DANNY Mayor may have shunned the limelight by choosing not to attend Sunday’s Football League Awards ceremony.

But manager David Flitcroft says the Bury winger has now taken his rightful place as the best player in League Two.

The 24-year-old Leyland-born midfielder sent club agent Gary Lloyd to accept the League Two player of the season award in his place, instead flying back from Saturday’s Portsmouth victory with his team-mates to concentrate on Tuesday’s showdown with Southend.

“Quite a few players might have wanted to go and stand on the stage but Danny didn’t, he wanted to get on with business,” said Flitcroft.

“That’s Danny. He’s an incredible competitor.”

Mayor signed a permanent deal at Bury last summer following a successful season on loan from Sheffield Wednesday and has become an integral part of the team’s attacking unit, scoring eight goals this campaign.

Flitcroft says he has helped the once shy midfielder become mentally stronger but credits the majority of Mayor’s development down to the player himself.

“He has taken ownership of his own career," he said.

"He is always in the gym, doing extra work. He’s not missed a day of training this season and he’s played every game – an ever present.

“He knows what it now takes to be successful. He’s had support from us all but Danny Mayor has taken it to the next level.

“He wants to become a champion in his own right and I was delighted for him.

“It’s been an extensive journey for Danny. We believed in him, but now he’s believing in himself.

“He is by a country mile the best player in the league, or certainly the best attacking and creative influence in the league. He’s an absolute magician.”