Humble Gareth McAuley lands Albion honour
Gareth McAuley has lifted the lid on Albion's unique camaraderie after becoming the first of the squad's seasonal award winners.
The 33-year-old central defender was named Player of the Year by the club's disabled supporters section.
It came as the Northern Ireland international closes out a second successive campaign of consistency for the Baggies which has led to talks about extending his contract beyond the current agreement which runs to 2014.
But there's little doubt McAuley is ready to hang his hat at The Hawthorns for as long as possible after greeting the award with a heartfelt tribute about its special chemistry.
"It's a great club," he said. "The dressing room and the lads here are fantastic and it's great to be a part of it. You play for them and you don't want to let them down.
"You try your best for them every week and that's a thing throughout the group. Everyone is trying their best for each other. The best way to describe it is like playing with your mates.
"It's the closest I've come to that feeling throughout my career, apart from when you're younger and you're playing with your friends.
"A lot of us live in the same area and have kids.
"We get together outside the club, when we have time off go and play golf and other things."
Of the award he said: "It's humbling to have won this award with all the great players we have – I'm very proud of this achievement."
