West Ham United midfielder Scott Parker was named England's Footballer of the Year on Friday after one of the closest votes for years.
Parker topped the Football Writers' Association poll of journalists to win the oldest award of its type, which dates back to 1948 when Stanley Matthews was the first winner.
Parker finished ahead of Gareth Bale of Tottenham Hotspur, who was named the Professional Football Association's Player of the Year.
Parker, who has been inspirational in West Ham's fight against relegation, is the first West Ham player to win the award since Bobby Moore in 1964.
