Aidy awarded accolade

Watford supremo Aidy Boothroyd has been named as Championship Manager of the Month for February.

The gaffer has been rewarded for his bang-in-form-side's exceptional performances throughout February.

The month began with the four-one trouncing of second-placed Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, a match that that was shown live on Sky Sports. Aidy's young guns next opponents were Coventry City and Micky Adams' outfit found themselves on the receiving end of a four-nil thrashing. The Hornets traveled to Yorkshire to face Leeds on Valentines Night but were cruelly reduced to nine men and suffered a two-one defeat. However, The Golden Boys bounced back at Brighton and won one-nil thanks to a Chris Eagles wonder goal. The Hornets finished the month by virtually securing a play-off spot by beating seventh-placed Cardiff City two-one at The Vic.

Watford's phenomenal form in 2006 has seen them take the Championship by storm, taking twenty-four points out of a possible twenty-seven. Eyebrows were raised when the straight-talking Yorkshireman was not handed the accolade for January but the thirty-five-year-old, who has only been managing since April, has won his first in a long line of awards after Chris Kamara today named Boothroyd as Championship Manager of the Month for February.

Chris Kamara, chairman of the Coca-Cola Manager of the Month Awards panel, said: 'Aidy Boothroyd has done a fantastic job at Watford this season and fully deserves his award. “His side produced a terrific points haul in February to help cement their position in the Play-Off places. “Their win over Sheffield United really made everyone stand up and take note of just what a force they have become in the Championship.'

Iain Dowie of Crystal Palace, Joe Royle of Ipswich Town and Kevin Blackwell of Leeds United, all former Premiership managers, were also nominated for the award.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.