Gerrard lands yearly award

Reds skipper named Footballer of the Year

Last updated: 13th May 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Gerrard lands yearly award

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Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been voted the 2009 Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers' Association.

The 28-year-old England international topped the poll of journalists ahead of Manchester United duo Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney to win the prestigious accolade, which has been running since 1948.

Gerrard, who has led the Reds' challenge to United for the Premier League title, will receive his award at the FWA's gala dinner at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on 29th May.

"I'm delighted but I'm a little bit surprised," said Gerrard. "When you look at the quality of the players there are in this league, it's a great privilege to win this kind of award.

Surprise

"It's not just the Manchester United players. When you look at the players the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal and other teams have got, they all have fantastic players throughout their squads now.

"The quality is getting better and better each year so to win this award is a great achievement for myself.

"It's made even more special for me because I am following in the footsteps of Liverpool players like John Barnes, Steve Nicol and Kenny Dalglish who were heroes of mine.

"Then further back players like Ian Callaghan and Terry McDermott who were heroes to my dad and so many other Liverpool fans."

Reds manager Rafa Benitez told the club's official website: "I'm really pleased for Steven.

"It is fantastic for him because he was competing with a lot of good players.

Quality

"For him to be named player of the year is massive credit to him and shows just how much he has achieved."

Chairman of the FWA Steve Bates said: "Steven's performances this season have been of the highest quality.

"His drive and desire have underpinned Liverpool's Premier League title challenge and ensured a tight finish to the season.

"Steven is clearly in his prime and quite rightly rated one of the finest midfield players of his generation, and the FWA are delighted to honour his contribution to club and country."

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Comments (80)

David O leary (Manchester United fan) says...

I congratulate Steven Gerard on this award, i admire him for a number of reasons, the biggest one being that he is humble, he is not bitter about any other clubs, he gives credit where credit is due, and i think he deserves credit himself. Well done steven, although i hope liverpool never win anything but credit goes to steven gerard.

Posted 15:47 15th May 2009

Deborah Johnson (Manchester United fan) says...

Is this debate about congratulating Gerrard or having a go at Manchester United, Most of the comments mention Man United or a member of the team, even Gerrard can't his his BIT of glory without some bitter fans having a go .

Posted 15:42 14th May 2009

Richard Whitty (Newcastle United fan) says...

I am personally loving the recipients of the Premiership awards this season. Giggs and Gerrard are both true stars on the pitch. Its been a privledge growing up and watching these two men ply their trade. In my mind these two men embody everything that is good in football... Good on ya!!!

Posted 15:26 14th May 2009

John Murray (Liverpool fan) says...

No better role model or professional in the game than Stevie G, absolute quality man & footballer, very very few better players in the world, in terms of all round ability i'd say there are none better at all, this award is thoroughly deserved, i'm over the moon for him as i thought he deserved the players award too, however though i will say for his overall contribution to the game for many years Ryan Giggs deserved recognition from his fellow professionals at this late stage in his career, well done Stevie G, we're all very proud of you.

Posted 15:09 14th May 2009

James Taylor (Liverpool fan) says...

April Jones whilst I agree with you that Stevie G has been an excellent player both this season and for all his time at Anfield. He is still rather fond of taking a dive. There is a popular misconception that only foreign players such as Ronaldo and Drogba dive. In truth the likes of Rooney, Owen, Beckham, Lampard and even super Stevie G all are quick to take a tumble as well. Still it's been a great season for Gerrard but personaly my vote would have been for Xabi Alonso. Please Rafa keep Xabi and don't sign overrated Barry.

Posted 15:00 14th May 2009

Jimi Oyenekan (Arsenal fan) says...

Its absoltely brilliant what the man has done for his club this season, securing points and scoring more than his fair share of goals. Its almost impossible to find a player of his calliber that also carries his club on his shoulders and represents it positively off the pitch. No question he deserved it and I'm well pleased he got it. Cheers.

Posted 14:30 14th May 2009

Harry Smith (Manchester United fan) says...

Gerrard is a very, very good player, but winning this award is perhaps not justified, especially when you see the contribution of Vidic to the Man United team. Vidic has been the best defender in the world over the past 2/3 seasons, Gerrard has had an amazing season for liverpool no doubt about it, but Vidic has by far been the best player in the premiership, without him at the centre of Man United's defence we could well have been in second place right now, Vidic has had only one bad game this season, and that was against liverpool, its alot harder for defenders to be noticed, therefore, Vidic has been FAR better than anyone else in the premiership this year! Gerrard hasn't scored in every game, he has not played his best in every game, he has had a number of games where he has been kept quiet and handled by the opositions midfield and defence, whereas Vidic has done nothing but control that defence, Gerrard is good, but this season Vidic has been on a completely different level. Gerrard only won it because he is english and the awards panel wanted an englishman to win the award

Posted 14:29 14th May 2009

Mohammed Idris (Liverpool fan) says...

In response to Mohammed Bilal Ali's comment " Reputation rather than form is the evantual winner today." Are you telling me Giggs deserved HIS award? I'm a big fan of Giggsy, but he did not deserve the Players Player of the year award..Gerrard has been one of the Best players this season, and deserves his award. However, Vidic has been outstanding this season..

Posted 14:16 14th May 2009

Seb Frank says...

Overall Gerrard is the best midfielder in the League. But I think the award should really deep down go to Vidic absolutely incredible defender. Hes by far the best defender in the country along with Rio Ferdinand they are the reason why United have gone without conceding a goal in 1311 minutes of football. I do not think Gerrard deserves this award because lets face it he has been injured on and off and Vidic hasnt I think the award people have bottled this award completely by giving Gerrard the award. When people say hes the best player in the world actually makes me laugh there are actually 2 players in front of Gerrard that are better than him Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. In my opinion Gerrard hasnt really gelled in the England team you hardly ever see him play well for England there are only some matches where he puts hes 100% effort into being a world class player but against weak opposition hes absolutely diabolical. The only reason why Gerrard plays well for Liverpool is because hes got Torres in front in attack and Mascherano, Alonso, Lucas, Kuyt etc thats the only reason why Liverpool have managed to challenge United to some distance in the league. If Liverpool buy Negredo the Almeria striker in the summer and also David Silva the Valencia midfield player they will absolutely be phenomenal, but I do think United will still win the league even next season as well even with or without Tevez. But I do not agree to Rafas policy of going to Spain and buying Spanish players, thats the only reason why Spain are the worlds best team at the minute because of Spanish talent playing in the likes of the Premier League etc. I really do consider the FA etc does something about foreign import to the English League because there are far too many foreigners playing in the english league.

Posted 13:08 14th May 2009

Dipo Denloye (Newcastle United fan) says...

Gerrard is a quality player no doubt but he is overrated in his position. When everyonethinks of gerrards goals they compare him to other top midfielder's who have actual defensive responsibilities i.e carrick, alonso, essien but in actual fact he plays as a support striker and should be judged as such. When you compare his skill level against the worlds best support strikers i.e messi, rooney, kaka etc he doesn't seem so great does he??

Posted 11:26 14th May 2009

Paul Dickinson (Liverpool fan) says...

stevie is a well deserved recipient of this award, he is without doubt the best midfeilder in the world to day and in fact for the last few seasons. his dedication to liverpool and his fans is without question,yes he may have been tempted a while back, but come on, who would'nt be tempted by the big bucks ? but he stood firm and did the right thing and in return, good things come from doing the right thing. good on you steve, you earned that accolade, be proud of your achievments.

Posted 10:21 14th May 2009

Hasan Sen (Liverpool fan) says...

Stevie 'G' certainly deserved the award this year, best player in the Prem by a distance. i love watching him play.he is a great player.

Posted 09:47 14th May 2009

Martin Kelly (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

I am shocked an disappointed with some of the comments that have been posted here. How can some of you so called "football" fans disagree with Gerrard winning this award?!? I think some of you people do not know a thing about this sport. Steven Gerrad has played fantastic this seanson, no-one in the premier league has come close to performing the way he has and if you consider he also had a little bit of "trouble" to deal with in his head that makes the fact he has played so well even better. I do not condone his alleged actions but obviously something like that would hang over you like a dark cloud but this guy has taken it all in his stride. Hats off Stevie, you are the gretest mid-fielder in the world and deserve all the praise you get!

Posted 09:02 14th May 2009

Samson Gonzales (Hearts fan) says...

Am I the only person in the world to disagree with this decision? I think Gerrard is one of the top, if not the best midfielders in the world, but last season and the penultimate season he was far better. He's came back to form recently, but has everyone forgotten his poor first half to the season? A player of the year has to be consistently good for that whole year, not just around award time. The truth is that there haven't been any standout players this season - hence a 35 year old Giggs win an award (Amazing for his age and doing a great job, but is he really setting the world alight?). Torres has been consistently brilliant but of course was injured too much to be considered. How about Rooney? Can anyone honestly say he's had a single poor game this season? I think overall, though, I'd have to give it to Ferdinand or Vidic after they helped United to an incredible clean sheet record.......either them or Titus Bramble. Anyone? No?

Posted 08:48 14th May 2009

Edwin Bem (Liverpool fan) says...

Absolutely true, Stevie G has been the best player in the premiership. He gives all that is required for the team from day one of the season to the last one. Leader by example. He is devoted.

Posted 07:26 14th May 2009

Aziiz Abdullahi (Liverpool fan) says...

I think that Gerrard deserves to win the player of the year as his performances in the league have been astonishing! He has proved time and time again that he is Liverpool's rescuer and without him, we would be nowhere! I think we need to buy players this year go liverpool

Posted 07:03 14th May 2009

Gurpreet Dhadda (Liverpool fan) says...

This guy has been immense all season round. I cant remember a single game that he has not been up to par. He admitted at the beginning of the season he wasn't fit yet he put in some really good performances, most notably against Middlesbro. And in the return fixture they lost but he still created good goal scoring chances, but there wasn't another Steven Gerrard at the end of those passes! I couldn't care less if he scored the amount of goals hes got this season, i just love his passing ability and vision, he reads the game really well and thats what i believe makes him stand out from the rest. Pure Class. Well done Stevie G.

Posted 04:56 14th May 2009

Michael Lake (Liverpool fan) says...

The correct choice. He is not just a great footballer, he is a perfect role-model for young players out there. And on the vidic front, maybe if he hadn't of received the 3 red cards this season he would be in for more of a shout. Gerrard wins matches on his own, and Vidic saves matches along with ferdinand and Van der Sar. Defenders should never win awards!!!!

Posted 01:07 14th May 2009

Muttaqin Othman (Manchester United fan) says...

Stevie is a great player in midfield, and the voters have decided it his time. No problems, as he is as good as any player I have seen this season. But the way Giggs was pilloried over his award earlier still leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Giggs is still powering United's midfield and will be a force come the end of this season. He is breaking all sorts of records and will be registering his tenth Champion's medal, and may also help MU defend their European crown. Yet Liverpool fans were doubting his quality and questioning the vote his fellow players saw fit to give him!

Posted 23:54 13th May 2009

Matt Vickers (Crewe Alexandra fan) says...

Fantastic news that Stevie has won this award, he is the best footballer in the PL. I am fed up with those fans who support other clubs having a go at him simply because he doesn't play for their club. Wise up, he is and has been superb. As for the people who have said it is disgusting that he has won this or that he does not play for a big club stop being so pathetic and celebrate a great footballer - whoever he plays for. PS - Rooney would get my vote for runner up

Posted 23:28 13th May 2009

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