THE FINAL shortlists have been revealed for the 2015 Echo Sports Awards.
More than 3,000 of our loyal readers helped us to draw up the final five in each category.
And we will again need your help in deciding the winners from what must surely be the most successful 12 months ever for south Essex sport.
SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Daniel Bentley
The Southend United goalkeeper excelled between the sticks as the Shrimpers won promotion from League Two via the play-offs.
Stuart Bingham
The Vange based snooker star stunned the sporting world when he brilliantly won the World Championships in May.
Mike Stanley
Just two years on from lining up for Southend, Stanley played in the Rugby World Cup for Samoa.
Max Whitlock
Whitlock enjoyed another stunning year, bouncing back from glandular fever to become World Champion on the pommel horse. He also won silver on the floor and in the team event.
Jackson Wray
The former King John School pupil starred for Saracens as they won the Premiership, beating Bath 28-16 in the final at Twickenham.
YOUNG SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Brinn Bevan
Bevan helped Great Britain’s team win silver at the World Championships and finished third on the pommel horse at the European Games.
Samuel Birdsall
Birdsall was crowned Junior National Outdoor Champion in Archery and now holds eight national records.
Josh Cullen
Made his Premiership debut for West Ham United at Liverpool and remains a regular in Republic of Ireland’s under 21 team.
Josh Da Silva
Captained Great Britain’s under 19 handball team and was rewarded by winning a place at a top academy in Denmark.
Ted Smith
The promising goalkeeper regularly lined up for England’s under 20 team and also made his debut for Southend United.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Phil Brown
Guided Southend United to promotion from League Two, via a memorable play-off final success against Wycombe Wanderers at Wembely.
Danny Cowley
Won the Essex Senior Cup with Concord and also helped FitzWimarc School win numerous trophies. Now working wonders with Braintree Town in the Conference.
Danny Cleare
Guided Seevic College’s rugby team to the NatWest Schools final at Twickenham.
Scott Hann
Coached superstar gymnasts Max Whitlock and Brinn Bevan to their medals at the World Championships.
Steve Feeney
Helped Stuart Bingham to become World Snooker Champion.
TEAM OF THE YEAR
C & K Basildon Ladies
The female football team finished top of the FA Women’s Premier League South East table and also won the Essex Cup.
Seevic College Rugby Team
Superbly worked their way past a series of top private schools to make the NatWest final at Twickenham.
South Essex Gymnastics Club
Rightly regarded as the best gymnastics club in the country, it is the home of World Championship medallists Max Whitlock and Brinn Bevan.
Southend High Schools
Both Southend High School for Boys and Girls represented England at the World Schools Athletics Championships in China.
Southend United
Won promotion via the League Two play-offs in thrilling circumstances, beating Wycombe Wanderers on penalties at Wembley. Now also doing well in League One.
MOMENT OF THE YEAR
Daniel Brooks’ hole in one
Brooks made a hole in one at the par three 11th hole, holing from 166 yards at The Open at St Andrews.
John Wayne Hibbert beating Dave Ryan
Hibbert finally saw off Ryan at the third attempt to be crowned Commonwealth Light Welterweight Champion.
Max Whitlock winning World Championship gold
Whitlock became the first British male gymnast to win World Championship gold when he triumphed on the pommel horse in October.
Southend United winning promotion
Blues were just 20 seconds away from losing their play-off final with Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley. But Joe Pigott bagged a dramatic late equaliser before Phil Brown’s side won on penalties.
Stuart Bingham becoming world champion
Despite starting the event at 50-1 Bingham became World Snooker Champion, beating Shaun Murphy in the final.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Echo readers can vote for their favourites in each category by emailing sports.echo@nqe.com
Votes will be counted until the end of December before the winners will be revealed at the start of January.
The views of our readers will equate to 50 per cent of the final results with the rest being decided by our expert panel which includes former Southend United manager Steve Tilson, World Championship silver medallist decathlete Dean Macey, ex Saracens star Kris Chesney and members of the Echo Sports Desk.
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