KENNY Dalglish, the man who led Blackburn Rovers to the Premiership title 20 years ago this season, was last night honoured at the MBNA Northwest Football of the Year Awards.

The 63-year-old followed in the footsteps of fellow Scot, Sir Alex Ferguson, by receiving the lifetime achievement award at the Manchester event.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Also among the winners at The Point, Emirates Old Trafford, was long-serving Rovers fan Alan Birkbeck.

Birkbeck, better known as ‘Birdy’, was presented with the unsung hero award to recognise his dedication to the club.

Rovers went home empty handed despite being nominated in three categories.

Striker Jordan Rhodes was beaten to the Championship player of the year award by Burnley’s Danny Ings.

Midfielder Tom Cairney was one five players, including Everton and England star Ross Barkley, to miss out on the rising star award to Manchester City’s Marcos Lopes.

Rovers were also in the running for the best club sponsorship, marketing and engagement award for the promotional video, which starred ‘Birdy’, they used to launch their new home kit in the summer.

But the award went to Everton.

Blackburn-born former Rovers forward Joe Garner, meanwhile, was named the League One player of the year.

And Burnley boss Sean Dyche beat Liverpool’s Brendan Rodgers and Manchester City’s Manuel Pellegrini to the manager of the year award.