Abbott shortlisted for EFL award

George Abbott has been recognised by the English Football League after his impressive breakthrough season as a professional.

Spending the campaign on loan at Notts County for what has been his maiden season in professional football, George has been shortlisted for League Two's Young Player of the Season award as he continues to play a pivotal role in his side's fight for promotion.

Moving to Nottingham last summer on a temporary basis, the midfielder - who has already made his senior debut for us as he stepped onto the field late on as we defeated Leeds United 4-1 at the end of the 2022/23 season - has been almost ever-present for the Magpies as they look set to achieve their highest league finish in a decade.

Making his debut off the bench at the County Ground as Notts ran out 2-1 winners over Swindon back in August, George was brought into the starting XI for their next outing - a home fixture with Accrington Stanley - for his full senior debut and he played the full 90 as they picked up another three points, winning 2-0.

George Abbott has been nominated for the EFL's League Two Young Player of Season award 💫

Winners will be announced live at the league’s annual ceremony in London on Sunday 27 April. pic.twitter.com/gLhGvDdXlb

— Notts County FC (@Official_NCFC) April 16, 2025

Since then, the 19-year-old has only failed to complete the 90 minutes in four of the games he has started, showing not just the faith that has been shown in him at Meadow Lane, but also the high level of his performances.

In October, he marked his first goal involvement in senior football as his cross was powered home by Alassana Jatta in a 2-2 draw at local rivals Chesterfield.

The following month, he grabbed his first goal as a professional with a truly unique finish. Coming in a second round FA Cup tie at Peterborough United, the England youth international intercepted a loose pass from the goalkeeper before curling the ball from the touchline over the back-pedalling keeper and into the back of the net. He had earlier added another assist to his collection in the game.

And that started a somewhat prolific winter for the defence-minded youngster as he was involved in another five goals before the end of January in the league alone. Firstly, he scored in three successive away games at MK Dons, Cheltenham and Accrington before he set up key goals in victories over Swindon and Carlisle United.

He was then involved in both goals - including the assist for a 90th-minute equaliser - as Notts salvaged a 2-2 draw at Fleetwood Town in March to keep their hopes of automatic promotion alive.

A run of five defeats in their last nine games has somewhat derailed their push for one of the three automatic promotion places, however they are only four points off the pace with four games remaining - and they are still to face two of their promotion rivals in Yorkshire duo Bradford City and Doncaster Rovers.

The winner of the award will be announced live at the English Football League’s annual ceremony in London on Sunday 27 April, with the event also being broadcast live on Sky Sports Football from 8.30pm (UK).

Notts County boss Stuart Maynard on George's nomination

"It's fully deserved," he said. "I think he's been outstanding since he joined us in the summer. I'll think he has a very bright future ahead of himself. I think he has the tools and the potential. If he keeps showing us the mentality and the desire that he's showing now, I think he has the ability and the application to go play at the very top so I think Spurs have got a player on their hands that I believe that, in the next year or so, potentially, could break into their first team, he has been that good for us.

"He's been a real credit to himself and his family and and a credit to Spurs in a way that they've brought him up and his professionalism on and off the pitch - he's been incredible. He's had good senior lads that have helped him along the way. Kellan Gordon's been brilliant for him off the pitch, he's helped him so much, obviously, when you move away as a young lad and you end up staying in an apartment and stuff, it's not always easy, but we've had very good senior lads that have been around him and helped him on his journey so far, but he's been a real credit to himself.

"I think he's got the tools (for the Premier League) and he's an unbelievable lad. He comes in and trains so hard every day. We wish him all the best for his future but, for now, he's got to focus on the last four games for us and he's fully focused on it."