By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me on Twitter @skysportspeteo
Friday 22 April 2011 08:55, UK
Image:Parker: Choice of Football Writers
West Ham midfielder Scott Parker has been voted 2011 Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers Association.
Hammers star pips Bale to FWA prize
West Ham midfielder Scott Parker has been voted 2011 Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers Association.
The England international topped the poll of journalists ahead of Tottenham defender Gareth Bale, who scooped the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year last week.
Parker will be presented his award at a gala dinner at the Lancaster London Hotel on 12th May.
The 30-year-old has enjoyed a stellar season for West Ham despite their struggles at the wrong end of the table.
The former Newcastle and Chelsea star's form this season has seen him earn an England recall from Fabio Capello.
FWA chairman Steve Bates, chief football writer at The People said: "Scott Parker has been so consistent in a West Ham team battling for Premier League survival and as such has forced himself back into the England national set-up.
"He has been an inspirational figure for the Irons and hopefully his professionalism will be rewarded with West Ham staying up.
"In what was one of the tightest votes of recent seasons, Scott is certainly a worthy winner and follows in the footsteps of a long line of superb footballers who have been given this prestigious honour."
