passion for the game.

KYLE HAYNES: CHELTENHAM TOWN
At the age of 17 and 2 months, Kyle Haynes is the youngest player in Cheltenham's history to play League football, and this has resulted in a recent offer for his first professional contract. Kyle has already established himself within the first team with 17 appearances so far, with 13 of those taking place this season. Kyle's progression is not just limited to on the field though - he has managed to improve his college and NVQ work dramatically and is now achieving merit grades. During this year's FA Youth Cup competition, Kyle managed to score 6 goals in 3 games, an impressive feat for someone learning their trade. As one judge summed up "Kyle has done enough to earn a pro contract after making a big impression as an apprentice."