Last week Junior Stanislas was awarded the Bobby Moore Young Player of the Year after an exceptional first term at Upton Park which saw him fire in nine goals for the youth team and a couple for the reserves, where he become a regular alongside more senior players.

Junior is a young man with a mission, a lot of determination and, as it has proved this season, an abundance of talent.

“I am very pleased to be this season’s Bobby Moore Young Player of the Year,” he said. “I was surprised to get it though. I feel I have had a good season, but didn’t think it would mean getting an award like this, so it has really finished off what has been a great season for me and the team.

“Tony Carr told me a couple of days before it was presented to me that I had won it, and I was delighted. It’s an award that is given by my team-mates and the fact they chose me, is very nice and I appreciate it.”

Junior was a regular in a successful youth team side that finished runners-up to Arsenal in the league, no mean feat for any side.

Youth Academy Director Tony Carr has been delighted with Junior’s progress. He said: “The award that Junior has received is a fantastic accolade for any young player.

“But he deserves it. Junior has weighed in with some goals, important ones when needed and some really good performances. He can be very pleased with his first year.

“Junior has set himself some high standards and what he has to do now is go on from this, for next year and the future. He has done very well and has the ability and the attitude to take this forward.”