Exclusive:Chris Wilder and Billy Sharp among big winners at The Star Football Awards as two Sheffield Wednesday heroes also honoured

Two of the biggest names in South Yorkshire sport were honoured with prestigious prizes at The Star Football Awards in Sheffield this week.

The annual celebration for teams across the region saw Sheffield United and Doncaster Rovers goalscoring hero Billy Sharp inducted into the Hall of Fame, while Blades boss Chris Wilder given a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Over in the Owls camp, there were two special awards to recognise two key men in the squad.

Barry Bannan was given an Outstanding Achievement Award for his leadership during a well-documented, hugely difficult summer at Wednesday while Liam Palmer was also honoured after moving beyond 500 appearances for the Owls this season.

Sharp received his award from editor of The Star, Claire Lewis and upon picking it up, told host Paul Walker, “You have got Ronnie Moore stuck in the middle of a lot of Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United greats. Ted Hemsley, Tony Currie, Brian Deane, David Hirst, Chris Waddle, John Sheridan who I've spoken to tonight. Yeah, fabulous players from different generations. So for me to be able to receive this award tonight, it's an absolute honour.”

Neil Warnock was unable to be in attendance but recording a video which was played buring the ceremony where he admitted, letting Sharp leave United when he was a young striker was one of his biggest regrets in a long managerial career.

Chris Wilder was handed the Lifetime Achievement Award by Sharp, who was named captain of United when the Blades boss first took over in 2016.

The honour, though, was recognition, not just for his achievements as manager of United but his playing career with the Blades and Rotherham and his work with junior football clubs across the city through the years.

“It's just great, I mean, it's just fabulous,” said Wilder. “It's a fabulous city to be involved in, you know. It's a unique football city to be involved in. And you look around the room and I think Billy's already said it, you know, the people that I've played against, played with, managed against, managed with, the media guys and everything.

“And then I look at the people that have won this incredible award. Alan Hodgkinson, Derek Dooley, Dave Bassett, Tony Currie, our best ever player. Incredible. I'm proud of my work for my pals, my family and everybody associated with the football club.”

Bannan, now at Millwall after moving in January, was unable to make the awards as he prepares for his side’s final match of the season this weekend, which could determine whether or not the Lions make it to the Premier League.

But Palmer collected his to warm applause from attendees at the OEC in Sheffield.

"It's been tough, but I think being able to honour this club and turn up every day is the driver,” he admitted. “I joined the club at seven years old and I'm 34 now, so there's no place I'd rather play. It's through good times and the bad. I've won awards before when we've had promotion and good times are when it's easy to speak. It's not always so easy when you've had such an unprecedented season with a lot of blows. We want to finish strong on Saturday, we hope with new owners and the club can get on its way again."

On the club front, Callum O’Hare was named Sheffield United Player of the Year while the Gordon Banks Award for Young Player of the Year went to Blades winger Andre Brooks.

United’s Women’s team had Jess Reavill come out on top after a season in which they secured their status in WSL2.

Chesterfield, who can still be promoted from League Two via the Play-Offs are by far the most successful team in what has been a largely disappointing season overall, picked up two awards, being named Team of the Year and boss Paul Cook given the Manager of the Year prize. Their own Player of the Year went to Zach Hemming.

Palmer and Svante Ingelsson were named as joint Wednesday Players of the Year and their manager Henrik Pedersen said of the pair: "They have been a big inspiration. We always say the human always comes first and they are two good examples. How they have treated all the young guys, how they have been a mirror for the young guys is amazing.

“There have been a lot of very, very difficult days and with so many young guys coming in? Wow it is tough. But then they meet Liam, they meet Svante, they meet some of the other teammates and they have been fantastic."

Doncaster Rovers’ Player of the Year went to Owen Bailey and Doncaster Rovers Belles’ top performer was Ruby Jex-Oldfield.

Rotherham United’s award went to young Manchester United loanee Dan Gore and Barnsley’s David McGoldrick picked up the Tykes’ gong for his incredible contrubution to their season.