Source: Northern_Echo
Lady Black Cat is FA’s Young Player of the Year
SUNDERLAND'S Jordan Nobbs has scooped the women's FA Young Player of the Year award.[LNB] She collected the award at Wembley Stadium, after a string of solid performances for the Lady Black Cats.[LNB] The 17-year-old helped Sunderland to an impressive fifthplace finish in their first season back in the Premier League.[LNB] Nobbs, who joined Sunderland in December 2008, was up against Dan Carter and Kim Little, both of Arsenal Ladies, and came out on top although she didn't even know that she was nominated.[LNB] She said: I went down representing my club. It was pretty amazing to be honest.[LNB] To be in one of the top three was inspirational really, and to go on to win it is a great achievement.[LNB] It means more to you when you win something when you least expect it.[LNB] She started off at Sunderland's Centre of Excellence as an eight-year-old and hasn't looked back.[LNB] Nobbs has a part in Women's Premier League history, as she scored in the defeat of the mighty Arsenal Ladies only their second loss in six years.[LNB] She also played in the team that reached the 2009 FA Women's Cup Final where Sunderland lost to Arsenal 2-1.[LNB] The centre-midfielder is the daughter of ex-Hartlepool United defender Keith Nobbs.[LNB] He was a delighted dad after her performances earned her the award and said: I'm very proud with the way she's going on. I mean she's only 17. She was only 16 when she played in the FA Cup final.[LNB] Her goal is to get into the full England squad. She's worked really hard and has been in the England development centres since she was 12.[LNB] She's got a great future and it's now up to her to work on her game and to get into the England squad.[LNB] Nobbs was a pivotal part in England's U19 triumph in the European Championships last summer.[LNB] They defeated Sweden 2-0 in the final in Belarus, with Nobbs scoring from 30 yards to seal victory.[LNB] Unfortunately, they failed to retain their title after losing 2- 1 to France in Skopje, Macedonia, in this year's final.[LNB] She has been promoted to the U20 team this year, and will take part in their World Cup campaign in Germany next month.[LNB] Nobbs had previously captained the U17 England team at the World Cup, where they finished fourth in New Zealand in 2008.[LNB] The FA Young Player award isn't the first she has won this season.[LNB] She scooped three first team awards at the end-of-season event for Sunderland WFC held at Hetton.[LNB] She was one of three to win the top goalscorer's award, and won both the Players' Player and Manager's Player awards.[LNB] There has also been an introduction of a new Women's Super League, but Sunderland weren't included in the eight teams.[LNB] Nobbs said: I've been approached by top clubs in that league.[LNB] But I've been at Sunderland a while, so it would be a hard decision to make.''[LNB]
