Carl Forster has been nominated for the 2017 Kingstone Press League One Coach of the Year.

Also nominated alongside the Whitehaven player-coach are Paul Crarey, head coach of Barrow Raiders, and James Ford of York City Knights.

It’s the second year in a row that Crarey has been nominated as they look to improve on last season’s runners-up slot in the League One play-offs.

Ford has deserved credit for turning round and reviving York as they looked to be disappearing from the rugby league scene a year ago.

But Forster’s achievement in leading Whitehaven to second spot in the table, after the completion of the regular season, is a phenomenal effort.

For not only is he in his first season as a coach, but he’s also leading from the front on the field as a player-coach.

Whitehaven chairman Tommy Todd said: “I am not surprised at his nomination because it is thoroughly deserved.

"Not only was it his first season in charge, but he was the youngest coach in Rugby League and he was doing it all as a player, as well.

“I think we saw at the weekend how well he’s done when Toronto had their hardest home game of the season. The team did themselves proud, the club proud and the town proud.”

In their first season since formation, the Wolfpack have two players nominated for the League One Player of the Year – hooker Bob Beswick and captain Craig Hall are shortlisted, alongside Barrow Raiders prop Joe Bullock.

The League One Young Player of the Year shortlist features two players from York City Knights. Full-back Ash Robson and half-back Liam Harris are nominated alongside Lewis Young of Newcastle Thunder.

York visit the Recreation Ground on Sunday but Robson won’t be involved as he was suspended for six matches for spiting at Chris Taylor in the league match at Bootham Crescent in June.