Pompey's Catlin in running for top honour

The 51-year-old has already been recognised by football industry magazine fcbusiness as the outstanding candidate from League Two.

Now he will compete with fellow divisional winners to claim the top accolade.

And the recipient of the overall award will be announced at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium on November 3.

Catlin said: ‘This is a fantastic achievement and says a lot about how far we have advanced as a club in a relatively short space of time.

‘Other clubs look at us and comment just how much we have come on, which is tremendously pleasing.

‘It is great to be recognised, but this is not about me – it’s the staff, board of directors, supporters, in fact, everyone associated with Portsmouth Football Club.

‘By winning the League Two award and going into a final against other winners, you are effectively collecting accolades on behalf of everyone associated with our football club.

‘You are only as good as the people around you and I know I am really fortunate to be surrounded by some wonderful people.

‘It shows that while you tend to beat yourself up on different issues, the football world clearly perceive us to now be a well-run, stable club striving for excellence across all areas.’

Previous winners include West Ham’s Karren Brady, Swansea’s Huw Jenkins and Paul Barber from Brighton & Hove Albion.