Sanders’ inclusion in the EFL League Two Team of the Season may not have happened at all if not for a phone call in Tenerife

Simply being at the EFL Awards was a surreal experience for Jack Sanders, and being included in the League Two Team of the Year was the icing on the cake.

The defender, in his first full EFL campaign, has proven to be a stand-out performer for MK Dons this season, and could be celebrating promotion to League One on Saturday afternoon should they beat Tranmere Rovers at Stadium MK.

One of three Dons players included in the league’s best alongside Liam Kelly and Callum Paterson, Sanders admitted it was not long ago that he was watching the EFL Awards as a fan, eager to see his favourite Burnley players pick up their awards.

“I remember watching these awards when I was youngster, knowing Burnley players were nominated for awards,” he said. “When I got there, it was a bit surreal, not knowing I’d ever get to attend the awards.

“It’s a personal achievement that I take with me, but nothing could be done without my team-mates at the staff here. It’s a real honour to be amongst such high calibre players, was it was great for Liam and Pato too.

“It was a huge honour for myself and my family. It’s my first full season in the EFL. Last season was very different to this one, when I arrived last January, but I’m really proud of what I’ve done this season. When my career finishes, I’ll look back at fondly.”

As a 20-year-old, Sanders had never signed professional contract with a football club and could have missed out entirely on a career in the game.

Playing in non-league, the centre-back was offered a trial with Wigan Athletic while he was away on holiday, prompting him to cut it short and a conversation with the boss of his day job.

He continued: “I was never a part of an academy, I just played football with my friends until I was about 16, then joined a Sunday League team where I was playing but not at a good level. I joined a men’s team and then ended up moving to Leek Town, but I was also working, doing software sales in Manchester which I really enjoyed.

“I never had any aspirations to be a footballer, I just never thought it was possible. None of my friends were footballers, I just played it for the enjoyment.

“But then I got a call from Wigan while I was on holiday to come for a trial which was great, until I realised I didn’t have any work holiday left to take! It meant I had to cut my holiday short, fly home and talk to my work, who were so accommodating so I could take the trial. I didn’t know if it was the right thing to do, or if anything would come of it.

“I ended up being offered a contract which meant I had to leave my job, but they were so happy for me.”