The award is named after Albert Goldthorpe, who is regarded as English rugby league's first superstar.

It is intended to parallel the 'Dally M Medal' named after the great Australian player Dally Messenger, which is awarded to the NRL player of the year by rugby league writers associated with the News Limited series of newspapers in Australia.

To be eligible for a vote, a player must not have been suspended from the competition at any stage during the season.

[8] The League Express also award a Rookie of the Year medal annually.

To be eligible for the award, players must have made fewer than ten appearances in the Super League or National Rugby League prior to the start of the season.