Morecambe boss wins December's managerial award in League Two

The Shrimps’ boss claimed the prize after guiding his team to five victories from six during the month, lifting them into the play-off places.

Four of those came at the Mazuma Stadium with Barrow AFC, Harrogate Town, Leyton Orient and Grimsby Town all beaten, as well as victory at Colchester United.

Adams saw off competition from Chris Beech (Carlisle United), Mark Molesley (Southend United) and John Yems (Crawley Town).

“I’m delighted,” Adams said of his award.

“It’s been a very good month when we have picked up five wins and that’s enabled us to get 15 points.

“We were unfortunate not to get anything at Newport but, that aside, it’s been excellent.

“We have put ourselves in a good position, and although we haven’t played the last two games (Bolton Wanderers and Bradford City), we have been able to stay in the play-off positions.

“We’re in a good position in the league. We’re on 34 points after 20 games with another 26 games to be played so we’ll see what the second half of the season brings.”

Danny Wilson chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel and said: “It was a brilliant December run for Derek and his team, winning five out of six games which propelled them into the play-off places.”

Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman added: “December is always tricky for any team, so navigating the month with a 100 per cent record on your home ground has to be commended.

“Morecambe were resilient to the extreme in the lead-up to Christmas. Inspired by Derek Adams, the Lancashire side won four from four at the Mazuma Stadium, and were even able to take an extra win on the road, putting them in position to be a contender at the turn of the year.”

However, Morecambe were unable to make it a double as Carlos Mendes-Gomes missed out on winning the players’ prize.

Mendes-Gomes had been on the shortlist after scoring five goals in six games during December, also contributing an assist for good measure.

He, along with Rhys Bennett (Carlisle United) and Wes McDonald (Walsall), missed out to Crawley Town’s Max Watters, who scored six times in as many games last month.

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