The Telegraph & Argus is today proud to announce the launch of Bradford City's 1997-98 Player of the Year and Supporter of the Year awards.

We have joined together with club sponsors JCT600 to organise these two prestigious awards which will be presented at a grand supporters' evening next month.

The winning player will be chosen by you, the fans, and with voting expected to be close a nomination for your favourite player could prove crucial.

And on the same night we will also be awarding the Telegraph & Argus/JCT600 Supporter of the Year trophy.

It has been an eventful season at Valley Parade with City enjoying a sensational start to the season by picking up 13 points from their first five games.

This saw the Bantams go top of the First Division for the first time in nearly ten years after a superb 2-1 victory at neighbours Huddersfield Town - one of the clear highlights of the campaign.

However City's problems in front of goal quickly became apparent and despite a great defensive record - at one stage they conceded just one goal in six games - the Bantams soon started to slide down the First Division table.

This run of just four wins in 21 games culminated in the sacking of Chris Kamara just a few days after the disappointing FA Cup exit at Manchester City.

Paul Jewell took over, initially, as caretaker boss before marking his first game in charge with a 4-1 win over Reading - their biggest win of the season to date. However a flurry of late goals in several games cost City dear and took them out of the play-off chasing pack.

First-choice players Eddie Youds and Chris Wilder were sold in the 24 hours leading up to transfer deadline day, while Peter Beagrie also left Valley Parade, albeit on loan.

This left many supporters disappointed, but the two recent wins over Manchester City and Norwich City have given the Bantams a welcome fillip as the season draws to a close.

Fans can vote for their favourite current City player either by writing down the details on a postcard and sending it to the T&A, or by phoning our voteline, which will be set up soon. All votes must be cast by Monday, April 27.

All those fans who vote will then be entered into a grand draw, with one lucky fan receiving two VIP tickets to the awards dinner at Bradford's Stakis Hotel on May 4.

Tickets are still available for the dinner priced £29.50, with each table being hosted by a player.

The lucky fan will also hand over the trophy to the winning player at the awards ceremony later the same night.

Compered by Yorkshire Tele-vision's John Helm, the awards evening is sure to be a great occasion.

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