(Stanley Matthews holds the silver sugar bowl that was presented to him for being voted Footballer of the Year for the second time in 1963 – PA Archive)

One of the greatest footballers England has ever produced, and arguably the greatest. In 1948, at 33, Matthews was remarkably only approaching the midway point of his career.

Matthews began his incredible career at Stoke City, making his debut as a 17 year-old and was an England international at 19. Between 1933 and 1957 Matthews represented England 54 times despite losing six of his peak years as a 24 to 30 year-old to the Second World War.

(Stanley Matthews, Blackpool’s outside right, beats Syd Ellis, Charlton’s left back – Sport and General/S&G and Barratts/EMPICS Sport)

Upon the resumption of his career post-war Matthews transferred from Stoke City to Blackpool. He represented the Seasiders more than 400 times over the course of 15 seasons, with his most famous game the victorious 1953 FA Cup final, one that has since been christened the ‘Matthews Final.’

This was to be Matthews’ only top flight honour in the game, although he did win two Second Division titles with Stoke 30 years apart in 1933 and 1963.

The latter of which saw Matthews impress to such an extent that despite playing in the second tier and aged 48 he was named Footballer of the Year for the second time.

(Stanley Matthews in the thrilling FA Cup final at the Empire Stadium, 1953 – PA Archive)

Matthews’ reputation in the world game was as high as it was in England and in 1956 he was voted the first winner of the prestigious Ballon d’Or.

(Stanley Matthews, Stoke City – PA Archive)

Sir Stanley Matthews, The Wizard of the Dribble, professional footballer from the age of 17 to 50, a truly remarkable man and deserved recipient of the inaugural trophy.

(England’s Stanley Matthews takes on Scotland’s George Young – S&G/S&G and Barratts/EMPICS Sport)

What Stan said:

“Winning the Footballer of the Year award for the second time at the age of 48 was a big moment for me, but could not match my first win in 1948.

“To be the first winner was marvellous and still to be around and invited to the 1997 dinner as guest of honour to mark the 50th anniversary underlines what I mean about the significance of that award to me.

“When I look back over my career, those two Footballer of the Year awards mean so much to me. They represent what I achieved over a long period, and I am very, very proud of them.”

What the Writers said:

(Bert Trautmann with his Footballer of the Year trophy 1956 – PA Archive)

Bert Trautmann has one of the most unique stories in English football history.

The German was transported to the UK during the Second World War as a prisoner-of-war after being captured on the Western Front.

Upon his release from the POW camp in Lancashire, Trautmann refused the offer of repatriation to Germany and settled in England. He played one season in goal for Liverpool County Combination club St Helens Town, before a move to First Division Manchester City.

Anti-German sentiment was rife at the time and a crowd of up to 25,000 turned out to demonstrate against a former-Luftwaffe paratrooper representing City.

(Bert Trautmann is introduced to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh before the 1956 FA Cup Final – PA Archive)

Over time Trautmann won the fans around through his heroic goalkeeping performances, one in particular away to Fulham leading to a standing ovation from home and away supporters alike.

(Bert Trautmann in action against Fulham at Craven Cottage 1950 – PA Archive)

The goalkeepers most famous game was, of course, the 1956 FA Cup final, just two days after becoming the first non-British or Irish player to receive the FWA award.

With 17 minutes left to play Trautmann dived at the feet of Birmingham City forward Peter Murphy and suffered a broken neck from the collision. He was later told that ‘according to all medical know-how he should have been dead’, as it was Trautmann was revived with smelling salts, played out the remainder of the game and even enjoyed the victors banquet before finally going to hospital.

(Bert Trautmann dives at the feet of Birmingham City’s Peter Murphy in the neck breaking moment during the FA Cup Final 1956 – PA Archive)

Trautmann played more than 500 games for City establishing himself as a club legend and was admired throughout the country going on to be awarded an honorary OBE in 2004 for his work in Anglo-German relations.

Trautmann received an Iron Cross in Germany during the Second World War for bravery on the Eastern Front and in later life an Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

It is highly likely Trautmann is the only man to have ever been awarded both a British OBE and a German Iron Cross, a truly unique man beloved in his native Germany and adopted England.

(Bert Trautmann dives through the air to save a shot from Wolves player Ronald Flowers – PA Archive)

What Bert said:

“It was my great honour to be the first foreign player to be elected Footballer of the Year. How could I forget it? Just two days after receiving the award I broke my neck in the FA Cup final at Wembley!

“I played for the rest of the game in a daze, with my head tilted to one side to try to ease the pain. Of course, I had no idea then just how serious the injury was.

“I returned to action halfway through the next season and continued to play for City for another eight years.

“I had watched the Hungarians beat England 6-3 in 1953 along with several of my city team-mates, and we decided we should try the Hidegkuti style, of a deep lying centre-forward. Don Revie played the role to perfection, and we reached two successive FA Cup finals and I followed Don as Footballer of the Year.”

What the writers said:

(George Best holds the Footballer of the Year trophy in 1968 – PA Archive)

George Best was so much more than a footballer. His talent on the field, good looks and lifestyle earned him the nickname the ‘fifth Beatle’. At his peak, Best was a sensational player, spending ten seasons at Manchester United for whom he lifted two First Division trophies and the 1968 European Cup.

1968 was the height of Best’s career. Not only was he the youngest winner of the FWA award at 21, but he scored in the European Cup final and was named the European Footballer of the Year.

Best is widely regarded as the greatest Irishman to have played the game. He only turned out 37 times for Northern Ireland, but when he graced the pitch of Windsor Park the whole country stood still to watch.

Best made 466 appearances for Manchester United, scoring 178 goals, and was thought of as the outstanding British talent of his generation and one of the greatest players to have ever played the game.

(George Best in action for Manchester United – PA Archive)

His dribbling skills were second to none with Sir Alex Ferguson describing him as “naturally athletic, tough, confident and blessed with genius, his career was one of the brightest stars of its generation. His gifts were legendary.”

(George Best runs at the Everton defence, watched by Everton’s Alan Ball – Peter Robinson/EMPICS Sport)

(George Best in action at Swansea where Northern Ireland took on Wales – PA Archive)

Off the pitch, Best lived the life more of a pop star than a footballer, often described as the first ‘celebrity footballer’, with his every action scrutinised by the media.

During the latter part of his career Best’s dedication to football often came below drink, sex and gambling and it was his alcoholism that caused him so many issues in later life before his death aged just 59.

Best had his problems off the pitch but on it there was no disputing his genius, as Sir Matt Busby said: “George had more ways of beating a player than anyone I’ve ever seen. He was unique in his gifts.”

(George Best at Old Trafford 1968 – PA Archive)

What George said:

“The month of May 1968 was, to say the least, pretty special for me. I collected my Footballer of the Year award two days before the FA Cup final, helped Manchester United beat Real Madrid in the European Cup semi-final the following week and, on 29 May, played in the European Cup Final against Benfica at Wembley.

“That was the match of a lifetime, and our victory after extra time meant so much to everybody because we knew it was the one thing that the boss, Matt Busby, wanted above all else.

“It was during that season of 1967-68 that I played what was probably my finest game for Northern Ireland. We beat a very good Scotland side 1-0 at Windsor Park and everybody was telling me afterwards that it was the greatest individual display they had ever seen. I think that must have played a big part in getting me the vote of the football writers in a year when there were a lot of outstanding candidates.”

What the writers said:

(Pat Jennings with the 1973 Footballer of the Year trophy – PA Archive)

Jennings is a rare breed in that he is idolised by supporters of both Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, a legend in goal for both clubs.

The Northern Irishman played just shy of 600 matches for Spurs and 327 for the Gunners on his way to becoming the first British man to play 1,000 games.

He even registered a goal in the 1967 FA Charity Shield as his clearance bounced over Manchester United goalkeeper Alex Stepney and into the back of the net.

(Northern Ireland’s Pat Jennings makes a save against England at Wembley, 1985 – PA Archive)

Jennings’s Northern Ireland career stretched 22 years, with his final professional match coming in the 1986 World Cup when aged 41 he stepped onto the pitch for the 119th and final time. He is currently still the record cap holder for his country.

(Pat Jennings blocks a shot for Arsenal from West Bromwich Albion’s Brendon Batson at Highbury – PA Archive)

(Cyril Knowles (left) and Pat Jennings carry the FA cup, after Tottenham Hotspurs 1967 victory over Chelsea at Wembley – PA Archive)

Described by the great Gordon Banks as “the perfect goalkeeper: safe hands, razor sharp reflexes, an acute understanding of angles and positioning, brave without being foolish and a master of intelligent distribution. Above all he had a marvellous temperament. No matter how great the pressure, he was always calm and in control.”

During his 13 seasons at Tottenham, Jennings won the FA Cup, two League Cups and a UEFA Cup. However, despite reaching four cup finals with Arsenal, he only managed one FA Cup triumph with the Gunners.

Post his playing career, Jennings spent 25 years on the coaching team at Spurs and is still a regular at Tottenham Hotspur matches more than 50 years on from joining the club.

(Pat Jennings in action for Northern Ireland against Brazil in the 1986 World Cup – S&G and Barratts/EMPICS Sport)

What Pat said:

“The FWA announcement of my award as Footballer of the Year in 1972-3 cited my ‘many years of consistency at club and international level’. “The highlight of my season came on the morning of the Grand National when I saved two penalties at Anfield against Liverpool, who later went on to win the Championship. When I collected my statuette I said : ‘How could I avoid the award playing behind our defence?’

“That year Spurs won the League Cup with a Wembley victory against Norwich and became the first team to have their name on the trophy for a second time.

“But for me and the side it was another statistic in a remarkable cup record, the ninth senior final and the ninth win, the sixth under manager Bill Nicholson. Following the League Cup triumph in 1971 and the UEFA Cup in 1972 – we beat Wolves 3-2 on aggregate – it brought Spurs a remarkable hat-trick.”

What the writers said:

(John Barnes with his second Footballer of the Year trophy for the 1989-90 season – PA Archive)

Barnes was elected the Footballer of the Year at the end of his first season with Liverpool on the way to collecting the first major honour of his career, the First Division title.

At Liverpool, Barnes first excelled from the left-wing, adding creativity to the already dominant side of the decade. Both his Footballer of the Year awards came from that position, however, later in his career Barnes would move into midfield and become the orchestrator of the side.

In the 1987-88 season Barnes scored 14 goals as Liverpool romped to the League title and were only denied a double after their surprise loss to Wimbledon in the FA Cup final.

(John Barnes takes on Manchester United’s Bryan Robson in 1992 – Neal Simpson/EMPICS Sport)

(John Barnes in action for England against Argentina in 1991 – Neal Simpson/EMPICS Sport)

He would go on to win the FA Cup the following season and again three years later, Barnes also lifted a further League title in 1990 and the League Cup in 1995.

Barnes collected 79 caps for England having chosen to represent the country he grew up in from the age of 12 rather than Jamaica the country of his birth.

He scored 11 goals for England and none more memorable than his first, an incredible mazy dribble taking on half the Brazil team, before rounding the goalkeeper and slotting in. Manager Bobby Robson said of it: “Nobody who was in the Maracana Stadium when John scored his wonder goal for England will ever forget it.“

(John Barnes during the 1989 FA Cup Final for Liverpool against rivals Everton – Peter Robinson/EMPICS Sport)

Barnes won all his major honours as a Liverpool player, but he is fondly remembered by fans of his first club Watford, for whom he made more than 200 league appearances. He also represented Newcastle United and Charlton Athletic in his later career, before spells as manager of Celtic, Jamaica and Tranmere Rovers.

What John said:

“I reckon that any three or four of the Liverpool side in 1987-88 could have won the Footballer of the Year award. Kenny Dalglish had taken over from Joe Fagan as manager in 1985 and, when I signed from Watford, I thought we were set for a transitional period that clubs go through when new signings arrive. But we all clicked right from the first kick.

“Perhaps I earned the votes ahead of the others because I was more flamboyant than some of my team-mates and caught the eye more, but I honestly feel I collected the trophy for being part of a superb team performance.

(John Barnes, Liverpool, celebrates his team’s goal against Burnley – Tony Marshall/EMPICS Sport)

“Liverpool were runners-up in the League championship when I won again in 1990 and I remember being linked with those all-time greats Stanley Matthews and Tom Finney as the third of three wingers among the select band of players who have won the trophy for a second time. I never had the pleasure of seeing Tom Finney play, but I was flattered when he commented that I was bringing wing skills back into the game.”

What the writers said:

(Tottenham Hotspur’s Jurgen Klinsmann shows off the Footballer of the Year trophy – PA Archive/)

Klinsmann’s move to Tottenham Hotspur came somewhat out of the blue and was a remarkable coup for Spurs to sign a player who had just scored five goals at the 1994 World Cup.

The German settled into life in the Premier League quickly and instantly became a fan’s favourite after scoring on his debut and celebrating in what became his trademark ‘diving’ style.

Klinsmann netted 30 goals in all competitions in his only full-season with the club, forming a formidable strike partnership with Teddy Sheringham.

Klinsmann scored in his first seven successive appearances for Tottenham and added many more across the season, including some fabulous goals.

It was this goal scoring ability, combined with the link up play with Sheringham that saw the striker elected Footballer of the Year for 1995. Later that year he was to come second in the voting for Ballon d’Or winner, missing out to AC Milan’s George Weah.

(Germany’s Jurgen Klinsmann celebrates scoring in the 1994 World Cup – Tony Marshall/EMPICS Sport)

After only one season in England Klinsmann moved back to Germany to play for Bayern Munich. He went on to win the Bundesliga title and the UEFA Cup with Bayern, scoring an impressive 15 goals in just 12 matches in the European competition.

(Tottenham Hotspur’s Jurgen Klinsmann (R) and Teddy Sheringham (L) celebrate – Ross Kinnaird/EMPICS Sport)

In late 1997 Klinsmann returned to Spurs for the final months of his playing career. Tottenham were involved in a relegation battle and the German’s nine goals in 15 games made all the difference in their fight for survival. None more so than the four he notched against Wimbledon in the penultimate game of the season to ensure the club’s survival in the Premier League.

(Jurgen Klinsmann celebrates his first of four goals for Tottenham Hotspur against Wimbledon in 1998 – TOM HEVEZI/PA Archive)

Klinsmann had an exceptional international career scoring 47 goals in 108 caps for West Germany and Germany. This made him both the second highest scorer and second most capped player at the time of his retirement.

His three goals in the 1990 World Cup for West Germany helped them lift the trophy for the third time.

(Jurgen Klinsmann in action for Tottenham Hotspur in the 1997-98 Premiership against Coventry City – Sean Dempsey/PA Archive)

What Jurgen said:

“It was my 28 goals during the season that helped me clinch the Footballer of the Year award and I was thrilled to become the second German after Bert Trautmann to be honoured with the selection. Bert made a special trip to see me collect the award, and we had a long talk about the way the game has changed.

“When I accepted the trophy, I had mixed feelings because I knew that I would be shortly leaving a club that will always have a special place in my affections. I made a point of thanking Teddy Sheringham for his contribution. He and I had a great understanding, as the 38 goals we scored between us in the Premiership proves.

“It was an extremely satisfying way to end my stay in England that I will always look back on with pride… and fond memories.”

What the writers said:

(Arsenal striker Thierry Henry with the Football Writers’ Association award. Steve Parsons/PA Archive)

Henry was not only the first man to win back to back Footballer of the Year awards, he went on to win it an unprecedented three times.

At international and club level Henry won the lot. A World and European Champion with France by the age of 22, Henry added two Premier League titles and two FA Cups to his name at Arsenal, before transferring to Barcelona in order to fulfil his ambition of a Champions League title, something he achieved in 2009.

(Thierry Henry celebrates scoring for Arsenal against Leeds in 2012 – Tony Marshall/EMPICS Sport)

By the time of his retirement Henry was the all time top scorer for both France and Arsenal, with 51 and 228 goals respectively.

Henry won the Premier League golden boot a record four times during his career, with one of those coming in 2003-04, the first unbeaten league season since Preston North End in 1888-89.

(Thierry Henry celebrates a UEFA Champions League goal in 2000 – Craig Prentis/EMPICS Sport)

In Henry’s three FWA winning seasons he scored or assisted an astonishing 158 goals in 151 appearances. Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said of Henry:

“During his career with Arsenal, Thierry won the FWA Footballer of the Year three times, and each was justly deserved because during those seasons, there was no better player in the Premier League.

(Thierry Henry with Arsene Wenger in 1999 – Tony Harris/PA Archive)

(Thierry Henry lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy in 2009 – Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport)

“Thierry was really special. During his best period with Arsenal, he could make the difference at any time, and score anywhere at any moment.

“When he really had decided ‘now I will do it’, he always did it. Nobody could stop him.”

A fitting tribute to a phenomenal player.

What Thierry 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. 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.”

What the writers said: