SFWA Awards 2025/26

Lawrence Shankland and Claudio Braga lead the running for the prestigious SFWA Player of the Year award ahead of our annual dinner on Sunday, May 17.

Shankland lifted the title last season and is now looking to retain his crown after captaining Hearts to within touching distance of the Premiership flag this term.

The Scotland striker is joined on the shortlist by Tynecastle team-mate Braga. The Portuguese has made an impressive impact in his first campaign in Scottish football and is now on a four-man shortlist for the main SFWA prize.

Motherwell duo Tawanda Maswanhise and Elijah Just have also been recognised by Association members after starring for the Steelmen this term.

And the prize for William Hill Manager of the Year could also be heading to Tynecastle or Fir Park. Hearts boss Derek McInnes and Jens Berthel Askou lead the contenders and are joined by Martin O’Neill and John McGlynn.

Four of Scotland’s rising stars have been recognised for their efforts over the campaign and are in the running for the DoubleTree by Hilton SFWA Young Player of the Year.

Findlay Curtis made his debut for the national side in the friendly with Japan after starring for Kilmarnock, while Barney Stewart has shone for McGlynn’s Bairns. Luke Graham, the Dundee defender, has also been nominated, while Andrew Tod is in the running as he looks to land the Scottish Cup with Dunfermline.

In the SWPL, the votes were split amongst the teams at the top of the table. Lee Gibson of Glasgow City is joined by Georgia Timms of Hearts and Old Firm rivals Katie Wilkinson and Maria McAneny.

The shortlist for the KDM Group SWPL Young Player of the Year is dominated by Rangers. Laura Berry, Mia McAulay and Jodie McLeary are alongside Lisa Forrest of Glasgow City.

Members and guests will celebrate the achievement of Scottish football’s biggest names at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Glasgow later this month.

The Association has already crowned Caroline Weir as the Albert Bartlett SFWA Women’s International Player of the Year award and recognised the efforts of the Steve Clarke’s squad by presenting a collective William Hill SFWA Men's International Player of the Year.

SFWA Player of the Year

Claudio Braga (Hearts), Elijah Just (Motherwell), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts)

William Hill Manager of the Year

Jens Berthel Askou (Motherwell), John McGlynn (Falkirk), Derek McInnes (Hearts), Martin O’Neill (Celtic)

DoubleTree by Hilton Young Player of the Year

Findlay Curtis (Kilmarnock), Luke Graham (Dundee), Barney Stewart (Falkirk), Andrew Tod (Dunfermline)

SWPL Player of the Year

Lee Gibson (Glasgow City), Maria McAneny (Celtic), Georgia Timms (Hearts), Katie Wilkinson (Rangers)

KDM Group SWPL Young Player of the Year

Laura Berry (Rangers), Lisa Forrest (Glasgow City), Mia McAulay (Rangers), Jodi McLeary (Rangers)