We are delighted to announce that Brian Barry-Murphy has been shortlisted for the Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month Award for April, while Jim McNulty is up for the Sky Bet League One Player of the Month Award for April.
It follows an impressive run of results which culminated in Rochdale securing their League One status with a game to spare and rising to 14th in the table.
Dale won four of their fixtures during the month, only losing to promotion chasing Portsmouth and Sunderland.
Sky Bet say: ‘He [Brian Barry-Murphy] made his players believe they could put together a run of results that would drag them clear of the relegation places. Instilled the defensive confidence to keep four clean sheets and fully earned the manager’s job on a permanent basis.’
Charlton Athletic’s Lee Bowyer, Kenny Jackett of Portsmouth and Barnsley Manager Daniel Stendel are also shortlisted.
Jim McNulty has earned his nomination for playing a crucial part in helping Dale keep four clean sheets during the month. In particular, his goal-line clearance against Wycombe Wanderers on Good Friday caught the attention.
Sky Bet say: ‘[He was] the rock at the heart of a defence which tightened up in April and kept four clean sheets in six games. Brave and whole-hearted, he reads the game superbly – witness his goal-line clearance against Wycombe which set up Dale’s 1-0 victory.’
Jim is up against Alex Mowatt from Barnsley, AFC Wimbledon’s Joe Pigott and Lyle Taylor of Charlton Athletic for the award.
Congratulations Brian and Jim!