England Women's captain Casey Stoney has selected Joe Hart as her Player of the Year
England Women’s captain Casey Stoney has plumped for Joe Hart as her Player of the Year.
The 25-year-old goalkeeper has had an impressive year for both club and country, helping Manchester City to their first League title in 44 years and keeping five clean sheets in eleven internationals.
Hart kept out 88 per cent of the shots he faced at Euro 2012, a figure beaten only by Spain captain Iker Casillas (94 per cent). He also made a competition-high 22 saves in Poland & Ukraine.
And Stoney, who is in the running for the Women’s Player of the Year, believes the Shrewsbury-born stopper will be around for the foreseeable future.
She said: “For a young goalkeeper he’s got such a mature head on his shoulders.
“He has stepped into the frame and done a great job.
“I think he has had a really good year and he’s got a great career in front of him.
“If he can stay fit it looks like he’ll be England’s No.1 for a very long time.”
Joe Hart, along with Ashley Cole, Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson and Danny Welbeck are all in the hunt this year and it's up to you which star will claim the 2012 England Player of the Year award at the inaugural FA England Awards in association with Vauxhall at St. George's Park on Sunday 3 February 2013.
Place your vote in the poll below before the closing date of 13 January 2013. You can also vote for the England Men's Under-21s and Women's Senior Players of the Year, too.