npower announces npower Football League winners for December

npower has announced the winners of the managers of the month and players of the month awards for the npower Football League in December.

Watford striker Danny Graham has been named npower Championship Player of the Month after his impressive form continued with five goals during the month of December.

Sky Sports football league expert Peter Beagrie, who sits on the judging panel, said: "Danny's season just keeps getting better and better. He has now taken his tally to 17 starts in 26 games across all competitions, and is even in the frame for the January award with three goals already."

In League 1, Hartlepool United's Sam Collins won the npower Player of the Month Award after he helped his side shut out Huddersfield Town and Bournemouth in their two league games.

Peter Beagrie continued: "Collins has been a rock at the heart of the defence, and helped thwart two of the most potent attacks in the division."

In League 2, Stockport County's Greg Tansey won the npower Player of the Month (http://www.npower.com/fl/index.htm) Award for his league after he scored four goals in his side's three December games.

npower head of sponsorship Emma Collins said: "Greg Tansey has been in fine form recently and fully deserves the npower League 2 Player of the Month Award. I'd like to congratulate Greg on behalf of npower, and wish him the best of luck for the rest of the season."

Leeds United manager Simon Grayson has been named npower Championship Manager of the Month for December, with his side taking eleven points during December.

Former Charlton Athletic boss Alan Curbishley chairs the npower Manager of the Month (http://www.npower.com/fl/index.htm) judging panel. He said: "It was a great month for Grayson and Leeds United. A notable win over leaders QPR really stood out, and has put United firmly into the promotional race."

In League 1, Hartlepool United boss Mick Wadsworth was named npower Manager of the Month, after his side won all three of their games, with league victories over Huddersfield Town and AFC Bournemouth, and a win against Yeovil Town in the FA Cup.

Alan Curbishley continued: "Two away wins in December mean Mick's award is richly deserved. Huddersfield and Bournemouth have proved to be two of the division's strongest teams. To combine both victories with clean sheets ensures Hartlepool are now in Play-Off contention."

The League 2 npower Manager of the Month Award went to Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler after his side took maximum points for their two games against Port Vale and Macclesfield Town.

Alan Curbishley added: "Hessenthaler's men scored seven goals in two games, four of which came away from home. A notable win over high-flying Port Vale helped ensure they had a productive festive period."

The judging panel comprises Sky Sports Football League expert Peter Beagrie, Football League head of communications John Nagle, BBC Sport's Mark Clemmit and npower head of sponsorship Emma Collins.

About npower:
npower is one of the UK's largest electricity suppliers and has 6.6 million customer accounts across the UK.

npower sponsors The npower Football League (https://www.npower.com/At_Home/Tactical/FootballLeagueFanClub/Default.aspx) and npower cricket (http://cricket.npower.com/web/home/index.htm) by sponsoring English Test Cricket.

npower has been awarded platinum status in Business in the Community's CR Index and is one of twenty-nine companies to have achieved the CommunityMark since its launch. All CommunityMark achievers have been recognised for demonstrating excellence in their holistic and strategic approach to community investment.

npower is dedicated to helping UK businesses with energy efficiency (http://www.npower.com/web/At_home/juice-clean_and_green/Juice-clean_and_green/index.htm) which helps them spend less money on their bills.  It aims to have a positive impact on the communities it serves and reduce its customers' carbon footprint whilst always improving its service to its customers.

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