Luca Hoole leads winners at Shrewsbury Town awards night

Defender Luca Hoole scooped several accolades at Shrewsbury Town’s end-of-season awards.

Players, staff and supporters came together at the Croud Meadow on Tuesday evening, where Salop’s standout performers of the campaign were recognised. Winners were voted for by supporters, fellow squad members and the club’s foundation.

Hoole, Will Boyle, Matt Cox and Ismeal Kabia were all honoured on the night, which followed Town’s final home game of the season and came just days before they conclude their campaign at Gillingham.

Hoole, who is currently working his way back from an ankle injury, walked away with multiple awards. The 23-year-old was named both supporters’ player of the season and players’ player of the season.

He also won player of the season awards from the away travel club, the super blues, sovereign club members and female focus group.

The defender has impressed throughout the campaign and is likely to attract interest from clubs across the Football League, with his contract due to expire this summer.

He has featured in 33 League Two matches this season and made 40 appearances in all competitions. Prior to sustaining his injury against Walsall in late February, Hoole had missed just two league games, both of which he spent on the bench.

Hoole joined Town on a two-year deal in the summer of 2024 after a compensation package was agreed with Bristol Rovers, where he came through the youth ranks.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Matt Cox was named supporters’ young player of the season. He also won the supporters club’s and the south stand flags’ player of the season award.

Cox has impressed between the sticks since joining on loan from Premier League side Brentford during the January transfer window. The 22-year-old started 18 consecutive matches before Salop’s clash with Fleetwood last weekend, when Will Brook returned to action.

The shot-stopper has helped the side keep six clean sheets under Gavin Cowan and has earned praise from the Salop boss during his time at the club.

In a post online, Cox said: “Honoured to be chosen as the young player of the season.”

The player in the community award, voted for by the Shrewsbury Town Foundation, went to defender Will Boyle.

The 30-year-old, who joined Town last summer from Wrexham on a two-year deal, has featured in 42 of Salop’s League Two matches this season, missing just three. He has also scored four league goals.

On the theme of goals. Ismeal Kabia rounded off the awards by claiming goal of the season for his stunning strike in Town’s final home game.

In the closing stages, Fleetwood cleared the ball from the box, but it fell to Kabia at long range. He unleashed a thunderous effort into the top-right corner, leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot as the ball flew into the net - a goal worthy of the accolade.