Some of the local greats have been crowned Footballer of the Year – here are the winners from the past 20 seasons.
![The first appearance of a goalkeeper on this list, Linfield stopper Mannus conceded only 18 goals as the Blues celebrated yet another league triumph under Jeffrey. Mannus won 16 major honours with Linfield before departing for Shamrock Rovers in 2009 and is still going strong with the League of Ireland outfit after returning from Scotland](https://www.newsletter.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjYxOTNhNGE5LWUzMDItNDEwMi04NzI0LTUwNzM4NzI0NjQyMDo4NjRiNzljNy1iZjViLTQ3YzktYjdjYi1hYmQ4Y2NhOTE1MTk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
5. 2007/08 - Alan Mannus (Linfield)
The first appearance of a goalkeeper on this list, Linfield stopper Mannus conceded only 18 goals as the Blues celebrated yet another league triumph under Jeffrey. Mannus won 16 major honours with Linfield before departing for Shamrock Rovers in 2009 and is still going strong with the League of Ireland outfit after returning from Scotland Photo: Darren Kidd
![Cliftonville only finished sixth in the 2008/09 season but Scannell was named both Ulster Footballer of the Year and Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association Player of the Year for his performances](https://www.newsletter.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjljNThiZTJmLTdiYjgtNDhjOC1iMTBjLWYwZWY4MzUzMjM2MDpkMjk2YTA4Mi0xYjllLTRiZTYtOTk2NS05YzQzMTdhNWYxNmU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
6. 2008/09 - Chris Scannell (Cliftonville)
Cliftonville only finished sixth in the 2008/09 season but Scannell was named both Ulster Footballer of the Year and Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association Player of the Year for his performances Photo: Presseye
![Rory Patterson scored 30 league goals for Coleraine during the 2009/10 season - a number which has only been bettered once since (Joe Gormley, 31 in 2014/15). Patterson only spent one campaign at the Bannsiders before moving to Glentoran and also went on to play for the likes of Plymouth Argyle, Linfield, Crusaders and Derry City](https://www.newsletter.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjdjNDIyZjgzLTkyZjMtNGQ1My05Mzk1LWI0ZTVhMzZjNDQ4MzowNzU5MzI0ZS0wNTU0LTRhZGEtYWIyNC1iY2MxZTUwN2U3YjU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
7. 2009/10 - Rory Patterson (Coleraine)
Rory Patterson scored 30 league goals for Coleraine during the 2009/10 season - a number which has only been bettered once since (Joe Gormley, 31 in 2014/15). Patterson only spent one campaign at the Bannsiders before moving to Glentoran and also went on to play for the likes of Plymouth Argyle, Linfield, Crusaders and Derry City Photo: Russell Pritchard / Presseye
![In what was a historic season for Linfield as they lifted their 50th league title, goalkeeper Blayney was named Ulster Footballer of the Year. The former Southampton shot-stopper helped David Jeffrey's side record three league and cup doubles during his time at Windsor Park](https://www.newsletter.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmNiMzY1MTgwLTJmZGEtNDE5OC1hNjI0LTU2ZWJmNjQ5NWE1ODo0NjNkYTI4OC05ZDk0LTQyMTQtYmYxYy1mMzljZWMxMjhkYmI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
8. 2010/11 - Alan Blayney (Linfield)
In what was a historic season for Linfield as they lifted their 50th league title, goalkeeper Blayney was named Ulster Footballer of the Year. The former Southampton shot-stopper helped David Jeffrey's side record three league and cup doubles during his time at Windsor Park Photo: Kelvin Boyes