Barrow striker Billy Waters has been named the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month for November.
His four goals in three games may have been from a total distance of only 18 yards, but they showcased perfectly his predatory instincts, turning home loose balls in the box, including a brilliant volley on the turn in his hat-trick against Colchester.
Barrow manager Pete Wild said: “It’s a great achievement for Bill and a well-deserved award. I’m really pleased for him.
“He’s now bringing goals to his game and re-establishing himself back in League Two, evidenced by winning this award. I know the group will be really pleased for Billy too.”
Waters said: “I’m absolutely delighted to win this award, to be Player of the Month for League Two is a fantastic achievement for me personally.
“It’s been a tough road at times the past few years for me, so it means a lot to win this award.
“I dropped out of the Football League in 2020. I had a good spell at Torquay and then Pete Wild picked me up and brought me back north to play for Halifax, and then obviously brought me to Barrow.
“The fans at Barrow have been fantastic for us this season. They really spur the lads on, and Holker Street is a stadium where you feel the fans are close and right behind you.
“I have a manager in Pete Wild who believes in me, which helps massively. We’ve got a fantastic set of lads here too.
“We’ve had a great year so far as a team, and I’m excited to get right back out there and see where this season takes us.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “November brought a fantastic return for Barrow striker Billy Waters as his poacher instincts reaped the rewards.
“November may have only yielded three games, but Waters managed to bag on four occasions, all results of his predatory instinct and clinical finishing.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “November saw Barrow striker Billy Waters hit a rich vein of form with four goals in three games to take his tally to seven for the season.
“His goals have helped to keep Barrow in fourth place in Sky Bet League Two.
“Barrow were favourites for relegation before a ball was kicked at 11/4 (500/1 now) and as big as 14/1 for promotion for which they are now only 4/1.
“Sky Bet probably have to conclude that we got it wrong about them before the season – and they’ve really surprised us with some excellent recruitment from the National League.
“Waters and some of his teammates hadn’t really convinced at this level in the past, but the results have spoken for themselves, and Pete Wild and his team deserve full credit for that.”
The judging panel for the Sky Bet Player of the Month comprises Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman; EFL Chief Executive Trevor Birch and Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies.
Carlisle United’s top scorer Kristian Dennis and former Barrow and Carlisle forward Andy Cook were in the original list of players nominated.
