NOTTINGHAM Forest players past, present and future were honoured at the Football League Awards 2013 last night.
Simon Cox, Peter Shilton and Dimitar Evtimov picked up gongs on a night where a total of 17 awards were given out, with 34 clubs shortlisted for honours.
Reds striker Cox won the Mitre Goal of the Year Award for his superb goal against Birmingham City at the City Ground last September.
Cox's deft touch and first time hit past the goalkeeper was voted as the best goal in 2012 from a final shortlist of five.
During 2012, more than 5,000 goals were scored in Football League competitions. To find the best, each Football League club was asked to nominate their club's best goal from the 2012 calendar year. In conjunction with the presenters and viewers of Sky Sports' Soccer AM these were narrowed down to a shortlist of five contenders with the eventual winner being voted for on the night.
David Cox, Simon's father, collected the award on Simon's behalf at the gala ceremony at The Brewery, London, with the Reds ace currently away on duty with the Republic of Ireland.
Cox senior said: "I am pleased as punch for him to get this, he is currently on international duty with Ireland but I know he is watching the awards on his laptop to see if he has won.
"I am sure there was a big cheer there when it was announced. He will be very pleased and I am happy to pick it up for him, he deserves it."
Other notable winners on the night included Watford's Matej Vydra, who walked away with the npower Championship Player of the Year Award.
The npower League 1 Player of the Year Award went to AFC Bournemouth's Matt Ritchie, who saw off Notts County's Alan Judge to the award, while the League Two award went to Port Vale's Tom Pope.
Former Forest goalkeeper Peter Shilton OBE received the prestigious Contribution to League Football Award.
Each year, this prestigious Award is presented by the Board of The Football League to an individual that has given a lifetime's service to the professional game.
As the holder of The Football League's all-time appearance record, he is the only player in its 125-year history to play in more than 1,000 league matches.
On winning the award Shilton said: "It is certainly up there with all the awards I have won in the past.
"I played in the Football League for 30 years and had a fantastic time. The Football League is about real football people who do it for the love of the game and I am really pleased to pick this award up."
Greg Clarke, chairman of the Football League, added: "During a glittering career, spanning four decades, Peter Shilton has been an outstanding servant to League football.
"As the holder of the Football League's all-time appearance record, Peter has made a huge contribution to the English game and it is a privilege to present him with this Award."
Evtimov, meanwhile, was named the LFE Apprentice of the Year for the Championship, with Forest's education officer, Dennis Judson, receiving the award on his behalf.
Since his arrival in England, the Bulgaria under-21 international has impressed his club academy, community staff and those from outside the club with his positive attitude and likeable personality.
Judson said: "This will mean an awful lot to Dimitar, he has dedicated himself not only to football but to his education too and he is progressing well both on and off the pitch.
"He is currently in Bulgaria with the under-21s but winning this will make him so proud."
