MICHAEL Jackson was modest and reluctant to take credit for Preston's impressive season as we awarded him the Citizen Player of the Season Award, voted by you, the readers.

"I would like to class this as an award for the whole team," said Michael, pictured receiving the award with reporter Chris Dixon, "as there are a lot of players who deserve it and you can't achieve everything on your own.

"It's great to receive awards like this - it's the icing on the cake for the season.

"But without sounding ungrateful, I'd swap the award and the play-off place for automatic promotion right now."

And on the changing fortunes of PNE this season, the midfield maestro is gearing up for Preston's final promotion push.

He added: "It has been a good season and we had hoped to go straight up to Division One.

"Now we're ready to go again and get it together for the play-offs."

Manager David Moyes congratulated Michael, adding: "Michael has been very consistent all season and thoroughly deserves his award."

It isn't the only award Jacko has picked up this season. On Sunday, he achieved a remarkable double at the players' dinner

Firstly, he received an award from his team mates - the Player's Player of the Year - and then the ones from the fans - Player of the Year.

Other awards presented at the dinner included Youth Trainee of the Year, which went to 17-year-old Mark Wright, who has just been offered pro terms.

Young Player of the Year went to David Lucas, who has shone during his time between the nets while Tepi Moilenan has been out injured.

Goal of the Season went to winger David Eyres, for his blockbuster volley scored away to Wigan on April 13.

Other contenders included McKenna's goal against Walsall in the FA Cup, Basham's volley against Northampton at Deepdale and Nogan's spectacular strike at Burnley. Another Eyres goal, scored against Reading in August, was also short-listed.

At the dinner, David Moyes told his players he wanted his players to win three games to secure promotion - a challenge accepted by skipper Sean Gregan on behalf of the players and fans.

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