Frank Lampard is the Official England Player of the Year 2004.
Thursday, 20 January 2005.
Frank Lampard has today been crowned the Official England Player of the Year 2004.
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For the last month on TheFA.com, England fans have been voting in their thousands to have their say on which England star lifts the award.
The Chelsea midfielder has been the number one contender from the off, and finally romped home to a convincing win with 40% of all votes cast.
"This award means a lot to me," said Frank on being told the news this afternoon.
"I was surprised to hear I was in the lead because I was up against the likes of Wayne Rooney, but to win is great.
"It’s an honour to have fans up and down the country think that highly of me."
Indeed, across the whole world, Frank, with votes coming in from as far a field as Japan, Brazil and Singapore. And rightly so if statistics are anything to go by. At the beginning of 2004, Frank was not a certain starter for Sven's men. However, his form, not only internationally but domestically, too, has seen him earn 13 caps, scoring six goals in the process and becoming a fans' favourite.
At Euro 2004, he forged a strong partnership with Steven Gerrard in the centre of midfield from where he found the net against France, Croatia and Portugal. And in the World Cup qualifiers, he's carried on his striking exploits with goals away in Austria and against Wales at Old Trafford.
Though he didn't cast a vote himself, England Head Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson praised Frank for his achievement: "Congratulations to Frank, he's been playing brilliantly for England for a very long time.
He's played nearly all the games for Chelsea for over two years, and he is getting better and better.
"He defends well, he's a good tackler," added Sven.
He's good on the ball, passes well and scores goals. You can't ask for much more from a midfielder. He deserves it."
Frank will be presented with the award by one lucky voter, to be selected at random on Friday, when England take on Holland at Villa Park on Wednesday 9 February. He's the second man to win the honour after David Beckham a year ago, but will be the first to be handed the newly-designed trophy, which will be unveiled on the day of the game.
The Final Standings - Top Five
| Posn. |
Player |
| 1. |
FRANK LAMPARD - 40%
England Player of the Year 2004 |
| 2. |
Wayne Rooney - 16% |
| 3. |
Steven Gerrard - 9.8% |
| 4. |
Ashley Cole - 9.4% |
| 5. |
Shaun Wright-Phillips - 7% | |
|