I feel proud to have been named Charlton’s 2009/10 player of the year. There are a number of players who I’m sure were up there in the vote – the likes of Jose Semedo, Nicky Bailey, Frazer Richardson and countless others who have done so well, so I’m as proud as it’s possible to feel.

When you look at the names on the trophy from previous years, it’s a real honour.

I put a lot into my football and it’s a big part of my life. Even though I only joined the club at the start of the season, Charlton has become a big part of my life, too, so that sort of appreciation means an awful lot to me.

I’ve had a long career and I’ve played for a few clubs but I’ve always come second or third in the end-of-season awards – it’s happened a number of times.

I think what’s different now is that I’m enjoying my football more than ever before.

The management team at the club our top quality. Our staff – from Phil Parkinson down to the medical team, the doctor and the fitness boys – are terrific.

I don’t know why the fans selected me.

I aim to leave the ground at the end of each match knowing I’ve given as much as it’s possible for me to give, physically and mentally, and hopefully they’ve recognised that.

It’s an approach that can cause problems. I sometimes get a little problem with my voice from all the talking and shouting I do on the pitch and it was particularly bad on Sunday night when I had to give a speech after collecting my award.

I had a sore throat the day before the Leeds United match and the doctor told me to rest my voice but it’s not easy when you’re playing in front of 23,000 noisy fans and it’s an important part of my game.

I’m thankful for the support I’ve received from the fans right from the first day I came to the club.

When you consider the disappointments they’ve had over the past few years, the backing this year has been superb – we’ve probably got no right to expect that level of support.

That was epitomised by the crowd against Leeds. That game would have finished 0-0 without the fans – it was their singing and their support that willed the ball into the net.

Automatic promotion is still a possibility on the final day of the season.

It’s quite handy that Swindon Town and Millwall are playing each other because that’s just one game where the result has to go our way, rather than two.

We’ve got to make sure we do our own job, though. Oldham Athletic are safe from relegation, so they might be able to play with a bit of freedom and I’m sure it will be party time at their ground because it’s their final home game.

But we have to go there and be business-like and get on with the job.