Source: Daily_Mail
Football Writers award most deserving winners
It was Charles Buchan, editor of the famed Football Monthly magazine and founding father of the Football Writers' Association, who first suggested giving an individual award for the game.[LNB]He set out the criteria, suggesting it should go 'to the professional player who by precept and example is considered to be the Footballer of the Year'. [LNB]Now in its 64th year, West Ham's Scott Parker has become the latest winner of what is regarded as the original and most coveted of all domestic individual honours. [LNB]Steve Curry has been a member of the FWA for the past 47 years and here he selects his most deserving winners.[LNB] SIR STANLEY MATTHEWS (1948 & 1963) To win the award twice with 15 years in between was a remarkable feat in itself for the player named 'wizard of the dribble'. Matthews was 33 when he became the first-ever winner of the award and had just completed his first season with Blackpool. His second was a tribute to his longevity. He was 48 and still playing for Stoke City.[LNB] Longevity: Sir Stanley Matthews won the award for a second time aged 48[LNB]DANNY BLANCHFLOWER (1958 & 1961) Another two-time winner, Tottenham's Blanchflower was the outstanding captain of his generation, manager Bill Nicholson's 'brains' on the pitch and the inspiration of their Double year in 1961. He was a forthright Northern Irishman who often clashed with the intransigent Nicholson but was an unbeatable reader of the game.[LNB] Victorious: Tottenham's Danny Blanchflower holds the FA Cup aloft after winning the 1961 final[LNB]BOBBY MOORE (1964) It is surprising that Moore won only once, since he epitomised Buchan's criteria for the winner. The honour went to him in 1964, the year that West Ham defeated Preston 3-2 in the FA Cup Final. At the time he was the youngest winner at the age of 23 and it was a shock in 1967, a year after lifting the World Cup at Wembley, when the trophy went to Leeds' Jack Charlton and not to 'Mooro'.[LNB] Young gun: Bobby Moore was the youngest winner of the award in 1964[LNB]PAT JENNINGS (1973) Only four goalkeepers have ever finished top, Bert Trautmann (1956), Gordon Banks (1972) and Neville Southall (1985) the others, but I have selected Jennings because he was the consummate professional, a quiet and unassuming man but a role model for young keepers. That year he was outstanding at Tottenham in what was not a vintage Spurs side. One of the more popular winners with FWA members.[LNB] Top stopper: Pat Jennings (grounded) in action[LNB]FRANS THIJSSEN (1981) Thijssen enters the list as the first non-British outfield player to win it. And it would be another 14 years before the next foreign player, Jurgen Klinsmann of Tottenham, lifted it in 1995 at the start of a five-year burst of Europeans Eric Cantona (1996), Gianfranco Zola (1997), Dennis Bergkamp (1998) and David Ginola (1999). The cultured Thijssen brought Dutch skill to Ipswich's midfield, partnering his countryman Arnold Muhren. He was the outstanding midfielder as Bobby Robson's side captured the UEFA Cup that season.[LNB] Up against it: Ipswich Town's Frans Thijssen takes on the Notts County defence[LNB]THIERRY HENRY (2003, 2004 & 2006) The only triple winner and without doubt the Premier League's outstanding player of the early 21st century. The Arsenal skipper was a popular choice among both media and supporters for his stylish strike play and his outstanding goalscoring. The humility of his acceptance speeches was the mark of a man who brought great talent to the British game.[LNB] Mine's a treble! Thierry Henry is Arsenal's record goalscorer[LNB]FRANK LAMPARD (2005)Split the years between Henry's run and there is no argument the Chelsea and England midfielder was at his peak, playing all 38 League games as the Blues won their first title in 50 years. Only the second Chelsea player (after Zola) to win the trophy, he will be remembered as the man who gave the finest and most moving of all the acceptance speeches I have witnessed. He was perhaps the proudest winner.[LNB] Midfield maestro: Frank Lampard (right) has been inspirational for Chelsea[LNB] West Ham's talismanic midfielder Scott Parker voted player of the year by the Football Writers AssociationThe PFA gave it to Bale, but as voters go to the polls, who IS football's No 1?Brilliant Bale wins PFA player of the year as Wilshere scoops young player awardBale and Wilshere feature in PFA Premier League Team of the Year[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Danny Blanchflower, Jack Charlton, Frank Lampard, Thierry Henry, Gianfranco Zola, Bobby Moore, Neville Southall, David Ginola, Bobby Robson Places: Leeds, United Kingdom
