Birmingham City hotshot Demarai Gray was named Professional Sportsman of the Year at the 2015 Birmingham Sports Award last night.

Gray pipped Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish and Birmingham-born Ashes winner Moeen Ali to the award.

The 19-year-old winger has become one of the most coveted talents outside the Premier League, developing into a mainstay of Gary Rowett’s Blues side.

Gray’s direct and lively style of play has also earned him recognition on the international scene, where he has broken into the England U20 squad after appearances at U18 and U19 level.

Off the pitch, his conduct during a prolonged and public transfer saga has received plaudits. (A piece I wrote for the Birmingham Mail)

Gray, who is with the Blues squad ahead of tonight’s Sky Bet Championship clash with Ipswich Town and as such was unable to attend the ceremony at Villa Park, tweeted: “Nice to wake up and see I was named Professional Sportsman of the Year at the Birmingham Sports Awards last night. Happy to be awarded this!”

Panos Pavlakis collected the award on behalf of the wing wizard and included a picture of the prize.

But Dimmy’s award wasn’t the only one for Blues on the night, as Birmingham City Ladies star Karen Carney was named Professional Sportswoman of the Year.

Carney reached the World Cup semi-final with England earlier this year and remains one of the most talented and popular female footballers in the country.

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