What Was Lost Was Lost" was the winner in the first novel category of the Costa Book Awards. O'Flynn received a £5,000 prize. It was short-listed for the overall Costa Book of the Year Award. The Costa Book Awards' judging panel, chaired by Joanna Trollope, praised the novel for "blending humour and pathos in a cleverly constructed and absorbing mystery." They described the novel as inventive, compelling, and poignant. "What Was Lost" was long-listed for the 2007 Man Booker Prize and the Orange Prize for Fiction. It was short-listed for the Guardian First Book Award. It won the Jelf Group First Novel Award
Jon Newby having played in the last two games, Newby's loan was extended until the end of January, when the situation will be re-assessed. Despite limited first team appearances under the new manager, Roy McFarland has stated that he is pleased with what he has seen of Newby in training and has signed him until the end of the season. Newby won the first senior medal of his career as Burton Albion won the Conference National despite defeat to Torquay United on 26 April 2009. He will be released after the end of the 2008–2009 season, this was confirmed by Davie Irons