Author Archives: FWA News Editor

FOOTBALL BOOKS OF THE YEAR – THE FINAL SIX

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Each year the Football Writers’ Association selects the winner of the football category in the British Sports Book Awards. This year’s award – for 2012 – will be revealed at a dinner at Lord’s on Tuesday, May 21. Glenn Moore, chairman of the FWA’s books sub-committee, runs through the short-list (in alphabetical order).

Barca: The Making of the Greatest Team in the World by Graham Hunter (Back Page Press, £9.99)
An illuminating, comprehensive, behind-the-scenes account of the creation of the all-conquering team. The management, the players, and key matches along the way are each studied and placed into context.

Be Careful What You Wish For by Simon Jordan (Random House, £18.99)
This could be sub-titled ‘how to make a fortune in business and lose it in football’ and sent to every prospective club owner. Jordan, as ever, pulls no punches as he describes how he built up his mobile telephone company, then plunged  into the more complicated world of football as Crystal Palace owner-chairman.

Does Your Rabbi Know You’re Here? The Story of English Football’s Forgotten Tribe by Anthony Clavane (Quercus, £17.99)
Jewish children were once discouraged from becoming involved in football, more by their own community as by attitudes within the game. Plenty took no notice however and British Jewry has made a significant contribution to football in England, as Clavane uncovers.

Pep Guardiola: Another Way of Winning by Guillem Balague (Orion, £20)
Richly detailed access-all-areas breakdown of how Guardiola came to take over Barcelona, develop the best team in the world, then walk away from it. The man and his methods are fully explored.

Richer Than God: Manchester City, Modern Football and Growing Up by David Conn (Quercus, £16.99)
Part coming-of-age memoir, part dissection of the economics realities of the modern game, all told through the prism of Manchester City’s transformation from badly-run but much-loved laughing stock to the world’s richest club.

The Outsider: A History of the Goalkeeper by Jonathan Wilson (Orion, £20)
Thoroughly researched account of the singular man between the sticks, from the time when he could run with the ball to the halfway line, to sweeper-keepers and the modern giants. Told via analysis of keepers such as Lev Yashin and Peter Shilton, Fatty Foulke and Rene Higueta.

FWA Interview: Geoff Shreeves

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‘My job is to ask questions – nobody is interested in my opinions’ – Geoff Shreeves

By CHRISTOPHER DAVIES

SIR ALEX FERGUSON may not have allowed Geoff Shreeves the last word on his final game at Old Trafford, but the Sky Sports interviewer always has the first word.

A familiar face of the station, Shreeves has been with Sky Sports since 1992, the first season of the Premier League. It can be a thankless task, a no-win job. Ask soft questions and you are accused of avoiding the main issue, ask about a manager’s future and it’s insensitive. Criticised for telling Branislav Ivanovic he was suspended for the 2012 Champions League final, it was hardly Shreeves’ fault the Chelsea defender was unaware of his number of yellow cards.

Shreeves would not have survived 21 years at Sky Sports without being very good at what he does and would-be football journalists and especially players moving into the media world could learn a lot from his interviewing technique and attitude. Some presenters, especially ex-professionals, offer their views and ask: “Do you agree?” Shreeves is old school and does not indulge viewers with his own thoughts. He said: “With all due respect, what do I know? I was schooled well in journalism by people I worked for in that my opinion is of no interest to anybody. I genuinely believe that. It’s my job to ask questions. I enjoyed being on the FWA Live panel and mixing it with an audience, but you will never hear my opinions on matters of football, skill or tactics [on television].”

Football writers appear regularly on television and radio yet none has made the move that Guillem Balague, featured regularly on Sky Sports’ La Liga coverage and the excellent Revista De La Liga show, has managed. Shreeves said: “We are in an interesting period in the media where the job is merging into one. We have Guillem Balague, I love his writing and he is so knowledgeable that he is an accepted pundit on Spanish TV stations. That would never happen in this country [with domestic football] which I find interesting.”

A trap some interviewers fall into is to stick too rigidly to their pre-prepared list of questions when in fact the best questions invariably follow on from an answer. And never make questions longer than the answer. Shreeves said: “If you talk to budding football writers and ask them the most important thing about a question they usually say ‘it should be clear and concise’ or ‘angled towards the person.’ No. It’s in the answer.

“My question could be: ‘So, Sir Alex, you have won Manchester United’s 20th title and seen off the financial challenge of Manchester City and Chelsea…could you encapsulate the importance of this victory and its wider meaning for football and the social world of this country?’ Or I could ask: ‘What does this mean?’”

When your job is also your hobby it can be difficult to switch off and Shreeves said: “Like everyone in our game, I do masses of research and in fact you are effectively researching every time you go to a game…you see someone, meet somebody…the football media is always working. We joke that we are awake 24/7 and sleep with one eye open, such is the pace of the media now.”

Shreeves has built up a close relationship with the leading managers and players in the Barclays Premier League, yet any friendship does not prevent him from asking a question about a red card or a manager’s future. “It doesn’t bother me remotely. There are times when someone who is a good friend is on the end of a question that is not going to do him or his employment any favours. However, I enjoy the challenge of phrasing those questions correctly.

“You have to look at what makes a good interview. The relationship is key. If there is mutual respect they will accept you have to ask certain questions or take a certain line and not hide behind ‘oh my producer told me to ask this.’

“They know you have a job to do, but you have to be respectful and don’t go hunting headlines. In the final reckoning, when a team, is relegated no one cares whether it’s Geoff Shreeves or whoever asking the questions, nor should they be. They are interested in the answers.”

Shreeves has no ambition to leave the after-match interview area and move inside to present a football chat show or a live broadcast. “It’s a different skill, one that I don’t have. I wouldn’t want to do it because I get a real buzz from talking to people as I do. I love nothing more than interviewing people, listening to them, asking them questions…”

Waving the FWA magic wand, if Shreeves could interview any football personality for 30 minutes with no editorial control…no question off-limits, every question answered, no public relations person ready to quash any controversy… who would it be?

“If they agreed to answer any question openly and honestly it would have to be Sir Alex, the most successful manager we’ve ever seen and the most important figure in my lifetime.”

CUNEYT MAY HAVE HIS CAKIR AND EAT IT AT WEMBLEY

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By Christopher Davies

CUNEYT Cakir, the Turkish referee who sent-off Nani in Manchester United’s Champions League quarter-final tie against Real Madrid at Old Trafford, has emerged as favourite to take charge of the all-German final at Wembley between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

Cakir showed Nani the red card for a challenge on Alvaro Arbeloa in the 56th minute when United were winning 2-1 on aggregate. Two goals in 13 minutes saw Real advance to the semi-finals, Sir Alex Ferguson blaming United’s defeat on Cakir. Ferguson was so incensed he refused to attend a post-match press conference, incurring an £8,500 fine from UEFA.

The decision to dismiss Nani was widely criticised, but crucially the Turk was supported by Pierluigi Collina, the match officials’ assessor at Old Trafford and an influential voice on UEFA’s Referees Committee. Collina gave Cakir a mark of 8.2 for his display at Old Trafford, the Italian’s only criticism of the referee was that he should have also shown Rio Ferdinand the red card for appearing to sarcastically applaud him inches from his face as they left the pitch.

Cakir, 36, is highly rated by FIFA, too, as world football’s governing body appointed him to handle the potentially explosive 2014 World Cup qualifying tie between Croatia and Serbia in March which passed off without any controversial incident. He also refereed the 2012 Club World Cup final between Chelsea and Corinthians, which the Brazilians won 1-0. In the last minute Cakir sent-off Gary Cahill for a challenge on Emerson.

Also among Cakir’s red card list are Steven Gerrard during England versus Ukraine last September when he also handed out nine yellow cards, Republic of Ireland midfielder Keith Andrews against Italy at Euro 2012, Chelsea’s John Terry against Barcelona in April 2012 and Mario Balotelli in Manchester City’s Europa League tie against Dynamo Kiev in March 2011.

But his no-nonsense approach has won him admirers at UEFA and he is set to return to England for the Champions League final at Wembley on May 25.

*THIS has been on Planet Twitter, but if you have missed it…it is an incredible choice of photograph for Johnny Giles’ Wikipedia page.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Giles

FWA Q&A: DEAN JONES

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DEAN JONES of the Sunday People on an illegal approach by Dominos…the scoop he didn’t believe…and Spurs’ best signing since Gareth Bale

Your first ever newspaper?

The Sportsman, a sports news and betting paper that hit the streets in 2006. It sounded like a good idea … until it was launched. I jumped ship before everyone was made redundant, which was about six months after the first edition.

Have you ever worked in a profession other than journalism?

Pizza delivery boy. I started with Tops Pizza … but left after being tapped up by Dominos. The drop money was better, and I took home a Pepperoni Passion at the end of every shift.

What was your finest achievement playing football?

Played for Wimbledon and then Fulham as a teenager, and made a few outings in the Ryman League for the mighty Leatherhead … before hanging up my boots at the grand old age of 20.

Most memorable match covered?

My first one. I was only 16, but Gerry Cox of Hayters gave me the nod to cover an FA Cup match between Basingstoke and Bournemouth. My grandad had to take me to the game and pick me up afterwards. Mark Stein scored the winner after the keeper smashed a clearance against him.

The one moment in football you would put on a DVD?

Dave Kidd’s left footed strike in 5-a-side last year. ‘Swing and hope’ I think they call it. But the ball flew into the top corner, and Kiddo has not stopped talking about it since.

Best stadium?

Craven Cottage. An old-fashioned feel, for all the right reasons.

…and the worst?

Kenilworth Road. An old-fashioned feel, for all the wrong reasons.

Your best ever scoop?

Gerard Houllier to become Aston Villa boss. It seemed so unlikely, even I wasn’t convinced when I pressed send.

Your personal new-tech disaster?

Covered a game at Old Trafford – and realised when I got back to London that my laptop was still on the desk in the Press room. I still owe Steve Bates a pint for collecting it, actually [Steve said that with interest it’s now a barrel – Ed].

Biggest mistake?

Playing rugby. I’m not very well built for the sport, but just presumed I’d be able to run past everyone. It worked for about half hour, but then some huge kid tackled me, I went flying through the air and broke my arm. Never played again.

Have you ever been mistaken for anyone else?

A few people congratulated me when Dan Jones started writing a column in the Evening Standard.

Most media friendly manager?

Chris Coleman. When I started to report full-time Cookie was in charge of Fulham, and really helped me out at times. He came out with some great lines in interviews too. His presser when he stated Louis Saha would be leaving ‘over my dead body’ was a classic.

Best ever player?

Eric Cantona.

Best ever teams (club and international)?

Club… Manchester United 1999
International… France 2000.

Best pre-match grub?

Tottenham have raised their game this season with new caterers. Best signing since Gareth Bale.

Best meal had on your travels?

California Pizza Kitchen, LA. Not a big food lover so decent pizza always does the job.

…and the worst?

I did manage to find bad pizza once. It was in Bangkok.

Best hotel stayed in?

Vidago Palace in Portugal.

…and the worst?

I can’t remember what it was called but on my first ever foreign trip I was sent to Paris for Hayters to get an interview with Patrick Vieira. I stayed in a smelly, run down place near Gare du Nord, and it can not have cost more than 30 quid for the night. The walls were annoyingly thin, the bed sheets had holes in, and the fire alarm batteries needed changing so it beeped all night.

Favourite football writer?

Don’t have one, but I like story-getters. Neil Ashton, Neil Moxley and John Cross are very good.

Favourite radio/TV commentator?

Would have to be BBC Radio 5 Live’s Mike Ingham.

If you could introduce one change to improve PR between football clubs and football writers what would it be?

Access is getting worse and worse, so all I would ask is to let us speak to the players more often. How can we report properly on the game otherwise?

One sporting event outside football you would love to experience?

NBA Playoffs

Last book read?

A Long Way Down. It’s a novel by Nick Hornby, not a non-fiction title detailing the next four years of QPR’s history.

Favourite current TV programme?

New Girl for comedy. Chicago Fire for drama.

Your most prized football memorabilia?

The Dimitar Berbatov signed shirt that I’m sure Fulham’s press office will be sending me as soon as the season is over…

Advice to any would-be football writer?

Make as many contacts as you can, and then get in touch with me if you get any good stories.

 

*And the bonus ball today is a wonderful anecdote from Dave Allard about the late, great Ian Willard and a manager who made every football writer’s job so pleasant:

The dear old Duke. The pint, the pipe and stories galore.

Trips to the Midlands with Ipswich were enhanced by his presence.

He once said to Bobby Robson after he was late for a press gathering at Villa Park following a defeat: “Stop behaving like a twat Bob.”

Robbo said: “Ahh Ian, you’re probably right.”

Priceless.

IAN WILLARS OBITUARY

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THE DUKE – AN OLD SCHOOL REPORTER WHO MADE YOU SMILE A WARM SMILE

By COLIN TATTUM

IAN Willars, a former Birmingham Post & Mail journalist and chairman of the Football Writers’ Association (Midlands), has died aged 75.

Ian, or ‘The Duke’ as he was known, was a legendary character in Midlands football and cricketing circles, and beyond.

He was an old school reporter, a fine and concise writer, who got stories through his contacts and through trust. It wasn’t just what he produced in the newspaper, but the stories behind the stories, the scrapes, the fun. Ian was a bon viveur and charming, never sour, company. Whenever you met him and asked how he was, the answer was always the same: ‘In beautiful condition’. He had that effect on you – he made you smile a warm smile.

Ian was a major figure in my formative years at the Mail, he took me under his wing as a cub reporter when I first popped up in the Colmore Row offices on work experience. Along with the then sports editor Ian Johnson, he was a major influence. The two of them seemed to look upon me kindly and look after me, educating me in the ways of the sports hack’s world back then in the late 80s – and it was a different world.

No mobile phones, no Internet, no set-piece and sanitised press conferences that are the staple of Sky Sports.

The Mail had resources too, we had a big staff. We even had our own pub on site, the Printer’s Devil and – wait for it – a snooker room. They were great, fun-filled days, Ian would bestride the local scene, and I can never recall anyone having a bad word to say about him. He would always pass on little tips and advice, some of which, although they seemed so simple at the time, still matter.

Never more than 25 words in every paragraph in your story, he would say. Never forget who you are writing for.

And when managers would get uppity at criticism, he used to puff on his pipe, look over his reading glasses and remind anyone in earshot: ‘We see ’em come – we see ’em go’.

Those around Ian in his heyday and on the countless trips he made all over, covering our local sides in Europe or with England, plus Warwickshire and Worcestershire, will have many, many anecdotes and tales about The Duke which are better than mine. But I would nevertheless like to share a few, which always make me chuckle.

In 1988, he was covering the European Championship in West Germany and I took two weeks holiday, got a rail card (which was only £50) and travelled around watching as many matches as I could. Ian, already in situ, knew I was coming out and got a message back asking if I could get him an advance on his expenses, in petty cash.

‘Tell them it’s for hotel valeting – I need my trousers pressed’. That was code for beer money.

I would turn up at the various hotels he was booked into with the official touring party, crash out in his room to get some much needed sleep, and then the next day be introduced to the great and good of Fleet Street, and England’s players, who used to stay in the same accommodation as the press.

One evening I remember he called me down to the hotel bar in Dusseldorf and said: ‘Right, there’s this lovely young Fraulein I’d like you to meet’. I got chatting to her and thought my luck was in.

Next thing I know Everton’s Gary Stevens plonked himself down on the other bar stool next to her and, for some reason, she swivelled her chair and started fluttering her eyelashes at him. Can’t imagine why. Ian just laughed that mischievous laugh of his.

Also on duty covering England, at Italia 90, one of Ian’s briefs was to supply a regular diary chronicling the thoughts of a then relatively unknown David Platt. When Platt scored that volley against Belgium, putting England into the World Cup quarter-finals in the most dramatic of fashion, everyone wanted a piece of him. The interest went crazy. Platt was spirited away by England and Ian couldn’t get to him. No one, could, in fact. He was stuck, on deadline, and without a word from the new national hero for the next day’s newspaper.

Nevertheless, the Birmingham Evening Mail’s front page carried a Platt exclusive – ‘My dream goal’, screamed the headline. The Mail bigwigs were delighted.

And how had Ian pulled it off? ‘Well,’ he revealed later, drawing on his pipe, before smiling, ‘it’s what he would have said . . . ‘.

Ian also had a nifty trick to fool the bosses at the Mail base. He would bring two jackets to work; one to wear, one to sling on the back of his chair. The reason became clear – when you disappeared ‘over the road’ to the Queen’s Head pub in Steelhouse Lane, everyone assumed you were still around, just in a different part of the office.

Thus the ‘10.31 club’ was born – in the Queen’s a minute after it opened in the morning. And Ian would often say he was only there for some ‘intro juice’.

I doubt if we will ever see the like of Ian again. The new breed of football journalist is a different case, working in more cloying, less fun conditions. Ian, Ian Johnson and the reporters of that ilk used to joke that they were the ‘last of the BTJs’ – bar trained journalists.

What he would have made of social media, Twitter and the message board sages, I dread to think. I remember when we began using mobile phones, those huge housebrick things that you had to charge up for days.

Ian was in the press box at Bramall Lane shouting to make himself heard to the Sports Argus copytaker on the other end of the line, who was trying to type out his words of wisdom for his live ‘running’ report to go in that evening’s pink.

‘Duke’, someone noticed, ‘you’re holding the phone the wrong way round’.

I played for Ian’s Sunday football team, Boldmere Greens, when I first started out at the Mail. Everyone there found him engaging, a real gent and great company, just like those in his profession did.

I owe Ian a lot. Not only was he an excellent writer, very knowledgeable about football, cricket and extremely helpful to others, but he was a character who brought light into other people’s life, without ever being arrogant or superior.

Rest in peace, Duke.

This article is reprinted from Colin Tattum’s Birmingham City blog

BANNING FOOTBALL WRITERS IS A BRITISH HABIT

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By CHRISTOPHER DAVIES

YOU’RE BANNED.

The sadly all too familiar words directed at football writers. Clubs, usually at the behest of the manager, exclude a reporter, even the newspaper, from press conferences and at times from match days. And there is nothing the Football Writers’ Association or anyone can do.

The joke in Manchester is that any journalist covering United who hasn’t been banned at some time is not doing his job properly. Yet excluding football writers is not funny, with Luke Edwards of the Daily Telegraph the latest to be given a banning order by Newcastle United who were upset at his claim that the club’s significant French contingent have yet to fully adapt to the needs of English football.

Edwards wrote: “The tension is believed to be down to the fact some individuals have been more interested in complaining about tactics and worrying about their own personal agendas rather than helping the club to survive in the Barclays Premier League. That has infuriated those who are deeply concerned by the manner in which the team have imploded since losing to Benfica in the quarter-finals of the Europa League earlier this month.

“Telegraph Sport understands that there is concern that the large French contingent on Tyneside do not care as much about the team’s demise and have failed to grasp what is needed to succeed in English football.”

Newcastle sent the newspaper a solicitors letter demanding a retraction and the removal of the article from the Telegraph web site. Until that happens “both Luke Edwards and any representative of the Daily Telegraph/Sunday Telegraph will be banned from attending St James’ Park and from attending any Newcastle United pre-match press conferences and all Newcastle United player interviews at the training facilities.”

Edwards, who previously worked on the Journal, said: “I’ve been covering Newcastle for 12 years now. My sources are 100 per cent trusted and reliable.”

Something, somewhere is wrong at Newcastle who were 66-1 to be relegated before the January transfer window when the club signed four more French-speaking players. As 2012/13 comes to an end, Newcastle are facing the prospect of Championship football next season but the club deny that having a majority of French players in the side is a contributory factor though many had voiced their concern that “Le Toon” could have a negative effect on the team.

Football writers are not cheerleaders, they are not programme editors always having to fly the flag for clubs or putting a positive spin on things after a seventh consecutive defeat. It is worrying that clubs can ban newspapers for not being supportive and Edwards said: “It is a danger. It’s indicative of an industry that’s trying to get greater control over the messages that come out and what is written about their football clubs and their products.

“Clubs expect the local paper to be like fans and show loyalty and not criticise them. And they can actually be a lot more sensitive to criticism from local newspapers. I think every sports journalist out there, local or national, will take an interest in this because it could happen to them.”

Perhaps the most frustrating is when a reporter is banned for writing a story that is totally correct but the club were angry the news leaked out. Clubs demand accurate reporting yet still show the red card to accurate reporters.

Kaylee Seckington, who covers Crawley Town for the Crawley News, was banned from speaking to players and manager Richie Barker after he was unhappy with two headlines.

Alex Thomson of Channel 4 News believes newspapers should show solidarity and boycott clubs who operate bans. He wrote in a recent blog: “It’s this bizarre thing in British football where reporters or even entire organisations are banned (i.e. censored) for doing their job, in a way which would surely never be tolerated in any other media field in Britain. This is what the nastier and more corrupt regimes around the world do – pick on individuals and organisations, safe in the knowledge that the rest, the herd, are far too cowed and terrified to do one goddam thing about it.

“So after Syria, corrupt West African despots and so on, I see something similar in the way big British football handles its craven media. I refer to the practice of football clubs simply banning any journalist, paper, broadcaster who dares write something seriously critical about a club.

“There are some long-established abusers of press freedom. Cities where this is as accepted a part of life as rain. Celtic and Rangers share a shameful pedigree in this: for years they’ve felt able to ban reporters with impunity and nobody seems to lift a finger in protest. Where’s the boycott of Old Trafford, St James’s Park, Ibrox and Celtic Park? Where’s the solidarity? Where’s the sense that a free and fair media matters a hell of a lot more than a bunch of football managers who think they can come over all Stasi because they’re so damned precious they can’t take any stick?

“It’s pathetic. It’s inexcusable. It’s another reflection of the tawdry morality in modern British football. And the media from Sky Sports (with their oh-so-cosy first question in the press conference) and the BBC to local papers should call time on this. Where is the Football Writers’ Association? Next time this happens wouldn’t it be a fine thing if there was nobody at the manager’s press conference and no cameras or radio at their match?

“Banning reporters should become a breach of contract and regulation which it is the clear duty of the FA to impose upon the game which looks more powerless and weak every time this happens””

The FWA have put forward the idea of an arbitration panel comprising representatives from the organisation plus English football’s major stakeholders to rule on disputes. Legally a club can ban anyone from entering their premises though such treatment of football writers and their newspapers is a practice that is not widespread in Europe.

Gabriele Marcotti, the England-based Italian sports journalist who writes a column in The Times each Monday, said: “Italy would not ban a newspaper. In Italy we have a strong newspapers and journalists guild. People wouldn’t stand for it or some of the stuff that happens here, like assistant managers going to press conferences or managers having private briefings.

“I think it’s ridiculous [to ban papers]. If a  newspaper was banned in Italy I think what would happen is that people would boycott the next press conference. When Jose Mourinho was coach at Inter Milan he banned an individual journalist. At his next press conference the moment he sat down everyone got up and walked out. In Italy we tend to sink or fall together.”

Guillem Balague, who is part of Sky Sports’ La Liga coverage and the magazine programme Revista De La Liga, said: “In Spain they don’t ban you but they have another way of making sure you don’t get stories. Clubs would just give them to others.

“There was an incident with Mourinho who took a journalist aside and into a room where there were six people. He started to have a go at the reporter because stories had been leaking from the camp and Mourinho wanted the writer to reveal his source.

“It’s interesting here that even though you cannot access clubs who control who says what yet they still they feel the need to ban.

“But banning in Spain? No. It’s a bit of a medal though, isn’t it?”

BALE HUMBLED TO JOIN FWA “LEGENDS”

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Photography: Action Images

Scroll down to watch a video of 2013 Footballer of the Year Gareth Bale or Click Here for more exclusive FWA video content

Tottenham midfielder Gareth Bale revealed he felt humbled to have taken his place among the “legends” of the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year.

The Wales international, 23, topped the poll of journalists for 2012/2013 with a narrow victory over Manchester United forward Robin van Persie, who was last year’s recipient when at Arsenal.

Bale’s 25 goals in all competitions have helped take Andre Villas-Boas men into the quarter-finals of the Europa League and kept them in the race to secure a return to the Champions League via a top-four finish in the Barclays Premier League.

The FWA accolade has been running since 1948, when Sir Stanley Matthews was the first recipient of a long list which includes the likes of England World Cup winning captain Bobby Moore, the Charlton brothers, George Best through Kevin Keegan, Eric Cantona, Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry and Christiano Ronaldo.

“When you look at all of the past winners, the legends of the game, this is a massive honour, and to be on the list with them now is a massive privilege,” Bale said as he received his award from FWA chairman Andy Dunn, chief sports writer for the Sunday Mirror ahead of a gala dinner at the Lancaster London Hotel on May 9.

“You always dream of things like this, whether they come true or not is another, but now that it has, it is a massive achievement for me, but one I could have not done without my team or my manager.

“The team has been fantastic this season and we have played some very good stuff, it is always easier to play in a really good team.

“The manager has been fantastic for me, playing me in different positions where I am able to find the space and actually show my stuff. “I have really enjoyed my football and been able to play well.”

Bale was also named Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year by the Professional Footballers’ Association.

“Hopefully there is a lot more (to come),” the Wales forward added.

“I have only just started in my new free role in the middle, so there is still a lot to learn in that position for me, I still need to kind of figure out a few things which is important.

“As I say to myself every season, I want to improve again, there are still things I need to improve, there are things which need working on in more areas than others, and I can do that.”

Chelsea’s Juan Mata was third in the journalists poll, with Bale taking the first place with 53% of the votes ahead of Van Persie. Bale becomes Spurs’ first winner of the FWA award since David Ginola in 1999, and the first Wales international to be selected for English football’s oldest individual trophy since Everton’s Neville Southall in 1985.

Tottenham head into the final two games of the Premier League season still hopeful of securing a top-four finish.

 


Bale said: “Everyone at Tottenham still believes, we know it is not in our hands, but there are a lot of funny things which can happen in football.

“The main thing is we need to concentrate on ourselves and hope that little bit of luck goes with us.”



Click Here to read & watch what Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas had to say about Gareth Bale, the 2013 FWA Footballer of the Year.



 

FWA Chairman Andy Dunn, of the Sunday Mirror, felt Bale was a deserved winner of the 2013 Footballer of the Year trophy.

“In a contest for votes which took so many late twists and turns, this young man’s penchant for the spectacular captured the imagination,” he said.

“Gareth is a player who is rising inexorably towards thte rarefied levels of world stars such as Lionel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo.

“Twice the PFA Player of the Year and now, still some two months before his 24th birthday, the 2013 FWA Footballer of the Year.

“Let’s hope he lights up the Barclays Premier League for many seasons to come.”




Gareth Bale: Footballer of the Year 2013


Words: Jim van Wijk, FWA National Committee

IT IS AN HONOUR TO BE GARETH’S MANAGER

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Photography: Action Images

To watch a video of Andre Villas-Boas’ tribute to the 2013 Footballer of the Year and more, Click Here

By Andre Villas-Boas

Another season has gone by. A few players have stood out, a few players caught the eye and a few have been at another level.

Some, though, were simply outstanding.  And in that small group is Gareth Bale.

As a manager you can only get to know a player fully when you start working with him. You see what makes him tick, get to know his personality and his character intimately and you see what he enjoys to do or not to do on the pitch.

Gareth had an impressive impact on me and my staff for the obvious reasons that we all know: his power, his leap and the innate talent that he has.

Everybody has seen that during our games this season but it’s away from the public eye in training where I’ve been privileged to witness his brilliance.

I was amazed by his ability to stop, turn, accelerate and change direction at incredible speed yet still remain composed enough to slot in that cross, that final pass or the shot which could make the difference on any given matchday.

Can Gareth evolve and become better? Like every player and like all of us in our profession, you have to say yes.

In the same way as Ajax and Barcelona breed their young players, Gareth’s experiences as a left-back, a winger and a striker have allowed him to live and experience different situations in the game to which he has had to adapt.  When all of that knowledge becomes instinctive he will be able to further develop his game and we will continue to enjoy watching him play.

During pre-season in Baltimore, when I first approached Gareth to play as a lone striker his response was: “I can try, but it’s not my position.” How lucky can a manager be that out of an experiment you discover something that can work!

In my opinion, any single individual award that is won in a sport where you are so dependent on your team-mates is not always fair, but I raise a glass to the person who in their biggest moments of glory is able to recognise the importance of the ones that surround them on a daily basis and are able to share that glory with them.

Gareth has done exactly that with all of us at Tottenham Hotspur when he joined that elite group of players to have added the Footballer of the Year award to recognition by the PFA.

That is down to Gareth’s humbleness and transparency as a person and makes him stand out as a great sportsman.

Congratulations Gareth it is a pleasure to work with you and an honour to be your manager.







This article is in the brochure for the Footballer of the Year Dinner at the Lancaster London, May 9.