Eni Aluko urges fans to ‘back their favourites’ ahead of the inaugural Women’s Football Awards

Former England and Chelsea star Eni Aluko has urged the public to continue casting their votes ahead of the inaugural Women’s Football Awards.

The ceremony will take place in London on May 25, with the event supported by Sportsmail.

The public has until Friday, April 21, to cast their votes across eight award categories, including the coveted Player of the Year – with Beth Mead, Leah Williamson and Mary Earps among those in the running.

An International Player of the Year is also up for grabs with a glittering shortlist including Alexia Putellas, Alex Morgan and Lucy Bronze.

Aluko, who will host the ceremony alongside Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, has urged fans to back their favourites ahead of the ceremony.  

Eni Aluko, centre, will host the Women’s Football Awards with Jamie Carragher next month

Several of England’s Lionesses have been shortlisted for the 2023 Women’s Football Awards

Beth Mead, left, and Leah Williamson, right, are in contention for the Player of the Year award

‘I am proud to be involved with the Women’s Football Awards,’ said Aluko, who made 102 appearances for the England national team.

‘It will be an incredible event, highlighting the amazing work of players, brands, organisations and journalists to grow the game we love.

‘It is the first major publicly voted women’s football awards to be held in this country and I want everyone to make sure they back their favourites ahead of the big night.

‘It is incredibly important for the public to be as closely involved as possible in the voting and to get behind their heroes.

‘I am so excited to see all the winners on May 25th and to celebrate the incredible achievements of everybody in the room.’

The Women’s Football Awards will pay tribute to grassroots greatness as well as national and international superstars of the women’s game. 

Champions of the women’s game will be recognised, with the list including Ian Wright, Karen Carney and former England manager Phil Neville.

Harry Kane and Jordan Henderson are among those shortlisted for Male Football Ally of the Year in honour of their work to promote women’s football and Sportsmail’s Kathryn Batte is in the running for Women’s Football Broadcaster or Journalist of the Year, coming up against the likes of Alex Scott, Laura Woods and Kate Abdo. 

A full list of all the shortlists for the awards can be found at womensfootballawards.com.  

Votes will then be assessed and ratified by a judging panel including Lionesses Nikita Parris and Jess Carter and sports media personalities such as Hayley McQueen, Sue Smith and Seema Jaswal.

The Women’s Football Awards will be taking place in the build-up to this summer’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The public are invited to cast their votes on the shortlist at womensfootballawards.com. The Women’s Football Awards, sponsored by SHEIN, will take place on 25 May.