NEWS & Star sports reporter Jon Colman has been shortlisted in the Northwest Football Awards. 

Jon, who covers Carlisle United for the News & Star and The Cumberland News, is nominated in the Northwest Football Journalist or Broadcaster of the Season category. 

He is the only local newspaper reporter on the shortlist of seven for the prestigious award. 

He is up against four journalists from The Athletic – Adam Crafton, Daniel Taylor, Simon Hughes and Greg O’Keefe – as well as BBC Lancashire’s Andy Bayes and the BBC’s Natalie Pike.

The winner will be announced at a ceremony at The Point at Old Trafford cricket ground in Manchester on November 7. 

Jon has covered the Blues for 17 years and has won several other awards for his work, including the regional writer prize eight times at the British Sports Journalism Awards. 

Laura Wolfe, from the NWFA, said: “This is a very special year for us. We smashed our previous record of entries received. 

“The quality of submissions from clubs and organisations blew us away and the panel had some seriously healthy debate over the course of the judging process. 

“It looks like we are in for another brilliant night when the winners are announced on 7 November.” 

The awards are in their 15th year and have a new title sponsor in Armstrong Projects. 

Sports broadcaster and reporter Eilidh Barbour will be the host at the gala ceremony in November. 

The event will also support the Darby Rimmer Foundation. 

It will also see the region’s players of the season announced. 

Carlisle United do not feature in any of the categories, but former Blues players are in the running. 

Morecambe’s Cole Stockton is a contender for the League One award with Paddy Madden of Stockport County in the running for the National League award. 

Ex-Blues loanee Jordan Pickford of Everton is on the Premier League shortlist. 

For more information visit https://www.northwestfootballawards.com/

READ MORE: Newport County boss gives his view on Carlisle United's dangermen and playing style