Sheffield Wednesday's Mark Beevers with his Wickes Young Apprentice Award Coca cola Championship

Sheffield Wednesday's young central defender Mark Beevers has been awarded the Wickes Young Apprentice of the Year Award 2008, which was presented at last night's Football League Awards. Beevers held off competition from Leicester City's Joe Mattock and Crystal Palace's Lee Hills, who finished second and third respectively, to scoop the top honour.

Now in its third season, the award was created by Wickes, Official Home Improvement Partner to the Football League Championship, with the intention of recognising and rewarding the best young talent in the Championship.

The 18-year-old Sheffield Wednesday full back has firmly established himself in the first team squad at Hillsborough since making his senior debut against Southampton on 31st January 2007. Since then he has gone on to make further first team appearances for the club this season, and having also been called up to the England U19 squad recently, it has certainly been an exciting season for Beevers.

On winning the award, Beevers commented: "I started playing regularly over Christmas, so it has all happened very fast for me but I have taken my chance. Football is the best job in the world so it is great that I have been given a four-year contract, which shows the manager has got confidence that I can go on from my apprenticeship to play at a good level professionally."

As part of the prize, Sheffield Wednesday will receive £5,000 towards the club's youth development programme, and the player will receive holiday vouchers to enjoy. Leicester City will be awarded £3,000 for Joe Mattock finishing second and Crystal Palace net £2,000 towards their youth development scheme as Lee Hills finished third.

Wickes Sport Sponsorship Manager Matt Holmes comments: "We are very proud to support and highlight youth development, both on and off the pitch, across the Football League Championship. There are some great rising stars coming through the ranks and we are very pleased to be able to recognise their hard work. We wish Mark all the best in what promises to be a great career ahead."

A panel put together by Wickes and The Football League, consisting of ex-Premiership and Republic of Ireland footballer Andy Townsend and representatives from The Football League, Wickes, The Professional Footballer's Association and FourFourTwo Magazine judged the award. The judges looked at various aspects of the apprentices' careers to date including discipline, education, attitude and performance on the pitch.