npower announces its Manager of the Month award winners for April

npower has announced the winners of the Manager of the Month awards for the npower Football League in April.

Southampton manager Nigel Adkins has been named npower League 1 Manager of the Month for April.

Adkins' side stand on the brink of promotion thanks to wins against Milton Keynes Dons, Charlton Athletic, Leyton Orient, Bristol Rovers, Brighton & Hove Albion, Hartlepool United and Brentford.

Former Charlton Athletic boss Alan Curbishley chairs the npower Football League Manager of the Month judging panel. He said: "Southampton maintained their fine form throughout April with seven wins from their eight games.

"Nigel Adkins has done a great job since his appointment and his side have all but secured promotion back to the npower Championship."

In League 2, Bury caretaker manager Richie Barker has been named npower League 2 Manager of the Month for April.

Barker took charge in March, and went on to lead his side through a six-game unbeaten run to ensure automatic promotion to npower League 1.

npower head of sponsorship Emma Collins added: "For the club to do so well with a managerial change late in the season is very impressive.

"Barker has hit the ground running, and fully deserves the award."

Finally, in the Championship Norwich City striker Simeon Jackson has been named npower Championship Player of the Month for April.

Jackson netted eight times during the month to help the Canaries secure automatic promotion.

His impressive goal haul included hat-tricks against Scunthorpe United and Derby County.

Sky Sports' Football League expert Peter Beagrie sits on the npower Manager of the Month judging panel. He said: "After going more than 20 games without a goal, Jackson produced a show of true marksmanship in April.

"He began May in similar style, scoring the most important goal of his career to secure Norwich an automatic promotion spot."

The judging panel comprises former Charlton Athletic manager Alan Curbishley, Sky Sports Football League expert Peter Beagrie, Football League chief operating officer Andy Williamson, BBC Sport's Mark Clemmit, League Managers Association deputy CEO Olaf Dixon and npower head of sponsorship Emma Collins.

About npower:
npower are title sponsors of the Test Match Series in England, Women's Test Series and the Village Cup, with results appearing on the npower cricket website.

npower are proud sponsors of the npower Football League, including The npower Championship, npower League 1 and npower League 2 commencing July 2010.   

npower has 6.6 million residential gas and electricity accounts throughout the UK. npower is a market leader in renewable energy and aims to help customers with their energy efficiency. npower juice matches green energy primarily from off-shore wind farms for juice customers at no extra cost.

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