Don Saunders, a lifelong member of the Football Writers Association, died on Tuesday aged 85. Don famously covered both football and boxing for The Daily Telegraph for more than three decades. His funeral will take place on Monday, May 12, 2.30pm at St. Andrews Church, Whitchurch, near Plymouth. Refreshments will be available afterwards at a pub nearby, and all are welcome. Our sincere condolences go to Don’s family and friends.
Author Archives: FWA News Editor
Cristiano Ronaldo – Footballer of the Year 2007-08
Footballer of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo insisted he would not rest on his laurels following his memorable season in 2007/2008.
The Manchester United winger, 23, collected the award voted for by the Football Writers’ Association at a gala dinner in London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel on May 15.
The Portugal international topped the poll of journalists ahead of Liverpool striker Fernando Torres and Portsmouth goalkeeper David
James.
Ronaldo, who also won the prestigiuos FWA accolade last season, netted an outstanding 41 goals during the regular season – including 31 in the Barclays Premier League as United beat Chelsea to the title and would go on to be crowned champions of Europe following a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory in Moscow a week later.
Following a tribute from former Manchester United and England midfielder Bobby Charlton, Ronaldo said: “I am very happy to win this award. It is very important for me to win again, but most important is the collective awards (of the team).
“I am still going to want to win more, to carry on like this, I will not stop because I have these two awards.
“Next season I will try to do my best again.
“I have improved every season and will try to improve next season.
“I am enjoying my football, and want to carry on.”
Former Manchester United captain Bryan Robson has been
impressed by Ronaldo’s development into one of the world’s greatest players since arriving from Sporting Lisbon.
“The great thing for Manchester United is that Cristiano is getting better all the time and has made considerable progress as a player since arriving at the club five years ago,” Robson wrote in his personal tribute to Ronaldo for the FWA.
“When I first saw him play my initial impressions were that he was a great athlete with terrific ability, but that he needed to learn the game in terms of awareness.
“Basically he needed to be more aware of his team-mates. He’s done that now, become more of a team player yet hasn’t had to sacrifice his exciting dribbling ability.”
It is the second season in succession Ronaldo received the accolade, now in its 61st year. Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry was the last man to collect the FWA award twice in a row, from 2003 and 2004.
Chairman of the FWA, Paul Hetherington, commented: “Ronaldo’s award is no surprise after his brilliant form this season and incredible goal-scoring record – 38 at the moment -and he is, of course, essentially a winger.
“Cristiano was an overwhelming winner and, given his age, he has the potential and ability to dominate this award for years in an unprecedented way.”
Another Award For Ronaldo
Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has been voted Footballer of the
Year by the Football Writers’ Association.
The 23-year-old Portugal international – who last week was named the
Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year – topped the poll of
journalists ahead of Liverpool striker Fernando Torres and Portsmouth goalkeeper
David James.
It is the second season in succession Ronaldo has received the accolade, now
in its 61st year. Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry was the last man to
collect the FWA award twice in a row, from 2003 and 2004.
Chairman of the FWA, Paul Hetherington, said: “Ronaldo’s award is no surprise
after his brilliant form this season and incredible goal-scoring record – 38 at
the moment -and he is, of course, essentially a winger.
“Cristiano was an overwhelming winner and, given his age, he has the
potential and ability to dominate this award for years in an unprecedented
way.”
Ronaldo – who has helped take United to within touching distance of the
Barclays Premier League title as well as the Champions League final in Moscow –
will receive his award at the FWA’s gala dinner at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in
London on May 15.
Norman Wynne passes away
Norman Wynne, former Sunday People chief northern football correspondent and an honorary life member of the Football Writers Association, died on Tuesday in North Manchester Hospital. He was 77. Norman was secretary of the northern branch of the FWA for many years before being made an honorary life member of the national association.
His funeral service will be held at the Synagogue, Gigg Lane Cemetery, Bury (near the Bury FC ground), on Thursday at 2.15pm. The family have requested no flowers but donations can be made to Brookvale Home (caring for people with special needs), Simister Lane, Prestwich, Manchester M25 (Tel: 0161 653 1767).
Please note: There is no vehicle access to the cemetery from Gigg Lane. Car drivers need to use St Peter’s Road, off the main Bury-Manchester Road (A56). Coming from Manchester, turn RIGHT into St Peter’s Road at St Peter’s Church , which is directly opposite the Swan and Cemetery pub (about 400 yards before Gigg Lane). The synagogue is a small one-storey red brick building.
Our sincere condolences go to Norman’s wife Jean and the family.
David Beckham Tribute Night
David Beckham brought a touch of Hollywood to London when he was guest of honour at the 2008 Football Writers’ Association Tribute night.
The Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder and former England captain is hoping to reach the landmark of 100 caps for his country, with Fabio Capello now in charge of the side.
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson led the tributes at the gala dinner at the Royal Lancaster Gate Hotel, which was also attended by ex-national team boss Steve McClaren as well as the Football Association’s Brian Barwick and Sir Trevor Brooking.
Beckham, who found fame with Manchester United and Real Madrid before his move to the United States, paid tribute to the figures in football who helped him during his career, including Eriksson.
“For me it was the best time as an England player, a positive time and we played some great football,” said Beckham, whose last-gasp free-kick at Old Trafford sent England to the 2002 World Cup.
“He was a manager that looked after the players, he wasn’t interested in anything else going on.
“That is why he is so well liked by every England player who played under him. He’s a great manager but even more of a great man.”
Beckham signalled his determination to get match fit for Capello’s
first match in charge of England, which is a friendly agianst
Switzerland at Wembley, and has been training with Arsenal during the Major League Soccer close season.
“I’m there to get my fitness for the MLS season and also to try to get fit for the England game,” said Beckham.
“Even if it wasn’t just for the 100th cap, for an England game I’d do the same.
“I want to be fit and be available for Mr Capello’s first team and first game.”
Beckham revealed he had thoroughly enjoyed working with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger in the past week.
“It’s been great. I’m lucky that Arsene Wenger has given me the chance to train with the team,” he added.
“It’s nice to be with a Premier League team that is obviously so talented.
“The players have accepted me really well.”
Former England and Manchester United captain Bryan Robson was another to pay tribute to Beckham at the dinner, recalling the youngster who once polished his boots at Old Trafford.
“He was proud to clean my boots and sometimes that goes away from the game now,” said Robson. “YTS boys now want to be superstars before they start.
“That’s why David has been the player and person he is – he was proud to clean my boots because I was a hero of his when we were younger.”
Footballer of the Year 2007
Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United’s Portuguese star, is the 60th winner of the prestigious Footballer of the Year award. Ronaldo was a convincing winner in a heavy poll, with Chelsea’s Didier Drogba the runner up.
Ronaldo said “I’m thrilled and delighted to have won such a great award”. He was joined in the top four by Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes in third and fourth place respectively.
The dinner where Ronaldo will be presented with his trophy is on May 17th at the Royal Lancaster Hotel London, in front of a sell out 700 audience.
Arsene Wenger Tribute
Arsene Wenger became the latest recipient of the FWA Tribute Award when he was honoured at The Savoy on January 16th.
The Arsenal manager, pictured receiving his award from FWA Chairman Gerry Cox, joined a long line of football legends to have been honoured for their contribution to the game.
Wenger’s side went a whole season unbeaten in the Barclaycard Premiership during 2003/04, the first side to do so since Preston’s Invincibles in the 19th Century.
Wenger was also recognised for ushering in an era of unparalleled success at Highbury, winning the League and Cup double twice among a total of three Premiership titles and three FA Cups.
A packed house of over 400 guests including former winners Sir Bobby Robson, Sir Geoff Hurst, Gary Lineker, Pat Jennings and Sir Trevor Brooking, heard how Wenger had transformed Arsenal. His fellow Frenchman Gerard Houllier, raising a toast to the FWA, also spoke about how they had both been entranced by English football from the moment they walked into Anfield as young coaches.
And Gerry Cox added that Wenger had helped changed management in England, introducing a scientific approach and more methodical preparation. Wenger spoke of the pressures of management and asked “Who motivates the motivators?” before thanking the FWA for their tribute.
Hat-trick Henry The Greatest
THIERRY HENRY is the greatest player in the history of English football awards after being voted Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association for the third time in four years.
The Arsenal and France striker was confirmed a clear winner ahead of runner-up John Terry of Chelsea and Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, who finished third. Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard, the PFAs Player of the Year, finished fourth ahead of Joe Cole and last year’s winner Frank Lampard.
Henry was voted Footballer of the Year in 2003 and 2004, the first ever back-to-back winner, and the first overseas player to win the award twice. Now he has gone one better after shooting Arsenal into the Champions League final.
Paul Hetherington, Chairman of the FWA, said: “Henry is a deserving winner in a season when there have been several outstanding candidates, such as Terry, Rooney and Gerrard.
“Henry’s achievement ranks him up there as the greatest player in the 59-year history of the award.”
A delighted Henry said: “As I always say in football it is all about the team and without my team-mates I would not have won this award.
“What I am especially proud of, though, is that I am the first person to win the Footballer of the Year trophy three times.
“It’s always pleasing to be the first to achieve something – it’s a little piece of history.
“My hope now is that the team goes on to create history of their own by becoming the first ever Arsenal side to win the win the Champions League.
“I would like to thank all of the Football Writers’ Association members who voted for me. It’s a wonderful honour and I feel very privileged.”
Frank Lampard Sweeps to Footballer of the Year Award
FRANK LAMPARD has beaten off the challenge of his Chelsea team-mate John Terry to win the Football Writers’ Association vote as Footballer of the Year.
The Chelsea and England midfielder becomes only the second Englishman since Alan Shearer in 1994 to win football’s oldest and most prestigious individual award – Teddy Sheringham was the other in 2001.
Lampard and Terry polled more than 90 per cent of the votes, with Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher finishing a distant third.
Gerry Cox, Chairman of the FWA, said: “It was a close-run thing between the two Chelsea team-mates until a fortnight ago, but Frank Lampard ended up winning by a substantial margin.
“John Terry has been a huge player for Chelsea in what has been a fantastic season for the Blues, but Lampard has clearly convinced our members that he is the best player in the country and right up there with the world’s leading players.
“His all-round game is superb, his fitness phenomenal and the fact that he has weighed in with 19 goals this season makes him something special for any team.”
Lampard was runner-up to Thierry Henry in last year’s Footballer of the year award, as well as coming second for two years running in the PFA’s Player of the Year, which was won by Terry last month.
He becomes only the second Chelsea player to win Footballer of the Year, after Gianfranco Zola in 1997.
Henry is Footballer of the Year
THIERRY HENRY collected his Footballer of the Year trophy at the FWA’s annual award dinner at the Royal Lancaster Hotel on May 15th.
The Arsenal striker became the 53rd player to receive the game’s oldest and most prestigious individual award and praised the FWA for their good judgement when he was presented with the trophy by FWA Chairman Gerry Cox.
“It’s a great honour. I have been so happy here in England, and the English game has given me something extra” he said.
Arsenal’s vice-chairman David Dein proposed a toast to the FWA and paid tribute to Henry, the player who was responsible for around half of his side’s goals last season.
“This award is a tremendous accolade,” he said. “Thierry scored 24 goals and contributed to 20 others of the 85 we scored this season.
“He is a tremendous asset to Arsenal and France. I have been going to Arsenal for 50 years and I genuinely believe he is the most amazing talent I have ever seen. He can do things on the pitch other players can only dream of.”
Gerry Cox paid his own tribute to Henry and introduced a memorable video of Henry’s finest moments compiled by Sky Sports, who sponsored the evening along with Barclaycard, the FWA’s title sponsors and leading supporters.
It was another highly successful evening in front of a sell-out crowd of around 700 football writers, players, managers and officials.
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