Valletta and national team veteran captain Gilbert Agius emerged as the big favourite to scoop the MFA’s Footballer of the Year award this year.

In a preliminary voting session yesterday evening, in which 19 members on the MFA's panel, took part, he polled 66 votes, eight ahead of joint second placed Kevin Sammut of Marsaxlokk and George Mallia of Birkirkara. Right behind them in fourth place was Daniel Bogdanovic of Marsaxlokk with 57 points. Fifth was another Marsaxlokk player, Luke Dimech, with 46 points.

The Footballer of the Year will be announced during an MFA Council meeting next month after consideration is given and points won by the five players for appearances with the national team and also at club level in the domestic competitions.

Other players who were nominated for the award were Roderick Bajada, Roderick Briffa, Andrew Hogg, Mario Muscat, Jamie Pace, Sharlon Pace, Brian Said, Andre Schembri and Ivan Woods.