West Ham midfielder Scott Parker named Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year

Scott Parker, West Ham (Getty Images)

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West Ham midfielder Scott Parker has been named the 2011 Football Writer’s player of the year, and becomes the first Hammer to recieve the prestigious award since Sir Bobby Moore.

The former Charlton Athletic, Chelsea and Newcastle man has impressed this season with a string of fine performances for his embattled club, who have been in a relegation struggle throughout the year.

Parker has made 37 appearances so far this season in total, although he did sit out last Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Aston Villa with an Achilles problem, and has scored five goals in the Premier League and two in the League Cup.

The 30-year-old came in for special praise in February of this year following a rousing 3-3 draw against West Brom at the Hawthorns which saw his side comeback from three goals down at half-time to earn a point.

Following the game, team-mate Carlton Cole credited the performance to an inspirational half-time speech from Parker, which the striker claimed: “If you were there you would have had a tear in your eyes.”

Parker’s fine form has already seen him duly rewarded with a place in the England squad, with the midfielder putting in a performance roundly applauded in the 2-0 victory against Wales in the Euro 2012 qualifier in March, and he was nominated for the PFA Player of the Year, which was awarded to Tottenham’s Gareth Bale.