Owen Moxon is today crowned Carlisle United’s player of the season by News & Star readers.

The midfield star swept to victory in our annual poll.

Carlisle-born Moxon attracted 44 per cent of the overall vote after hundreds of Blues fans had their say.

He finished well ahead of his team-mates, with Jon Mellish in second place, Paul Huntington third, Jack Armer fourth and Kristian Dennis fifth.

Our award – sponsored by the Longhorn Trophies Division of Carlisle Glass – is the latest recognition for 25-year-old Moxon’s superb first season back at his home-city club.

The crowd favourite from Denton Holme said he was delighted with the accolade, which he will receive before today’s crucial home clash with Salford City at Brunton Park.

“It means a lot,” he said. “It is something I’m really proud of,” he said.

Moxon, who has scored six goals and contributed a host of assists this season with his skilful midfield play, said it was particularly rewarding to be recognised by fans who pay to watch the Blues week-in, week-out.

“I’ve had to do it first hand – I’ve had to go out and work 9 to 5,” said the player who was driving a delivery van last season during his part-time playing spell with Annan Athletic.

“You have to work hard for your money, and times are hard as well at the moment with money.

“The fans who are coming out in their numbers at the moment is amazing and I know every single person at this club appreciates it.

“Hopefully long may it continue – if we keep giving them stuff to keep coming back and cheering, they’ll want to keep doing it every weekend.”

Moxon was also recently named in the EFL League Two team of the season and added of such awards: “When I look back at the end of the season I’m sure I’ll have a few smiles.”

News and Star: Jon Mellish was runner-up in our annual readers' pollJon Mellish was runner-up in our annual readers' poll (Image: Richard Parkes)

Our annual poll attracted votes from more than 800 Blues fans, with versatile defender Mellish runner-up to Moxon with 13 per cent of the vote.

Morgan Feeney, Paul Huntington, Jack Armer, Kristian Dennis and Callum Guy were next in the running.

Blues fans from all over the world took part in our poll.

While the majority of votes came from the UK, supporters in the USA, Australia, Spain, Canada, Russia, Singapore, Poland, France, India, Finland, the Netherlands, Greece, Indonesia, Switzerland, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates also voted.

Moxon, meanwhile, says he and his team-mates will give everything to push United closer to promotion this afternoon.

While victory would clinch a play-off place and a draw would also be likely to be enough for a top-seven place, a win would also keep the Blues’ automatic hopes very much alive if Stevenage and/or Northampton slip up today.

“I think there’s more than enough in the dressing room,” Moxon said.

“We want to win this game, then follow it up with a win at Sutton.

“If we do that we’ll see where it takes us, but everybody is bang up for it and fully focused on the job we need to do.”