Robbie Cowling, Colchester United’s chairman and owner, has been voted the fcbuisness League One CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of the Year for 2014.

This is a notable achievement for the hard-working Cowling, although he lost out to Derby County’s Sam Rush for the overall award at last night’s ceremony in London.

U’s executive chairman Robbie Cowling had been voted for the prestigious League One CEO of the Year award by fellow chairmen and chief executives, in recognition of the investment in time and money he has put into safeguarding the future of the Essex club.

Cowling oversaw the move to the new ground, at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, in 2008, and later the switch to the impressive new training complex at Florence Park in Tiptree.

The U’s supremo also helped the U’s to attain the much-needed Category Two Academy status for this season.

The respective winners in each category were: Premier League (Ivan Gazidis, Arsenal), Championship (Sam Rush, Derby County), League One (Robbie Cowling, Colchester United), League Two (Russ Green, Hartlepool United) and Scottish Premier (Steve Brown, St. Johnstone).

It was Derby chief executive Rush who won the overall award, at a glittering awards ceremony held at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium last night.

Also at the awards ceremony, Peter Kenyon was honoured for his Outstanding Contribution to Football, while Manchester United and England legend Sir Bobby Charlton was given special recognition with a new award, Global Football Ambassador.

Chelsea FC scooped the Best Football Club Hospitality award, with Manchester City winning the Best Match Day Experience award.