Steven Gerrard wins Footballer of the Year award

Steven Gerrard has been voted the 2009 Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers' Association.
The 28-year-old Liverpool captain topped the poll of journalists ahead of Manchester United team-mates Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney to win the prestigious accolade, which has been running since 1948.
Gerrard, who has led his side's challenge to United for the Barclays Premier League title, will receive his award at the FWA's gala dinner at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on May 29.
"I'm delighted but I'm a little bit surprised," Gerrard said. "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."
Rafael Benitez , the Liverpool manager, had nothing but praise for his captain. "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."
"Steven's performances this season have been of the highest quality," Steve Bates, the chairman of the FWA, said.
"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 are delighted to honour his contribution to club and country."
Source:The times