FWA Footballer of the Year
In the vibrant world of English football, individual brilliance is celebrated through prestigious accolades, and none stands quite as tall as the FWA Footballer of the Year award. Chosen by the very journalists who chronicle the beautiful game, it's a testament to consistent excellence throughout a grueling season. Join us as we explore the history, the legends, and the fascinating stories behind this iconic honor. The FWA Footballer of the Year award is voted on by experienced football journalists, making it a unique recognition of season-long performance. Only a select few players have managed to win this prestigious award multiple times, showcasing an extraordinary level of sustained brilliance. Beyond individual glory, the award highlights dominant eras for specific clubs and the increasing global nature of top-tier English football.
AI Summary
In the vibrant world of English football, individual brilliance is celebrated through prestigious accolades, and none stands quite as tall as the FWA Footballer of the Year award. Chosen by the very journalists who chronicle the beautiful game, it's a testament to consistent excellence throughout a grueling season. Join us as we explore the history, the legends, and the fascinating stories behind this iconic honor.
- The FWA Footballer of the Year award is voted on by experienced football journalists, making it a unique recognition of season-long performance.
- Only a select few players have managed to win this prestigious award multiple times, showcasing an extraordinary level of sustained brilliance.
- Beyond individual glory, the award highlights dominant eras for specific clubs and the increasing global nature of top-tier English football.
English Football's Crown Jewel
The Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award, often simply known as the FWA Footballer of the Year, is one of the most revered individual honors in English football. Since its inception, it has recognized the player deemed to be the absolute best in a given season, setting a benchmark for consistent, outstanding performance.
This annual accolade has a rich history, stretching all the way back to the 1947–48 season. It predates many other major awards, establishing itself as a foundational piece of footballing recognition. To win it is to etch your name into the annals of the sport.
The First Icon: Sir Stanley Matthews
The inaugural winner was none other than the legendary Stanley Matthews, then a winger for Blackpool. Known for his mesmerizing dribbling and incredible longevity, Matthews' selection set a high standard for the award, celebrating a player whose talent captivated an entire nation.
The idea for the award came from Charles Buchan, a former professional player who transitioned into a distinguished career in football journalism. As one of the founders of the Football Writers' Association, Buchan envisioned an award that truly reflected the informed opinion of those who watched the game closest.
The Voices Behind the Vote
What makes the FWA award distinct is its electorate. The winner is chosen through a vote by the hundreds of members of the Football Writers' Association — around 400 journalists spread across England. These are the individuals who watch matches week in and week out, analyze tactics, and interview players, offering a truly professional perspective.
The Elite Club of Multiple Winners
Winning the FWA award once is a monumental achievement, but to win it more than once speaks to a player's unparalleled dominance and consistency. Only nine players have managed this feat, placing them in an incredibly exclusive club of footballing legends. This rare distinction highlights sustained excellence over several seasons.
At the very pinnacle of this group are Thierry Henry and Mohamed Salah, each with an astounding three wins to their name. Their ability to maintain such high standards over different periods showcases not just their talent, but their incredible dedication and impact on the game.
A Unique Tie and Goalkeeper's Glory
In its long history, the FWA award has only once been shared. In the 1968–69 season, Manchester City's Tony Book and Derby County's Dave Mackay both received the honor, a rare testament to their equally outstanding contributions. It's a moment that underscores how difficult it can be to pick just one standout performer.
For goalkeepers, winning this award is particularly challenging, given the natural bias towards outfield players who score goals or create dazzling moments. Neville Southall's win for Everton in 1985 remains a significant highlight, being the last time a shot-stopper claimed the coveted prize, proving his immense influence.
Legends and Their Legacy
As the Premier League era dawned, the FWA award continued to highlight players who defined their generations. Dennis Bergkamp, Arsenal's elegant Dutchman, captivated fans with his sublime skill and vision, earning him the award in the 1997–98 season, a period where he truly elevated the artistry of English football.
Thierry Henry became the first player to win the award in two consecutive seasons, achieving this remarkable feat in 2002–03 and 2003–04. His blistering pace, clinical finishing, and incredible consistency made him the undisputed king of Arsenal's 'Invincibles' era.
Following in Henry's footsteps, Cristiano Ronaldo also achieved back-to-back wins in 2006–07 and 2007–08. During his initial spell at Manchester United, Ronaldo was a force of nature, collecting not just the FWA award, but often a clean sweep of every major individual honor available that year.
Steven Gerrard's win in 2009 was a poignant moment, ending a nineteen-year drought for a Liverpool player. The talismanic midfielder's leadership and crucial performances epitomized his lifelong dedication to the club, showcasing that passion and influence are as valued as goals and assists.
The most recent recipient, as of the 2024–25 season, is Mohamed Salah of Liverpool, marking his record-equaling third triumph. This achievement solidifies his status as one of the Premier League's all-time greats, demonstrating his enduring impact and consistent goal-scoring prowess for his club.
A Tapestry of Nations
The list of FWA winners vividly illustrates the global nature of English football, with players from numerous countries being recognized for their contributions. While English players dominated the early years, the award has increasingly celebrated talent from across the world.
Country Number of wins Winning years (selected) England 39 1947–48, 1950–51, 1965–66, 2023–24 Scotland 9 1964–65, 1978–79, 1990–91 France 7 1995–96, 2003–04, 2016–17 Northern Ireland 4 1957–58, 1967–68, 1972–73 Netherlands 3 1980–81, 1997–98, 2011–12 Portugal 3 2006–07, 2007–08, 2020–21 Egypt 3 2017–18, 2021–22, 2024–25 Wales 3 1983–84, 1984–85, 2012–13
The breakdown reveals England's historical strength, but also highlights significant contributions from Scottish, French, and more recently, Portuguese and Egyptian stars. It truly mirrors the evolving landscape of football in the Premier League era, a melting pot of global talent.
Club Dynasties and Dominance
Beyond individual accolades, the FWA Footballer of the Year award also tells a story of club dominance. Certain clubs have consistently produced players capable of reaching the pinnacle of individual performance, reflecting periods of sustained success and exceptional squad depth.
Club Number of wins Winning years (selected) Liverpool 16 1973–74, 1979–80, 2017–18, 2024–25 Tottenham Hotspur 9 1957–58, 1986–87, 2012–13 Manchester United 9 1948–49, 1999–00, 2007–08 Arsenal 8 1949–50, 2003–04, 2011–12 Manchester City 7 1954–55, 2022–23, 2023–24 Leeds United 4 1964–65, 1969–70, 1990–91 Chelsea 4 1996–97, 2004–05, 2016–17
Liverpool stands out with an impressive 16 wins, showcasing their consistent production of world-class talent across multiple eras. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur also boast strong showings, while Arsenal and Manchester City have seen significant individual successes, particularly in recent decades. These figures reflect not just great players, but often great teams too.
Article
FWA Footballer of the Year
The Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year (often called the FWA Footballer of the Year, or in England simply the Footballer of the Year) is an annual award given to the player who is adjudged to have been the best of the season in English football. The award has been presented since the 1947–48 season, with the inaugural winner being Blackpool winger Stanley Matthews. The latest winner of the award as of 2024–25 is Mohamed Salah of Liverpool. Nine players have won the award on more than one occasion, with Thierry Henry and Mohamed Salah having won the award on the most occasions, with three wins each.
The winner is selected by a vote amongst the members of the Football Writers' Association (FWA), which comprises around 400 football journalists based throughout England. The award was instigated at the suggestion of Charles Buchan, a former professional footballer turned journalist and one of the Association's founders.
Winners
FWA Footballer of the Year
The award has been presented on 77 occasions as of 2025, to 68 players. On one occasion two players shared the award for a season. The table also indicates where the winning player also won one or more of the other major "player of the year" awards in English football, namely the Professional Footballers' Association's Players' Player of the Year award (PPY), Fans' Player of the Year award (FPY), the Young Player of the Year award (YPY), the Premier League Player of the Season award (PPS), the Premier League Young Player of the Season award (PYPS), and the Football Supporters' Association Player of the Year (FSA).
Neville Southall's 1985 win was the last time a goalkeeper received the award.
Dennis Bergkamp won the award in the 1997–98 season.
Thierry Henry was the first player to win the award in two consecutive seasons.
Cristiano Ronaldo also won the award consecutively, in the 2006–07 and 2007–08 seasons.
Steven Gerrard won the award in 2009, becoming the first Liverpool player to do so for nineteen years.
<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th></th><th>Player</th><th>Club</th><th>Also won</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1947–48</td><td></td><td>Stanley Matthews</td><td>Blackpool</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1948–49</td><td></td><td>Johnny Carey</td><td>Manchester United</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1949–50</td><td></td><td>Joe Mercer</td><td>Arsenal</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1950–51</td><td></td><td>Harry Johnston</td><td>Blackpool</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1951–52</td><td></td><td>Billy Wright</td><td>Wolverhampton Wanderers</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1952–53</td><td></td><td>Nat Lofthouse</td><td>Bolton Wanderers</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1953–54</td><td></td><td>Tom Finney</td><td>Preston North End</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1954–55</td><td></td><td>Don Revie</td><td>Manchester City</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1955–56</td><td></td><td>Bert Trautmann</td><td>Manchester City</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1956–57</td><td></td><td>Tom Finney (2)</td><td>Preston North End</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1957–58</td><td></td><td>Danny Blanchflower</td><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1958–59</td><td></td><td>Syd Owen</td><td>Luton Town</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1959–60</td><td></td><td>Bill Slater</td><td>Wolverhampton Wanderers</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1960–61</td><td></td><td>Danny Blanchflower (2)</td><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1961–62</td><td></td><td>Jimmy Adamson</td><td>Burnley</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1962–63</td><td></td><td>Stanley Matthews (2)</td><td>Stoke City</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1963–64</td><td></td><td>Bobby Moore</td><td>West Ham United</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1964–65</td><td></td><td>Bobby Collins</td><td>Leeds United</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1965–66</td><td></td><td>Bobby Charlton</td><td>Manchester United</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1966–67</td><td></td><td>Jack Charlton</td><td>Leeds United</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1967–68</td><td></td><td>George Best</td><td>Manchester United</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1968–69</td><td></td><td>Tony Book Dave Mackay</td><td>Manchester City Derby County</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1969–70</td><td></td><td>Billy Bremner</td><td>Leeds United</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1970–71</td><td></td><td>Frank McLintock</td><td>Arsenal</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1971–72</td><td></td><td>Gordon Banks</td><td>Stoke City</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1972–73</td><td></td><td>Pat Jennings</td><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1973–74</td><td></td><td>Ian Callaghan</td><td>Liverpool</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1974–75</td><td></td><td>Alan Mullery</td><td>Fulham</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1975–76</td><td></td><td>Kevin Keegan</td><td>Liverpool</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1976–77</td><td></td><td>Emlyn Hughes</td><td>Liverpool</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1977–78</td><td></td><td>Kenny Burns</td><td>Nottingham Forest</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1978–79</td><td></td><td>Kenny Dalglish</td><td>Liverpool</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1979–80</td><td></td><td>Terry McDermott</td><td>Liverpool</td><td>PPY</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1980–81</td><td></td><td>Frans Thijssen</td><td>Ipswich Town</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1981–82</td><td></td><td>Steve Perryman</td><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1982–83</td><td></td><td>Kenny Dalglish (2)</td><td>Liverpool</td><td>PPY</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1983–84</td><td></td><td>Ian Rush</td><td>Liverpool</td><td>PPY</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1984–85</td><td></td><td>Neville Southall</td><td>Everton</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1985–86</td><td></td><td>Gary Lineker</td><td>Everton</td><td>PPY</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1986–87</td><td></td><td>Clive Allen</td><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td>PPY</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1987–88</td><td></td><td>John Barnes</td><td>Liverpool</td><td>PPY</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1988–89</td><td></td><td>Steve Nicol</td><td>Liverpool</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1989–90</td><td></td><td>John Barnes (2)</td><td>Liverpool</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1990–91</td><td></td><td>Gordon Strachan</td><td>Leeds United</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1991–92</td><td></td><td>Gary Lineker (2)</td><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1992–93</td><td></td><td>Chris Waddle</td><td>Sheffield Wednesday</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1993–94</td><td></td><td>Alan Shearer</td><td>Blackburn Rovers</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1994–95</td><td></td><td>Jürgen Klinsmann</td><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1995–96</td><td></td><td>Eric Cantona</td><td>Manchester United</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1996–97</td><td></td><td>Gianfranco Zola</td><td>Chelsea</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1997–98</td><td></td><td>Dennis Bergkamp</td><td>Arsenal</td><td>PPY</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1998–99</td><td></td><td>David Ginola</td><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td>PPY</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1999–2000</td><td></td><td>Roy Keane</td><td>Manchester United</td><td>PPY</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2000–01</td><td></td><td>Teddy Sheringham</td><td>Manchester United</td><td>PPY</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2001–02</td><td></td><td>Robert Pires</td><td>Arsenal</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2002–03</td><td></td><td>Thierry Henry</td><td>Arsenal</td><td>PPY, FPY</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2003–04</td><td></td><td>Thierry Henry (2)</td><td>Arsenal</td><td>PPY, FPY, PPS</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2004–05</td><td></td><td>Frank Lampard</td><td>Chelsea</td><td>FPY, PPS</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2005–06</td><td></td><td>Thierry Henry (3)</td><td>Arsenal</td><td>PPS</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2006–07</td><td></td><td>Cristiano Ronaldo</td><td>Manchester United</td><td>PPY, FPY, YPY, PPS</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2007–08</td><td></td><td>Cristiano Ronaldo (2)</td><td>Manchester United</td><td>PPY, FPY, PPS</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2008–09</td><td></td><td>Steven Gerrard</td><td>Liverpool</td><td>FPY</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2009–10</td><td></td><td>Wayne Rooney</td><td>Manchester United</td><td>PPY, FPY, PPS</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2010–11</td><td></td><td>Scott Parker</td><td>West Ham United</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2011–12</td><td></td><td>Robin van Persie</td><td>Arsenal</td><td>PPY, FPY</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2012–13</td><td></td><td>Gareth Bale</td><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td>PPY, YPY, PPS</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2013–14</td><td></td><td>Luis Suárez</td><td>Liverpool</td><td>PPY, FPY, PPS, FSA</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2014–15</td><td></td><td>Eden Hazard</td><td>Chelsea</td><td>PPY, PPS</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2015–16</td><td></td><td>Jamie Vardy</td><td>Leicester City</td><td>PPS</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2016–17</td><td></td><td>N'Golo Kanté</td><td>Chelsea</td><td>PPY, PPS</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2017–18</td><td></td><td>Mohamed Salah</td><td>Liverpool</td><td>PPY, FPY, PPS, FSA</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2018–19</td><td></td><td>Raheem Sterling</td><td>Manchester City</td><td>YPY</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2019–20</td><td></td><td>Jordan Henderson</td><td>Liverpool</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2020–21</td><td></td><td>Rúben Dias</td><td>Manchester City</td><td>PPS</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2021–22</td><td></td><td>Mohamed Salah (2)</td><td>Liverpool</td><td>PPY, FPY</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2022–23</td><td></td><td>Erling Haaland</td><td>Manchester City</td><td>PPY, PPS, PYPS</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2023–24</td><td></td><td>Phil Foden</td><td>Manchester City</td><td>PPY, PPS</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2024–25</td><td></td><td>Mohamed Salah (3)</td><td>Liverpool</td><td>PPY, PPS</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>
Breakdown of winners
By country
The trophy awarded to the Footballer of the Year from 2015 onwards
<table><thead><tr><th>Country</th><th>Number of wins</th><th>Winning years</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>England</td><td>39</td><td>1947–48, 1949–50, 1950–51, 1951–52, 1952–53, 1953–54, 1954–55, 1956–57, 1958–59, 1959–60, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1965–66, 1966–67, 1968–69‡, 1971–72, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1989–90, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 2000–01, 2004–05, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2015–16, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2023-24</td></tr><tr><td>Scotland</td><td>9</td><td>1964–65, 1968–69‡, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1982–83, 1988–89, 1990–91</td></tr><tr><td>France</td><td>7</td><td>1995–96, 1998–99, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2005–06, 2016–17</td></tr><tr><td>Northern Ireland</td><td>4</td><td>1957–58, 1960–61, 1967–68, 1972–73</td></tr><tr><td>Netherlands</td><td>3</td><td>1980–81, 1997–98, 2011–12</td></tr><tr><td>Wales</td><td>3</td><td>1983–84, 1984–85, 2012–13</td></tr><tr><td>Portugal</td><td>3</td><td>2006–07, 2007–08, 2020–21</td></tr><tr><td>Egypt</td><td>3</td><td>2017–18, 2021–22, 2024–25</td></tr><tr><td>West Germany / Germany</td><td>2</td><td>1955–56, 1994–95</td></tr><tr><td>Republic of Ireland</td><td>2</td><td>1948–49, 1999–2000</td></tr><tr><td>Italy</td><td>1</td><td>1996–97</td></tr><tr><td>Uruguay</td><td>1</td><td>2013–14</td></tr><tr><td>Belgium</td><td>1</td><td>2014–15</td></tr><tr><td>Norway</td><td>1</td><td>2022–23</td></tr></tbody></table>
Winners by club
<table><thead><tr><th>Club</th><th>Number of wins</th><th>Winning years</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Liverpool</td><td>16</td><td>1973–74, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1982–83, 1983–84, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90, 2008–09, 2013–14, 2017–18, 2019–20, 2021–22, 2024–25</td></tr><tr><td>Tottenham Hotspur</td><td>9</td><td>1957–58, 1960–61, 1972–73, 1981–82, 1986–87, 1991–92, 1994–95, 1998–99, 2012–13</td></tr><tr><td>Manchester United</td><td>9</td><td>1948–49, 1965–66, 1967–68, 1995–96, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2009–10</td></tr><tr><td>Arsenal</td><td>8</td><td>1949–50, 1970–71, 1997–98, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2005–06, 2011–12</td></tr><tr><td>Manchester City</td><td>7</td><td>1954–55, 1955–56, 1968–69‡, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2022–23, 2023-24</td></tr><tr><td>Leeds United</td><td>4</td><td>1964–65, 1966–67, 1969–70, 1990–91</td></tr><tr><td>Chelsea</td><td>4</td><td>1996–97, 2004–05, 2014–15, 2016–17</td></tr><tr><td>Everton</td><td>2</td><td>1984–85, 1985–86</td></tr><tr><td>Stoke City</td><td>2</td><td>1962–63, 1971–72</td></tr><tr><td>Wolverhampton Wanderers</td><td>2</td><td>1951–52, 1959–60</td></tr><tr><td>Preston North End</td><td>2</td><td>1953–54, 1956–57</td></tr><tr><td>Blackpool</td><td>2</td><td>1947–48, 1950–51</td></tr><tr><td>West Ham United</td><td>2</td><td>1963–64, 2010–11</td></tr><tr><td>Leicester City</td><td>1</td><td>2015–16</td></tr><tr><td>Blackburn Rovers</td><td>1</td><td>1993–94</td></tr><tr><td>Sheffield Wednesday</td><td>1</td><td>1992–93</td></tr><tr><td>Ipswich Town</td><td>1</td><td>1980–81</td></tr><tr><td>Nottingham Forest</td><td>1</td><td>1977–78</td></tr><tr><td>Fulham</td><td>1</td><td>1974–75</td></tr><tr><td>Derby County</td><td>1</td><td>1968–69‡</td></tr><tr><td>Burnley</td><td>1</td><td>1961–62</td></tr><tr><td>Luton Town</td><td>1</td><td>1958–59</td></tr><tr><td>Bolton Wanderers</td><td>1</td><td>1952–53</td></tr></tbody></table>