Brentford Manager Mark Warburton said he was delighted to have been named Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month for December.
Mark’s award came exactly a month after he took charge and he said he could not have imagined he would get it.
He praised the players and the staff for their work and said the award was down to them.
Mark was named Brentford Manager on December 10, a few days after former boss Uwe Rösler left the role.
The Bees have won his first five games in charge, including away wins against fellow promotion challengers Preston North End and Peterborough United.
That extended Brentford’s run of form to 12 wins in the last 13 Sky Bet League One matches and took them to the top of the table.
In December, The Bees picked up four wins out of four in Sky Bet League One.
They won away to Preston and at home to Oldham Athletic, Swindon Town and Milton Keynes Dons.
They were beaten by Carlisle United in an FA Cup with Budweiser Second Round match that does not count for the award nomination and started 2014 with a win at Peterborough on January 1, a game that will count for January’s award.
Mark, speaking to Bees Player yesterday after learning he had won, said it was fantastic for the Club that both he and Sam Saunders – named Sky Bet League One Player of the Month for December – won the awards.
“I am delighted,” he said.
“It is a real privilege and an honour but it is all down to the quality of the players.
“It is testament to all the hard work of the players and the staff.
“I couldn’t have imagined I would get it.
“It is great.
“I hope there are a few more to come.
“It is fantastic for the Club.”
When Mark first took charge Sam was a substitute against Oldham.
He came off the substitute’s bench to set up the winner for Jonathan Douglas against Oldham and then came on in the first half against Preston, scoring the third in a 3-0 win.
He started against Swindon, scoring one of Brentford’s goals in a 3-2 win, and then scored one and made one in the win against MK Dons.
He also set up a goal for Farid El Alagui in the cup defeat against Carlisle and continued where he left off in December by scoring one and making one in the New Year’s Day win at Peterborough.
Mark said Sam had taken his chance and he fully deserved the recognition.
“Sam was given a chance,” said Mark.
“We spoke to the players about working to be the best they can be every day, even when they are out of the team.
“Sam has applied himself well.
“He had a chance and he grabbed it.
“Sam has done really well; he has scored four goals in four games and fully deserves the award.
“It has been a pleasure to watch him play over the Christmas period.”
Mark Warburton’s reaction to the two awards can be seen on the Club’s YouTube channel here.