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Football Writers' Association
FOOTBALLER of the YEAR

On 22nd September 1947 a group of British football journalists returning  on a cross-channel ferry from a Belgium v England fixture the previous day, decided to form a Football Writers' Association. Three of their number - Charles Buchan (News Chronicle), Frank Coles (Daily Telegraph) and Roy Peskett (Daily Mail) were asked to draft rules and a month later, at a meeting at a Euston hotel, Ivan Sharpe of the Sunday Chronicle became the first Chairman.

At that meeting Roy Peskett proposed that an annual award be given 'to the player, who by precept and example on and off the field, shall have been considered to have done most for football during that season.' The idea was accepted and the award has been given annually since then, after a vote by members of the FWA. The first winner was Stanley Matthews and in memory of that great player it is the Sir Stanley Matthews Trophy that is now awarded to the winner each season.

The Professional Footballers Association introduced their own Player of the Year awards in 1974.

1948

Stanley Matthews (Blackpool)

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