Charlton Athletic’s Ryan Inniss named PFA Player in the Community + accolade for young defender

Charlton Athletic’s Ryan Inniss was named the PFA Player in the Community at last night’s 2022 EFL Awards ceremony in London.

Inniss did not let lockdown restrictions stop him from making a difference, appearing virtually when restrictions prevented in-person appearances.

He has formed lasting relationships with the Upbeats Down’s syndrome team as well as young people on the Kicks programme and continues to use his own life experiences to encourage others to make positive life choices.

Inniss missed the ceremony due to illness. The award was accepted on his behalf by Community Trust CEO Jason Morgan, head of player care Tracey Leaburn and owner Thomas Sandgaard.

Jason Morgan, chief executive of the Charlton Athletic Community Trust, said: “I’ve been at the club a long time. What the players do within the community is a different class. It comes from the top and it comes from the manager. There’s an expectation that that’s what they need to do.

“Ryan’s the kind of character that has had his challenges. He can relate to a lot of programmes that we run and he can relate to a lot of the individuals that we’ve got working with us. He just wants to reach out and support them. He will come and find us and say, ‘what have you got going on. What can I get involved in?’ He’ll come up with things himself, too.”

Deje Elerewe was named LFE Apprentice of the Year in League One.

The 18-year-old centre-back signed a long-term contract earlier this season. He has made 11 appearances in all competitions for the Addicks.