Wayne Rooney Wins FWA Footballer Of The Year

Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney was the overwhelming winner of England's Football Writers Association Player of the Year, earning over 80% of the vote to gain his first FWA award.

Rooney finished well ahead of Chelsea's Didier Drogba and Manchester City's Carlos Tévez.

FWA chairman Steve Bates offered the following, in a statement released on the association's web site:

Wayne is a worthy winner of our prestigous award and the margin of his victory is testimony to the marvelous season he has had for club and country.

His tally of 34 goals so far this season is certain to have captured the attention of our members but I am sure the overall improvement in his game at Manchester United has been of equal significance.

Wayne's enthusiasm, hunger and desire mark him out as a special player and we hope he can carry his club form onto the international stage in the World Cup this summer and help England achieve their dream.

Last week, Rooney had won the equivalent award from the Professional Footballers Association, succeeding teammate Ryan Giggs. With the FWA award, Rooney follows Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, who succeed Rooney's former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, who won the award in 2006-07 and 2007-08.

Also through the FWA, Rooney had the following to say about his honor:

I am delighted to win an award with so much history and tradition and to follow a long line of wonderful players who have been honoured by the FWA since 1948 gives me real pride.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my manager at United Sir Alex Ferguson,the coaching staff and my team mates without whose help and support this award would not have been possible.

Also a big thanks to my family and friends for their constant support which is always appreciated.

In 42 all-competition appearances, Rooney has 34 goals, 26 of which have come in his 30 English Premier League matches. His previous career best in league goals came in 2005-06, when he scored 16 in 36 appearances. His all-competition goal total bests his mark of 23 (in 55 matches) set in 2006-07.