BURNLEY defender Kieran Trippier has pipped striker and top scorer Jay Rodriguez to become the supporters’ clubs’ overall player of the year.

Right back Trippier got four of the votes to 21-goal Rodriguez’s three at the fans’ groups’ end of season presentation at Turf Moor last night.

Michael Duff and Dean Marney were also among the prizes, while long-serving goalkeeper Brian Jensen was handed an appreciation award.

But it was a close-fought battle between the club’s two stand-out performers this season, with Trippier having the edge over Rodriguez, despite the homegrown striker being voted into the PFA Championship team of the year by his peers.

The former Manchester City defender has been an instant hit since arriving at Turf Moor, originally on loan, after Tyrone Mears was sold to Bolton Wanderers in the summer.

Having relied on Mears as an additional attacking outlet, there were fears Burnley’s forward play would suffer in Mears’ absence.

But Trippier has proved a more than capable replacement for the former West Ham and Derby defender, chipping in with six assists and four goals - all of which have contributed to league and cup wins.

Howe sacrificed spending money on new players in the January transfer window in order to secure the 21-year-old and fellow Manchester City loanee Ben Mee on permanent deals.

And fan Chris Wells, a member of North Manchester Clarets and the Clarets Trust, believes it was a wise decision.

“Kieran Trippier has had an outstanding season and made a major contribution to the team,” he said.

“He has great commitment, enthusiasm and relates to the crowd on the pitch. Even during the course of the game you can see him geeing the fans up.

“He’s a young man still making his way in the game, but he has been a breath of fresh air in his first season with the club.”

Clarets legend Jimmy Robson received the annual award for services to Burnley Football Club, presented by former player and chief executive Paul Fletcher.

There was also a special award for the youth team, in recognition of them reach the FA Youth Cup semi-finals, the Lancashire FA Youth Cup final and challenging for the Youth Alliance North West Division.

Fans’ votes

London Clarets Player of the Year: Kieran Trippier

Sheffield Clarets Moment of the Year: Jay Rodriguez’s late winner at Hull City

Rossendale Clarets Player of the Year: Dean Marney

North Manchester Clarets Player of the Year: Kieran Trippier

Colne Clarets Player of the Year: Michael Duff

Clarets' Trust Player of the Year: Kieran Trippier

Burnley Supporters' Club Goal of the season: Jay Rodriguez (v Peterborough at home)

Burnley Supporters' Club Away Player of the Year: Kieran Trippier

Burnley Supporters' Club Young Player of the Year: Kieran Trippier

Burnley Supporters' Club Player of the Year: Jay Rodriguez

Skipton Clarets Appreciation award: Brian Jensen

Barrowford Clarets Player of the Year: Kieran Trippier

Accrington Clarets Special award for bravery: Ben Mee (headed clearance v Reading, away)

Accrington Clarets Goal of the season: Kieran Trippier (v Middlesbrough away)

Accrington Clarets Player of the Year: Jay Rodriguez

West Yorkshire Clarets Away day goals of the season: David Edgar (late brace at Hull City)

West Yorkshire Clarets Assist of the season: Junior Stanislas (v Blackpool at home)

West Yorkshire Clarets Ultimate champagne moment: Ross Wallace (free kick v Blackpool at home)

Earby Clarets Exciting newcomer: Kieran Trippier

Earby Clarets Player of the Year: Jay Rodriguez