Gerrard honoured by Football Writers

[minisoji]

LONDON: Steven Gerrard has been named Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association. The Liverpool captain topped the poll of writers ahead of Manchester united pair Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney.

Gerrard, 28, becomes the first Liverpool player to win the award for 19 years, when John Barnes added the honour to his First Division winners’ medal, the last time the club won the title.

Giggs was recently named the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year, but was pipped to the oldest award – Sir Stanley Matthews was the first winner, in 1948 – by the England midfielder.

Another Manchester United player, Cristiano Ronaldo, was the previous winner, the winger claiming the award in both 2007 and 2008.

Gerrard joins a long list of Liverpool players to win the award, beginning with Ian Callaghan, in 1974, and followed by Kevin Keegan (1976), Emlyn Hughes (1977), Kenny Dalglish (1979, 1983), Terry McDermott (1980), Ian Rush (1984), Barnes (1988 & 1990) and Steve Nicol (1989).

Liverpool’s hopes of stealing the Premier League off Manchester United could be over by the weekend, but Gerrard’s award is deserved for a player who has scored 23 goals from midfield while keeping his club on the coat-tails of the leaders all season. That tally included his first ever hat-trick, in the 5-0 win over Aston Villa in March.

Gerrard also made his 100th appearance in Europen competition for Liverpool, against Real Madrid in March and he marked the occasion with two goals in a 4-0 win. That prompted three-times FIFA World Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane to hail Gerrard, saying "Is he the best in the world? He might not get the attention of Messi and Ronaldo but yes, I think he might be."

Gerrard, who has made 479 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 118 goals, will receive his award at the FWA's gala dinner at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on May 29, on the eve of the FA Cup final.

Steve Bates, chairman of the FWA, 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."

[sanjinm]

Gerrard!!! Best player in the world!