Johnny Warren Medal to be awarded to A-League MVP

Football Federation Australia Chief Executive Officer John O’Neill today announced that the Hyundai A-League players' player of the year award will be known as the Johnny Warren Medal, in honour of one of Australia’s greatest ever footballers and sporting ambassadors.

The timing of the announcement coincides with the one year anniversary of the passing of Johnny Warren who passed away on 6 November 2004.

An inspirational player and former national team captain, Johnny dedicated his life after his playing days to the promotion of football in Australia and around the world as a coach, media commentator and football ambassador. In recognition of his tireless efforts in promoting the game, Johnny was presented with the FIFA Centennial Order of Merit in July 2004.

"As we approach the one year anniversary of Johnny's passing it is fitting that we pay tribute to him by honouring the Hyundai A-League players' player with an award named in recognition of one of Australia's great ambassadors," said Mr O'Neill.

"We are committed to ensuring that Johnny's legacy is carried on and we'd like to thank the Warren family for allowing us to name this award in his honour."

In memory of Johnny Warren, Hyundai A-League clubs will dedicate their Round 11 matches to the tireless work and vision of this great Australian. Johnny’s daughter, Shannon Warren, will also be a special guest at the Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC fixture at Central Coast Stadium on Saturday 5 November.

In addition to the players' player award, the player of the match in the Hyundai A-League Grand Final will receive the Joe Marston Medal in honour of the great Joe Marston, an Australian national team representative in the 1950s who also appeared in the 1954 FA Cup Final for Preston North End. The Marston medal will be voted on by representative media on Grand Final day.

Other Hyundai A-League awards announced were:

• Rising Star (Age 20 & under)
• Coach of the Year
• Golden Boot
• Fair Play Award
• Referee of the Year

Hyundai A-League Award Details:

Johnny Warren Medal

• This medal will be awarded to the Player’s Player of the Year.
• Named in honour of Johnny Warren.
• All players on a club’s 20 man player roster must vote. Replacement players are not eligible to vote.
• Votes will be on a 3-2-1 basis.
• Votes will be cast on three separate occasions – at the conclusion of Rounds 7, 14 and 21. Votes must be cast after the nominated round and before the following round.
• Players are not permitted to vote for their own team mates.
• Finals Series matches will not be included in the voting.
• Players who receive a direct red card are not eligible to win. (i.e. excluding players sent off for RC7 – 2nd yellow card).
• Players who are convicted of doping offences are not eligible to win.
• Players who are found guilty of gross misconduct are not eligible to win.
• Joint medals will be awarded if two players finish equal on points.

Joe Marston Medal

• Player voted best on ground in the Grand Final
• Named in honour of Joe Marston
• Votes are on a 3-2-1 basis by eight selected media representatives

Rising Star

• Awarded to a Youth Player (20 years and under)
• Judged by a panel of experts including National Team coaching staff and former players

Coach of the Year

• Voted 3-2-1 by the coach of each team
• Voting will take place in the week after the Grand Final
• Coaches not able to vote for themselves

Golden Boot

• Awarded to the highest goal scorer at the conclusion of Round 21

Fair Play Award

• Awarded to the team with the lowest points on the fair play ladder at the conclusion of the home and away season
• Yellow Card = 1 point, Direct Red Card = 3 points, 2nd Caution Red Card = 2 points.

Referee of the Year

• Based on inspection marks at the end of the home and away season.