FWA Footballer of the Year

FWA Footballer of the Year
Bruno Fernandes won the award in 2026.
SportAssociation football
CompetitionAll levels of English football
CountryEngland and Wales
Presented byFWA
History
First award1947–48
Editions77
First winnerEngland Stanley Matthews
Most winsEgypt Mohamed Salah
France Thierry Henry (3 awards each)
Most recentPortugal Bruno Fernandes
Websitefootballwriters.co.uk/awards

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 2025–26 is Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United. 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

The award has been presented on 78 occasions as of 2026, to 69 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:

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.
Winners of the FWA Footballer of the Year
Year Nat. PlayerClubAlso wonNotes
1947–48EnglandStanley MatthewsBlackpool
1948–49Republic of IrelandJohnny CareyManchester United
1949–50EnglandJoe MercerArsenal
1950–51EnglandHarry JohnstonBlackpool
1951–52EnglandBilly WrightWolverhampton Wanderers
1952–53EnglandNat LofthouseBolton Wanderers
1953–54EnglandTom FinneyPreston North End
1954–55EnglandDon RevieManchester City
1955–56West GermanyBert TrautmannManchester City

1956–57EnglandTom Finney (2)Preston North End
1957–58Northern IrelandDanny BlanchflowerTottenham Hotspur
1958–59EnglandSyd OwenLuton Town
1959–60EnglandBill SlaterWolverhampton Wanderers
1960–61Northern IrelandDanny Blanchflower (2)Tottenham Hotspur
1961–62EnglandJimmy AdamsonBurnley
1962–63EnglandStanley Matthews (2)Stoke City
1963–64EnglandBobby MooreWest Ham United
1964–65ScotlandBobby CollinsLeeds United
1965–66EnglandBobby CharltonManchester United
1966–67EnglandJack CharltonLeeds United
1967–68Northern IrelandGeorge BestManchester United
1968–69England
Scotland		Tony Book
Dave Mackay		Manchester City
Derby County
1969–70ScotlandBilly BremnerLeeds United
1970–71ScotlandFrank McLintockArsenal
1971–72EnglandGordon BanksStoke City
1972–73Northern IrelandPat JenningsTottenham Hotspur
1973–74EnglandIan CallaghanLiverpool
1974–75EnglandAlan MulleryFulham
1975–76EnglandKevin KeeganLiverpool
1976–77EnglandEmlyn HughesLiverpool
1977–78ScotlandKenny BurnsNottingham Forest
1978–79ScotlandKenny DalglishLiverpool
1979–80EnglandTerry McDermottLiverpoolPPY
1980–81NetherlandsFrans ThijssenIpswich Town
1981–82EnglandSteve PerrymanTottenham Hotspur
1982–83ScotlandKenny Dalglish (2)LiverpoolPPY
1983–84WalesIan RushLiverpoolPPY
1984–85WalesNeville SouthallEverton
1985–86EnglandGary LinekerEvertonPPY
1986–87EnglandClive AllenTottenham HotspurPPY
1987–88EnglandJohn BarnesLiverpoolPPY
1988–89ScotlandSteve NicolLiverpool
1989–90EnglandJohn Barnes (2)Liverpool
1990–91ScotlandGordon StrachanLeeds United
1991–92EnglandGary Lineker (2)Tottenham Hotspur
1992–93EnglandChris WaddleSheffield Wednesday
1993–94EnglandAlan ShearerBlackburn Rovers
1994–95GermanyJürgen KlinsmannTottenham Hotspur
1995–96FranceEric CantonaManchester United
1996–97ItalyGianfranco ZolaChelsea
1997–98NetherlandsDennis BergkampArsenalPPY
1998–99FranceDavid GinolaTottenham HotspurPPY
1999–2000Republic of IrelandRoy KeaneManchester UnitedPPY
2000–01EnglandTeddy SheringhamManchester UnitedPPY
2001–02FranceRobert PiresArsenal
2002–03FranceThierry HenryArsenalPPY, FPY
2003–04FranceThierry Henry (2)ArsenalPPY, FPY, PPS
2004–05EnglandFrank LampardChelseaFPY, PPS
2005–06FranceThierry Henry (3)ArsenalPPS
2006–07PortugalCristiano RonaldoManchester UnitedPPY, FPY, YPY, PPS
2007–08PortugalCristiano Ronaldo (2)Manchester UnitedPPY, FPY, PPS
2008–09EnglandSteven GerrardLiverpoolFPY
2009–10EnglandWayne RooneyManchester UnitedPPY, FPY, PPS
2010–11EnglandScott ParkerWest Ham United
2011–12NetherlandsRobin van PersieArsenalPPY, FPY
2012–13WalesGareth BaleTottenham HotspurPPY, YPY, PPS
2013–14UruguayLuis SuárezLiverpoolPPY, FPY, PPS, FSA
2014–15BelgiumEden HazardChelseaPPY, PPS
2015–16EnglandJamie VardyLeicester CityPPS
2016–17FranceN'Golo KantéChelseaPPY, PPS
2017–18EgyptMohamed SalahLiverpoolPPY, FPY, PPS, FSA
2018–19EnglandRaheem SterlingManchester CityYPY
2019–20EnglandJordan HendersonLiverpool
2020–21PortugalRúben DiasManchester CityPPS
2021–22EgyptMohamed Salah (2)LiverpoolPPY, FPY
2022–23NorwayErling HaalandManchester CityPPY, PPS, PYPS
2023–24EnglandPhil FodenManchester CityPPY, PPS
2024–25EgyptMohamed Salah (3)LiverpoolPPY, PPS
2025–26 Portugal Bruno Fernandes Manchester United PPY, PPS

Breakdown of winners

By country

The trophy awarded to the Footballer of the Year from 2015 onwards
Winners of the FWA Footballer of the Year by country
CountryNumber of winsWinning years
England England
39
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
Scotland Scotland
9
1964–65, 1968–69‡, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1982–83, 1988–89, 1990–91
France France
7
1995–96, 1998–99, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2005–06, 2016–17
Northern Ireland Northern Ireland
4
1957–58, 1960–61, 1967–68, 1972–73
Portugal Portugal
4
 2006–07, 2007–08, 2020–21, 2025–26
Netherlands Netherlands
3
1980–81, 1997–98, 2011–12
Wales Wales
3
1983–84, 1984–85, 2012–13
Egypt Egypt
3
2017–18, 2021–22, 2024–25
Republic of Ireland Republic of Ireland
2
1948–49, 1999–2000
Germany West Germany / Germany
2
1955–56, 1994–95
Italy Italy
1
1996–97
Uruguay Uruguay
1
2013–14
Belgium Belgium
1
2014–15
Norway Norway
1
2022–23

‡ — two winners

Winners by club

Winners of the FWA Footballer of the Year by club
ClubNumber of winsWinning years
Liverpool
16
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
Manchester United
10
 1948–49, 1965–66, 1967–68, 1995–96, 1999–00, 2000–01, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2025–26
Tottenham Hotspur
9
1957–58, 1960–61, 1972–73, 1981–82, 1986–87, 1991–92, 1994–95, 1998–99, 2012–13
Arsenal
8
1949–50, 1970–71, 1997–98, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2005–06, 2011–12
Manchester City
7
1954–55, 1955–56, 1968–69‡, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2022–23, 2023-24
Leeds United
4
1964–65, 1966–67, 1969–70, 1990–91
Chelsea
4
1996–97, 2004–05, 2014–15, 2016–17
Everton
2
1984–85, 1985–86
Stoke City
2
1962–63, 1971–72
Wolverhampton Wanderers
2
1951–52, 1959–60
Preston North End
2
1953–54, 1956–57
Blackpool
2
1947–48, 1950–51
West Ham United
2
1963–64, 2010–11
Leicester City
1
2015–16
Blackburn Rovers
1
1993–94
Sheffield Wednesday
1
1992–93
Ipswich Town
1
1980–81
Nottingham Forest
1
1977–78
Fulham
1
1974–75
Derby County
1
1968–69‡
Burnley
1
1961–62
Luton Town
1
1958–59
Bolton Wanderers
1
1952–53

See also

References

  1. ↑ "England Player Honours – Football Writers' Association Footballers of the Year". England Football Online. 19 June 2007. Archived from the original on 7 August 2011. Retrieved 17 March 2008.
  2. ↑ "About the FWA". Football Writers' Association. Archived from the original on 8 April 2012. Retrieved 18 March 2008.
  3. ↑ "FWA Footballer of the Year Award". Football Writers' Association. Archived from the original on 19 September 2008. Retrieved 18 March 2008.
  4. ↑ "England – Players Awards". RSSSF. 4 October 2007. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2008.
  5. ↑ "Only here for the peers". BBC Sport. 20 April 2001. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2008.
  6. 1 2 "Gerrard named player of the year". BBC Sport. 23 April 2006. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2008.
  7. 1 2 "Ronaldo secures PFA awards double". BBC Sport. 22 April 2007. Archived from the original on 14 April 2008. Retrieved 14 March 2008.
  8. ↑ "PFA's Official Fan's Player of the Year: Previous Winners". The Professional Footballers' Association. Archived from the original on 20 February 2008. Retrieved 14 March 2008.
  9. ↑ Frank Keogh (20 April 2001). "Too much too young?". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 9 July 2003. Retrieved 17 March 2008.
  10. 1 2 "Premier League Awards, All Time Awards". Premier League.com. Archived from the original on 29 July 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  11. 1 2 "Luis Suárez wins Football Writers' Association Player of the Year award". The Guardian. 5 May 2014. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  12. ↑ "Winners: FSF Awards in association with William Hill". Football Supporters' Association. 17 December 2013. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  13. ↑ First winner of the award from outside the United Kingdom.
  14. ↑ First Goalkeeper and first player from outside the British Isles to win the award.
  15. ↑ First player to win the award twice.
  16. ↑ First player to win the award with two clubs.
  17. ↑ Also won the PFA Players' Player of the Year award in 1976 to become the first player to win both awards.
  18. ↑ First player to win both PFA and FWA awards in the same season.
  19. ↑ First player to win the award in two consecutive seasons.
  20. ↑ "Lampard scoops award from writers". BBC Sport. 6 May 2005. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
  21. ↑ First player to win the award three times.
  22. ↑ First player to win five awards in the same season.
  23. ↑ "Steven Gerrard wins Footballer of the Year award". The Times. London. 13 May 2009. Archived from the original on 16 May 2009. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
  24. ↑ "Wayne Rooney nets writers' player of the year award". BBC Sport. 30 April 2010. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  25. ↑ "West Ham's Scott Parker wins Football Writers' award". BBC Sport. 22 April 2011. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  26. ↑ "Arsenal's Robin van Persie named FWA Footballer of the Year". BBC Sport. 24 April 2012. Archived from the original on 8 January 2016. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  27. ↑ "Bale named FWA Footballer of the Year". Football Writers' Association. 2 May 2013. Archived from the original on 4 May 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  28. ↑ "Eden Hazard wins Football Writers' Association Player of the Year award". Sky Sports. 12 May 2015. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  29. ↑ "Jamie Vardy named Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year 2015/16". Sky Sports. 2 May 2016. Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
  30. ↑ "N'Golo Kante wins Football Writers' Association award". BBC Sport. 8 May 2017. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
  31. ↑ "Mohamed Salah named writers' Footballer of the Year". BBC Sport. 1 May 2018. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  32. ↑ "Virgil van Dijk and Vivianne Miedema win PFA Player of the Year awards". BBC Sport. 29 April 2019. Archived from the original on 26 May 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
  33. ↑ "Jordan Henderson wins football writers' award". Daily Mirror. 24 July 2020. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  34. ↑ "Ruben Dias: Manchester City Defender named FWA Footballer of the Year". Sky Sports. 20 May 2021. Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  35. ↑ "Mohamed Salah named Football Writers' Association Men's Footballer of the Year for 2021/22". Sky Sports. 29 April 2022. Archived from the original on 29 April 2022. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  36. ↑ "Erling Haaland named Football Writers' Association Men's Footballer of the Year for 2022/23 | Chelsea's Sam Kerr wins Women's award". Sky Sports. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  37. ↑ "Phil Foden named Football Writers' Association Men's Footballer of the Year for 2023/24 |". Sky Sports. 3 May 2024. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  38. ↑ "FWA Footballer of the Year 2024/25: Mohamed Salah wins top men's gong as Alessia Russo claims women's award". Sky Sports. 9 May 2025. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
  39. ↑ Stone, Simon (8 May 2026). "Bruno Fernandes: Man Utd and Portugal midfielder wins Football Writers' Association men's Footballer of the Year award". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 May 2026.