MARK BONNER WINS SKY BET LEAGUE TWO MANAGER OF THE MONTH FOR SEPTEMBER

Cambridge United Head Coach Mark Bonner has claimed the first Sky Bet League Two Manager of the Month award of the 2020/21 season.

An unbeaten League run through September which saw his side pick up two wins and a draw without conceding a goal to finish the month top of the division, has led to Mark Bonner receiving the accolade in his first full month as the Club’s permanent Head Coach.

The U’s flew out the blocks with a 3-0 home win against Carlisle United on the opening day of the season at the Abbey, before thrashing Morecambe 0-5 a week later on the road, and the month was rounded off with a solid point against Tranmere Rovers.

Having been nominated for the award back in February during his caretaker charge of the U’s, Bonner has now gone one step further in his first month in full time charge of the first team.

Bonner said: "I'm really pleased and grateful for the recognition because it's reflective of a good month for us as a team, albeit after only three League games with two wins, a draw and no goals conceded. We'd have taken that before a ball was kicked though, and it reflects a nice beginning to the season for us.

"We have to maintain that, because ultimately we have to get to a point as a team where we put ourselves in positions to win individual and team accolades in a month where we play eight games.

“We want to be a successful Club, we want to win games, be competitive and in the upper ends of the League. Therefore, individual recognitions, nominations and records are there to be taken for us all. We have to continue to work towards that ambition.”

Bonner fought off competition from Newport County’s Michael Flynn, Port Vale’s John Askey and Harrogate Town’s Simon Weaver.

The Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel comprises former Barnsley manager Danny Wilson, Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman; EFL Communications Director Mark Rowan, and Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies.