Is Right!
After missing out, ridiculously, on the PFA Player of the Year trophy to Ryan Giggs, the Liverpool captain has beaten off competition from the Welshman and Wayne Rooney to land the most prestigious of the player trophies.
He can add this to his PFA Fans Player of the Year award picked up last week. Despite suffering with injuries the reds captain has helped ease the disastrous form of Robbie Keane, and the large absences of Fernando Torres, by scoring 23 goals this season so far. Another goal in his last two games would give him his record goal tally in a Liverpool season.
Steve Bates, the chairman of the Football Writers Association said:
“We are delighted to honour Steven’s contribution this season with our prestigous award.
“Steven has had a fantastic season and has so often been the driving force behind Liverpool’s forceful challenge for the Barclays Premier League title.
“His passion and desire to send the title race into the closing days of this campaign has underpinned Liverpool’s pursuit of Manchester United and he has frequently caught the eye with outstanding performances which have showcased his considerable talent.
“Steven is viewed by the Football Writers who voted as the heartbeat of Liverpool’s team and a player who gives everything for the cause.
“He beat off a strong challenge from Old Trafford stars Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand to emerge as a clear winner and he follows a long and illustrious list of British and European footballers to win the vote of the Football Writers.”
It is the 11th time a Liverpool player has won the award, but it is Liverpool’s first since 1990 when John Barnes was the recipient.
Congratulations Stevie. The ceremony will be held on the 29th May at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.
Previous Liverpool Footballers of the Year
1974 Ian Callaghan
1976 Kevin Keegan
1977 Emlyn Hughes
1979 Kenny Dalglish
1980 Terry McDermott
1983 Kenny Dalglish
1984 Ian Rush
1988 John Barnes
1989 Steve Nicol
1990 John Barnes
2009 Steven Gerrard
Well done Stevie, the FACT that you did not win PFA shows me that it will never mean anything to me.And winning this award i hope makes it a bit sweeter and no matter what you can always take this with you,that every single LFC fan thinks you are a LEGEND.And i am sure fans of every other team thinks so as well deep down,so well done and lets hope we can take it to 19 or 6
Fantastic stuff. After the debacle of the PFA Player Award this is rightly deserved. I can’t believe he hasn’t won it sooner but all things come to those who wait.
Fully deserved.