Derby County Ladies have received notification that they have been shortlisted in the ' Club Of The Year ' category for this years prestigious Derby Telegraph Sports Awards. Shortlisted candidates are selected on a number of criteria relating to both on and off the field success. For club CEO, Duncan Gibb, the news has been welcomed, as what has proved to be a landmark year in the clubs history draws to a close.

" At senior level over the course of 2015, the club has gone from serious relegation candidates to league title contenders with basically the same squad of players. Dig deeper and there have been a number of successes at both reserve and academy level in terms of not just results, titles and cups but player development as well "

" The bulk of the criteria relate to off the field success and it's been another hugely successful year for the club on that front. Through a DCLFC driven project undertaken in partnership with club partner The Merlin, over £ 1,300 was collected for the main DCFC charity of choice, Macmillan Cancer Research, whilst the club has worked tirelessly and very successfully to not only raise it's own profile, but also that of the women's game. In 2015 alone we have enjoyed three gates of over 400. This is unheard of at our level however these didn't happen by chance with a huge amount of work being undertaken to promote these fixtures.

Further work as part of the clubs much heralded Community Engagement Programme has seen the clubs players undertake visits to the childrens hospital, a residential nursing home and a number of community facilities, whilst the schools girls football festival attracted over 40 schools this year.

The club will find out if it has been successful in winning the award at an evening long ceremony featuring local sporting celebrities that takes place at The Roundhouse on 12th November 2015.