Gerrard named football writers player of the year

[cream]

That's scary enough - he's 29 soon. Not many years left at his current level

Another 5/6 years easy.

[lickedlollipop]

agree with you all.

[Craig_H]

Another 5/6 years easy.

At the same level as he's playing now?? Doubtful mate.

[EwarWoo]

He's at his peak. Unfortunately the only way his down, but that's a few years ahead so let's not think about that now.

In fact let's pretend it will never happen.

Steven Gerrard is in fact immortal and will still be at his peak when I retire from work. Better.

Good to see the writers and fans both know more than the players

[Marky]

Good job.

[-V-]

He's capable of playing like this for another 4 seasons at least (barring a bad injury).

Legend, great news for everyone today to see him finally get rewarded

[pondus]

About ****ing time!

Well deserved, congrats Steve

To think no Liverpool-player have won it since Barnes in 1990...

[Reece]

Steven Gerrard today spoke of his delight at being voted Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers' Association.
The Liverpool captain beat off competition from Manchester United's Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney to land the prestigious honour, becoming the first Reds player since John Barnes in 1990 to scoop the award in the process.

"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' a great privilege to win this kind of award.

"It' 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.

"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.

"But I've had fantastic help along the way from everyone at this football club.

"My family and friends come every time I play and everything I achieve in football they are a very big part of that because they are there for me 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"But the biggest thank yous have to go to the manager, the coaching staff and my team-mates.

"Individual awards are great but you don't win them without great help from those people."

Gerrard revealed a phone call from Liverpool's communications director Ian Cotton informed him of his triumph.

He said: "I got a phone call from Ian and was debating whether or not to take the call because I thought I might have been in the papers for the wrong reasons!

"But when I did take the call and he delivered the good news it was a great feeling for me."

The midfielder will receive the trophy at an Football Writers’ Association gala dinner in London on May 29.

[Reece]

Rafael Benitez believes Steven Gerrard's outstanding displays over the past 12 months make him a deserving recipient of the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award.
The Reds boss was delighted to hear that his skipper had beaten off stiff competition from the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs to become the first Liverpool player to land the gong since John Barnes back in 1990.

"I'm really pleased for Steven," Benitez said. "It is fantastic for him because he was competing with a lot of good players.

"For him to be named player of the year is massive credit to him and shows just how much he has achieved.

"He has scored 23 goals for our team already this season and clearly he has had another fantastic season.

"Everyone at the club is delighted that he has been given this award.

"When Steven was told that he was the winner the first thing he said to me was thanks to the staff and thanks to his team-mates.

"This is a very positive reaction and shows how much Steven is part of a team."

[Reece]

Gerrard revealed a phone call from Liverpool's communications director Ian Cotton informed him of his triumph.

He said: "I got a phone call from Ian and was debating whether or not to take the call because I thought I might have been in the papers for the wrong reasons!

"But when I did take the call and he delivered the good news it was a great feeling for me."

Ha - I bet that was a long call

[Craig_H]

Ha - I bet that was a long call

Stevie: Hello Ian.
Cotton: You've won the Writers' Player of the Year award. Bye.

[Reece]

There are at least 4 unnecessary words in that sentence.

[Craig_H]

"You're the Writers' choice"

Better?

[Ben_Itez]

Well in Stevie. Fully deserved.

Apparently he got 73 votes out of approx 200+, Giggs got 63

Even the football writers, it seems, are prone to over sentimentality. Unbelievable.

[Mike]

Cant believe Giggs got only 10 less than Stevie, the difference between the two this season is massive.