Fleetwood Town defender Ash Eastham delighted to win player of the year award

Eastham has been an ever present in League One this term, and although 14th is a far cry from last term’s impressive fourth-placed finish the defender says he is proud of his personal season.

Under Uwe Rosler and John Sheridan, there have been shifts from a central defensive duo to three at the back but Eastham was always there.

And that form and the 26-year-old’s increasing leadership qualities have seen him take home his first-ever player of the season award.

Eastham said: “I’m delighted to have received that after a long season, one that I am personally proud of.

“To be rewarded with this caps it off from a personal point of view.”

Eastham and his team-mates will leave Poolfoot Farm for their summer break this week, with a set of new faces to greet the lads when they return in June.

Sheridan took over from Rosler in February, but after completing his 13-game task to keep Town up he now hands over the baton to Joey Barton.

Town needed a never-say- die spirit to beat the drop and Eastham believes his work ethic is why the fans picked him as their player of the season.

He said: “I’d like to think the fans see me as someone who turns up and works hard week in, week out.

“Whether it is a good game or a ropy game you will never see me giving up.

“I’m someone who is always trying to do his best for the team and make sure that things are going right.”