Despite being named Young Player of the Season, John Stones is already targeting an improved campaign with Everton in 2015/16. The England man was voted the best young player of 2014/15 at the Club’s 10th Annual End of Season Awards evening at St George’s Hall, ahead of the likes of James McCarthy, Romelu Lukaku and Muhamed Besic.

It made it three awards in a week for Stones as he scooped the Supporters’ Clubs Player of the Year and the Shareholders’ Association’s Outstanding Young Player of the Year accolade.

“It’s hard to put it into words how much it means to know the fans have voted for me,” he reflected. “It’s an honour and a massive achievement in my book because there have been some great players who have won this award in the past – now I have one and I’m very proud of it.

“I didn’t expect everything to happen so soon, it’s as simple as that. I think you just want to try and get games and be around the first team when I first came in, but I’ve played for England and made more than 50 appearances for Everton.

“It’s gone very quickly – I’ve been over the moon with how it has gone and hopefully there is plenty more to come as well.”

While the season has been a challenging one in terms of results and league position, Stones believes he has benefited from the trials and tribulations of balancing a European campaign with domestic competition, and hopes to take the lessons learnt into 2015/16.

“I’d say it’s been a good experience,” he added. “We all know the results and performances haven’t been good enough, but I think we’ve shown a lot of character and determination.

“Personally, it’s been a big learning curve and I think I’ve grown as a person, as well as a player.

“I’m always looking to improve. I’m always looking to keep the goals out – but I’d love to add a couple more if I could.”

 

Original article appeared on Evertonfc.com :