A SIX-YEAR-OLD who is battling against a brain tumour has been presented an award naming his player of the year at Scottish Premiership side St Mirren.
Over 500 fans took part in an online poll run by the Black and White Army supporters group to choose Aaron Woodall as the winner.
The junior academy prospect earned more votes than top scorer and former fan favourite Kenny McLean, who was sold to Aberdeen in January.
St Mirren was relegated from the Scottish Premiership last week.
Aaron has now picked up a glass trophy and a framed St Mirren shirt, signed by members of the 2013 League Cup winning team in recognition of being player of the year.
He was diagnosed at the end of last year but has come through a successful operation to remove the tumour and is now receiving chemotherapy treatment.
The youngster has continued to follow his team throughout the illness and in December he led his side out ahead of their clash with Motherwell just hours after being released from hospital.
St Mirren's football development officer Ross Paterson paid tribute to the boy, saying: "Aaron is in the 2008 junior academy squad and prior to Christmas he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. He underwent a variety of tests and he got the not-so-good news about the tumour.
"Since then we have been supporting him the best way we can, and the family. We don't view our young players as footballers, we view them as people first and foremost and we have done our best to help from his diagnosis to now
"It hasn't been a fantastic season on the pitch but there has been a lot of things happening off the pitch and I think it was recognised by the supporters club that Aaron was a worthy candidate for the player with the year with the character, strength and determination that he is showing in his battle against the tumour.
"He is now working very hard to fight through his operations and his rehabilitation."
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