Source: Daily_Mail
Scott Parker 'humbled' at Player of the Year award
ShareStellar season: Scott Parker with his award[LNB]Scott Parker admitted he was 'humbled' to receive the 2011 Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year Award but insists his only focus is on helping West Ham retain their Barclays Premier League status. [LNB]In what was one of the closest contests of recent seasons, Parker topped the poll of journalists ahead of Tottenham winger Gareth Bale, who recently picked up the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year award. [LNB]Parker becomes only the second Hammers player to collect the award since its inception in 1948 and admitted he was shocked to be honoured. [LNB]Unlike recent winners, the midfielder's side are in a relegation dogfight rather than competing for honours in the upper echelons of the top flight.[LNB] And despite signing a new five-year contract in September 2010, Parker's future is unclear after West Ham co-owner David Gold revealed last week he would let the club's England internationals leave if they are relegated. [LNB]Avram Grant's men lie four points adrift of safety with just two matches left, but Parker remains positive and stresses he is fully focused on helping the Hammers secure Premier League survival. [LNB]'You know obviously at this moment in time I am in a position that West Ham as a football club could still stay in the Premier League,' he said. 'It might sound like I am trying to sound correct sitting here but that is honestly how I feel. [LNB]'At the moment we can stay up. Obviously we are relying on a lot of other points and I think if you ask me that question in two weeks time it will all be a lot clearer. [LNB]'As I have said before, effectively when a team gets relegated - which is a possibility for us - things get changed. "Not just the playing staff, everything changes at a football club.'[LNB] Shining light: Parker won the gong despite his West Ham side being deep in relegation trouble [LNB] The England international - who started his career at Charlton before having spells with Chelsea and Newcastle ahead of joining the Irons in 2007 - received the prestigious accolade at a gala dinner at the Lancaster London Hotel.[LNB]Asked whether he was surprised to have won the award, he said: 'I suppose I thought "how can that happen?" I am Scott Parker, West Ham are in a relegation battle and I am winning the award." [LNB] Pipped to the post: Spurs winger Gareth Bale came a close second in the voting [LNB]'I soon got told the last West Ham player to win the award was Bobby Moore and it was very humbling for me. And I got told by a good friend of mine that when I got there on the night, I would realise what an award it is. [LNB]'He was true to his word. I am very humbled and I can't believe I won it.'[LNB]And Parker's manager Grant believes the award sends an important message to the footballing world and believes Parker is a worthy winner.[LNB]'I am very pleased that the members of the FFWA have chosen to honour Scott Parker,' he said. 'Not just because I think he deserves it, but because it send a very important message.[LNB]'People assume players in teams at the top of the league are all winners. It is not true. When you are surrounded by quality and confidence is high, it is easier to reach a good level of performance. You only see the true character of a person in times of difficulty.[LNB]'Scott's mentality is perfect. But we should not forget that he is an excellent footballer. He is a modern midfielder. He defends, he makes a block, he wins the ball.[LNB]'He is determined, his movement is excellent and he scores important goals inside and outside the box. I am glad that his quality has been recognised by Fabio Capello, as well as by the football writers.[LNB] Parker stunned by Hammers plight as Player of the Year ponders his futureCapello's goalkeeping crisis: Now Green wants to call time on EnglandLeo's London: Would the real Neil Warnock please stand up?All the latest West Ham United FC news, features and opinion[LNB]
