Now-Everton midfielder Hayden Hackney reflected on his time at Middlesbrough after winning the PFA Championship Player of the Year award
Hayden Hackney wins the PFA Championship Player of the Year award
Hayden Hackney wins the PFA Championship Player of the Year award(Image: Nathan Stirk)
Hayden Hackney spoke of his pride at what he achieved at Middlesbrough, after winning ‘the best award to win’.
Hackney won the PFA Championship Player of the Year award at the awards ceremony on Tuesday evening. The winner is decided by votes from fellow Championship players.
Hackney won the award after starring for Boro last term in what was a season of challenging for promotion, albeit falling short in the end. A big factor in that was Hackney’s injury towards the end of the season, which the Teessider also discussed.
As a result of not winning promotion to the Premier League, Hackney left his boyhood club this summer to join top-flight side Everton, as he looks to take his career to the next level.
But after winning the award for his performances at Boro, and also making it into the Team of the season, he reflected on his time at the club - which started aged nine.
Speaking at the awards evening, Hackney said: “It’s an unbelievable feeling, especially because it’s voted for by the players you’ve played against. So it means a lot. It’s the best award to win, I think. It’s a massive achievement and I’m really proud.
“It’s incredible to achieve that with Middlesbrough. I loved every minute of my time at the club. From my time in the academy as a kid, to my debut and everything since.
“It was a dream come true, and to represent the club every weekend, it was an amazing feeling.
“It was hard, especially the timing and how bad it was. It’s the worst part of being a footballer. But, at the same time, that time out I had was when I really had a chance to reflect more and think about how far I’ve come.
“It was quite a hard time for me getting injured for those last ten games. It’s a difficult league. I’m gutted we fell short.”
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Now at Everton, the Redcar star has made a positive early impression on Toffees fans and started as they won their first Premier League game of the season against Crystal Palace.
The midfield star spoke of how much he’s enjoyed it so far, and how welcomed he’s been by everyone at the club.
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