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Surprised Steven Gerrard delighted with award
13.05.09
Liverpool FC captain Steven Gerrard has admitted he was "surprised" to be voted Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers' Association.
The England midfielder beat off competition from Manchester United's Ryan Giggs - the recently crowned PFA Player of the Year - and Wayne Rooney. He is the first Liverpool player since John Barnes in 1990 to claim the honour.
"I'm delighted but I'm a little bit surprised," said the 28-year-old. "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.
"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."
Chairman of the FWA, Steve Bates, who is the chief football writer for The People, 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 is delighted to honour his contribution to club and country."
Gerrard will receive the trophy at an Football Writers' Association gala dinner in London on May 29.
Reader views (3)
An extremely talented and unselfish player and very well deserved. Do not agree with the comments from the Charlie who comes from Crackpot suprise suprise!!
- Lynne, Dartford Kent
Should be renamed The freeloading know nothings society.
- Colin, bexleyheath kent
This illustrates the lack of integrity and intellect of football writers. Presumably, these are the self same hypocritical journalists, pillorying "diver" Drogba just last week, who now think it's right that the serial diving and cheating Liverpool Captain should be their nominated Footballer of the Year. Having said that, these are the same prejudiced people who voted for that petulant Portuguese show pony at Old Trafford last year.
It's a lazy and unintelligent choice every year to crown a player from one of the big Clubs, when there are far more deserving and enlightening options.
The Football Writers' award particularly, along with the now thoroughly discredited PFA gong, used to mean something. Not anymore - where's the ingenuity ?
Can't wait for the acceptance speech (irony) - the man is a charlatan and, by implication, so too are the hacks who voted for him.
- Charlie, Nr. Crackpot, North Yorkshire
