It has been quite a season for Karl Hawley, as he celebrates being chosen as the PFA Fans' Player of the Year for 2006 - as well as winning a second successive promotion with Carlisle. The former Walsall striker smashed home 26 goals as the Cumbrians lifted the League Two title just 12 months after promotion from the Conference. Hawley, whose partnership with Michael Bridges was the most feared in the division and their goals the scourge of defences in League Two, was also named in the PFA team of the year. However, as Hawley told givemefootball's Ian Clarkson in an exclusive interview, he isn't about to rest on his laurels as Carlisle prepare for an assault on League One next term.
Q:WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON BEING NOMINATED AS THE PFA FANS' PLAYER OF THE SEASON FOR 2005-06?
A:It is great to be recognised by the supporters who vote for this award. It is always nice to win a prestigious award such as this and is an added bonus after a great season for Carlisle. It is a trophy that is voted for by fans of other clubs within our division as well, so it is an honour to be voted player of the season.
Q:DO YOU THINK THE SEASON WAS BETTER THAN EXPECTED FOR CARLISLE?
A:I don't think we did better than expected. We certainly surprised a few people at the start of the season, both the team and myself. However, by the end of the season, the surprise factor had certainly disappeared and we showed that we were the best team in the league. We won eight games out of ten leading up to and during the New Year, which really made our mark.
Q:WALSALL RELEASED YOU TWO YEARS AGO – DO YOU FEEL THAT YOU HAVE A POINT TO PROVE?
A:I suppose so. However, I don't tend to look too far into the past and hopefully we can take what we achieved last season into the next one. I am certainly looking forward to playing at a higher level and scoring more goals. I have enough confidence in my own ability to know that I can play at this level.
Q:HOW MUCH ASSISTANCE HAS MICHAEL BRIDGES BEEN THIS SEASON?
A:Michael is a quality player who has played at the highest level and his experience can only rub off on you. He is one of the lads and down to earth though and that really helps. My game has improved playing alongside Michael and hopefully we can carry that on next term. However, the manager Paul Simpson and his assistant Dennis Booth have been a big help too. They have always encouraged me and passed on good information, which I have tried to take on board.
Q:CAN YOU CONTINUE YOUR GOOD FORM NEXT SEASON AND BE IN THE FRAME FOR A THIRD CONSECUTIVE PROMOTION?
A:I don't see why we can''t do what Swansea and Southend have done and be competing at the top end of the table. We played quite a few League One teams in the LDV Vans Trophy and acquitted ourselves well. We lost in the final after extra time against Swansea and they have done well this season, so we can approach the new campaign with confidence.
