They featured in an In Memoriam section at the ceremony in Manchester.

Meppen-Walter died in September at the age of 32.

And former Ipswich Town star Turner, from Harraby, passed away last December at 70.

They were among the footballing figures to receive tributes at the start of the awards ceremony at the Deansgate Hotel on Monday evening.

Guests watched as their faces appeared on the big screen as part of a tribute to those connected to football in the region who have died over the last year.

Harraby's former Ipswich star Robin Turner was also remembered at the ceremony (Image: News & Star)

Also featuring in the tributes was the former Carlisle United and Sunderland striker Gary Rowell, who died last December aged 68.

Alex Hughes, the son of former Carlisle United head coach Mark Hughes, was also remembered following his death in June at 38.

The moving tributes came on a night that awards were presented in a host of categories marking the past year of football in the north west.

Carlisle United were shortlisted in two categories.

Callum Whelan was among the nominees for the PFA National League Community Champion, an award won by Altrincham’s Matty Kosylo.

The Blues were also in the running for the Best Club Fan Engagement Award, which was won by Liverpool FC Women.

Other top awards on the night included Jimmy McNulty, the Stockport County boss, receive the manager of the season award for leading Rochdale to National League promotion. He won the award ahead of contenders such as Pep Guardiola and Michael Carrick, with Cumbrian TV star Helen Skelton presenting the award.

Manchester City legend Mike Summerbee received the Maurice Watkins CBE Lifetime Contribution Award.

And the Joe Thompson Impact Award, named in honour of the late Carlisle United midfielder, went to Jill Scott in recognition of the former Lionesses star’s ‘Coming Home’ duathlon challenge which raised more than £500,000 for Sport Relief.

The latter award was presented by Joe's wife and daughter, Chantelle and Thailula.

A number of former Carlisle United players attended the award including Dean Furman, Ben Parker and Jamie Proctor.

FULL LIST OF WINNERS

PFA WOMEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE COMMUNITY CHAMPION 2025/26 – Naoisha McAloon, Burnley FC Women

PFA NATIONAL LEAGUE COMMUNITY CHAMPION 2025/26 – Matty Kosylo, Altrincham

PFA LEAGUE TWO COMMUNITY CHAMPION 2025/26 – Josh Woods, Accrington Stanley

PFA LEAGUE ONE COMMUNITY CHAMPION 2025/26 – Ben Hinchliffe, Stockport County

PFA CHAMPIONSHIP COMMUNITY CHAMPION 2025/26 – Max Cleworth, Wrexham

PFA WSL AND 2SL2 COMMUNITY CHAMPION 2025/26 – Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Manchester United Women

PFA PREMIER LEAGUE COMMUNITY CHAMPION 2025/26 – Ashley Barnes, Burnley

MATT BEARD WOMEN’S MANAGER OF THE SEASON 2025/26 – Andrée Jeglertz, Manchester City

MANAGER OF THE SEASON 2025/26 – Jimmy McNulty, Rochdale

BEST BUSINESS OR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ORGANISATION SERVING FOOTBALL – Foudys

BEST CLUB FAN ENGAGEMENT AWARD – Liverpool FC Women

COMMUNITY CLUB OF THE SEASON – ALL OTHER LEAGUES – Blackburn Rovers Community Trust

COMMUNITY CLUB OF THE SEASON – PREMIER LEAGUE – Everton In The Community

COMMUNITY INITIATIVE OF THE SEASON – ALL OTHER LEAGUES – Fleetwood Town Community Trust: Go Beyond – Fleetwood Town Community Hub

COMMUNITY INITIATIVE OF THE SEASON – PREMIER LEAGUE – Everton In The Community – Safe Hands

WOMEN IN FOOTBALL PROMOTING INCLUSION AWARD – Salford City Foundation – The KeepHERS Programme In Partnership With Mary Earps

UNSUNG HERO – The Trustees of Liverpool Feds

JOE THOMPSON IMPACT AWARD – Jill Scott

FAN MEDIA, INFLUENCER, CHANNEL OR PODCAST OF THE SEASON – That’s Football

NORTHWEST FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE SEASON – Mike Keegan

NORTHWEST FOOTBALL BROADCASTER OF THE SEASON – Mike Minay

FABRICE MUAMBA AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO FOOTBALL MEDICINE & PERFORMANCE, IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE FMPA, SPONSORED BY MBST HEALTH – Dr Amanda Johnson

MAURICE WATKINS CBE LIFETIME CONTRIBUTION AWARD – Mike Summerbee OBE