Championship
Goalkeeper: Sam Johnstone (Aston Villa) This was his 10th loan from Manchester United but game time allowed the 25-year-old to shine, including preposterous saves against Cardiff and Wolves. Only John Ruddy kept more clean sheets than his 22.
Right-back: Ryan Fredericks (Fulham) His athleticism was key in transforming defence into attack. Brimming with energy, he has been a three-in-one figurine, adventurous and efficient in both boxes; a modern touchline-hugging full-back.
Centre-back: Conor Coady (Wolves) After being used at right-back and defensive midfield, Coady has flourished at sweeper in a back three. Monstrous in defence and capable in attack.
Centre-back: Sean Morrison (Cardiff City) Neil Warnock has waxed lyrical about Sol Bamba but alongside the Ivorian his captain has been the bedrock of success. Six goals since February helped them clinch promotion too.
Left-back: Barry Douglas (Wolves) It is impossible to look beyond the flying Scotsman who, amid the lavish spending, has excelled since a €750,000 move from Konyaspor. Deadly from dead balls, the assist-king proved a bargain.
Centre-midfield: Rúben Neves (Wolves) The 21-year-old has oozed class, picking passes for fun and racking up a stunning catalogue of strikes, notably that 35-yard volley against Derby.
Centre-midfield: Kevin McDonald (Fulham) The anchorman in Slavisa Jokanovic’s three-man midfield and Fulham would not be the same without him. The streetwise Scot allowed Tom Cairney and Stefan Johansen to thrive.
Right wing: Harry Wilson (Hull City) The 21-year-old made a big splash in 14 matches on loan from Liverpool, scoring seven goals. Robert Snodgrass and Junior Hoilett did damage but Wilson singlehandedly lit up a miserable Hull campaign.
Attacking midfield: James Maddison (Norwich City) An export from Coventry’s revered academy, he has shimmered in his first full Championship season. Showcased delicate footwork, intricate passing and a knack for the spectacular.
Left wing: Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham) His hurtling shuttles have drawn comparisons to Gareth Bale and Marcelo but Sessegnon’s nose for the net (16 goals) is his USP. Capped the season with a cute assist at Wembley.
Striker: Bobby Reid (Bristol City) The academy graduate relished the responsibility of leading the line after being pushed further forward by Lee Johnson. A relentless runner, the 25-year-old’s transformation has been seamless.
Subs John Ruddy, Darnell Fisher, Ryan Woods, Tom Cairney, Junior Hoilett, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Lewis Grabban
Manager: Neil Warnock (Cardiff City) The marmite Yorkshireman produced his best trick yet in steering Cardiff to the Premier League. A magician when it comes to building team spirit and revitalising also-rans.
League One
Goalkeeper: Dean Henderson (Shrewsbury Town) The rapport between the Manchester United loanee and Salop supporters speaks volumes. England Under-21 international made stunning saves look simple – another at Wembley last Sunday.
Right-back: Josh Emmanuel (Rotherham United) Another loanee who has relished regular game time, the 20-year-old showed pace and power in abundance. Will fancy his chances of breaking in at Ipswich next season.
Centre-back: Toto Nsiala (Shrewsbury) Has had a bumpy ride to becoming a mainstay – he was released by Everton before a stint in Vietnam – but proved a calming presence alongside Omar Beckles.
Centre-back: Chey Dunkley (Wigan Athletic) A pillar of the division’s meanest defence – they shut out Manchester City – he has stood out since arriving on a free from Oxford United.
Left-back: Charlie Mulgrew (Blackburn Rovers) The versatile captain has shone in the heart of Tony Mowbray’s backline. Scored 14 goals – six penalties – with his left foot, more than any other defender in the country.
Centre-midfield: Graham Carey (Plymouth Argyle) Plymouth’s pearl for the past couple of years, the Irishman has enjoyed another stellar season, helping the club to the verge of the play-offs.
Centre-midfield: Bradley Dack (Blackburn) Scooped no fewer than 10 awards in his first season since a £750,000 switch from Gillingham. At last has a chance to prove himself in Championship.
Centre-midfield: Nick Powell (Wigan Athletic) Has displayed much of the promise that led Sir Alex Ferguson to talk him up as Paul Scholes’s successor at Old Trafford. An elegant operator, fancied by Brighton.
Striker: Brett Pitman (Portsmouth) A serial goalscorer and shrewd summer signing by Kenny Jackett. Hit 23 league goals despite niggling injuries.
Striker: Jack Marriott (Peterborough United) Few players’ stock is higher than the 33-goal striker. A revelation since joining from Luton last June, and Posh are resigned to losing their prized asset, a player farmed out to Woking in 2015.
Striker: Will Grigg (Wigan Athletic) Followed up making his mark via Northern Ireland supporters’ song with only five league goals in 2016-17. But after conjuring up a good relationship with Powell, has been reborn under manager Paul Cook.
Subs: David Raya, Dan Burn, Ben Godfrey, Will Vaulks, Erhun Oztumer, Danny Graham
Manager: Paul Hurst (Shrewsbury) Guided a team tipped for relegation to the brink of the Championship. Deservedly given a chance to manage higher after signing a three-year deal at Ipswich.
League Two
Goalkeeper: Marek Stech (Luton Town) Kept 15 clean sheets after leaving Sparta Prague to sign for his former Yeovil Town team-mate Nathan Jones. A gentle giant but also one of Luton’s leaders.
Right-back: Jack Stacey (Luton) Another impressive season after starring on loan at Exeter in 2016-17. The 22-year-old former Reading trainee caught the eye with marauding, overlapping runs.
Centre-back: Mark Hughes (Accrington Stanley) One half of a watertight partnership alongside Jimmy Dunne, the captain played every minute of their title-winning campaign to help the team to the joint-best defensive record.
Centre-back: Adam El-Abd (Wycombe Wanderers) The 33-year-old is settled after a difficult couple of years since leaving boyhood club Brighton. By his own admission, one of a “number of captains” in Gareth Ainsworth’s squad.
Left-back: Tom James (Yeovil Town) The reliable Welshman made 51 appearances in his breakthrough season. Former Cardiff trainee, 22, could be the latest to depart for a bigger fish.
Centre-midfield: Jorge Grant (Notts County) Joined Nottingham Forest in 2013 via Reading and the Nike Academy. His most recent move, across the Trent, has been his most prosperous, though, with Grant regularly grasping centre stage.
Centre-midfield: Tom Bayliss (Coventry City) Coventry’s next big thing, the teenager, who joined aged 12, looks set to follow a well-trodden path. Dancing feet, daring and direct, he made his full debut in December.
Centre-midfield: Sean McConville (Accrington) Part of the team that missed automatic promotion by one goal in 2016 and a key cog in getting over the line this time. John Coleman demanded more end product and he delivered.
Striker: Billy Kee (Accrington) Kee finished as the division’s top scorer after an extraordinary year. Has spoken powerfully about his struggles off the pitch but excelled on it.
Striker: Mohamed Eisa (Cheltenham Town) A year on from giving Ryman South defenders the runaround, Eisa is one of the Football League’s most prolific strikers. The Sudan-born striker got 25 goals in his first season as a professional.
Striker: Marc McNulty (Coventry) Persuaded by Michael Doyle, Coventry’s captain, to join, McNulty scored 28 goals after a stuttering start. Unselfish and savvy.
Subs: Aaron Chapman, Dan Potts, Luke O’Nien, Sammie Szmodics, Jayden Stockley, Christian Doidge
Manager: John Coleman (Accrington) There is an argument that the ebullient scouser’s achievements put Pep Guardiola’s success in the shade. Promotion was a magnificent reward for his hard-working side.