Schumacher and Mumba Win EFL Awards

Argyle boss Steven Schumacher has been named Sky Bet League One Manager of the Season, and Bali Mumba Sky Bet League One Young Player of the Season, at Sunday’s EFL Awards dinner.

Schumacher was given the nod for his award ahead of Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna and Sheffield Wednesday’s Darren Moore, who respectively are in charge of the teams in second and third place in the division, behind leaders Argyle.

Talking to host David Prutton, Schumacher said: “In the summer it was tough just missing out on promotion last season.

"We got the lads in and said: ‘let’s go again’. Every player to a man has played their part and we have been outstanding - and we are nearly there.”

Mumba was named as the division’s leading young star, the on-loan Norwich wing-back getting the nod ahead of Charlton Athletic’s Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, who is on loan at the Valley from Crystal Palace, and Cameron Humphreys, a 19-year-old midfielder who has caught the eye coming through the ranks at Ipswich.

On collecting his award, Bali said: "It’s been an amazing experience for me, it’s still not done and we still have a little bit more to push but I just want to say a huge thank you to the gaffer, the staff, my team-mates and Plymouth Argyle Football Club for the opportunity and platform to play and perform this season.

"I’m grateful for the faith they have shown in me and I’m glad that I can pay it back by winning these awards, and long may it continue."

Mumba was also named in the League One Team of the Season. The 22-year-old, who has excelled on either flank for Argyle, has played 44 times and scored six goals in the green and white, including memorable strikes against Exeter City, and twice against Ipswich.

Joining Mumba in the League One select side is Michael Cooper. Even though Cooper, 23, was injured in February, having played 29 league games, he has still been the stand-out goalkeeper in the division, and takes his place in the line-up.

Sky Bet League One Team of the Season

Michael Cooper – Argyle
Bali Mumba – Argyle
Leif Davis - Ipswich Town
Mads Anderson - Barnsley
Ricardo Santos - Bolton Wanderers
Barry Bannan - Sheffield Wednesday
Conor Hourihane - Derby County
Aaron Collins - Bristol Rovers
Jonson Clarke-Harris - Peterborough
Conor Chaplin - Ipswich Town
Josh Windass - Sheffield Wednesday