POTY: Wayne Rooney
Saturday, 16 January, 2010
In 2009, the frontman captained his country for the first time.
Become a FAN of England on Facebook -
click here
Nationwide
England Player of the Year 2009 candidates Wayne Rooney
Age 24
Date of Birth 24.10.85
Career caps 57
Career goals 25
2009 caps 9
2009 goals 6
Manchester United
The reigning England Player of the Year, Wayne Rooney experienced another enjoyable 12 months adorning the Three Lions crest, scoring six goals in nine matches, and he ended 2009 by captaining his country for the very first time.
At domestic level, Rooney was an integral member of the Manchester United team that lifted the Premier League title, the League Cup and reached the UEFA Champions League Final in Rome but he also had some memorable moments with England, not least helping fire his country to the World Cup in South Africa.
His first appearance of the year came against Slovakia, and after missing the Spain game through injury, Rooney certainly set about making up for lost time, scoring twice in England’s 4-0 victory at Wembley. His first came after Gareth Barry’s delightful crossfield ball found David Beckham in space and Beckham then set up Rooney to guide the ball beyond Stefan Senecky in the Slovakia goal. Rooney’s second, and England’s fourth, came in added time after being found by Frank Lampard.
The 24-year-old was also on target against Kazakhstan in June, hooking home England’s third goal of the game after his initial effort was saved, following Glen Johnson’s deep cross. Rooney’s purple patch continued four days later when he notched another brace, this time against Andorra, with Johnson again prominent in the creation of the goals.
After just four minutes Rooney bagged his seventh goal in nine internationals when he headed home Johnson’s centre to give England the lead and in the 39th minute he put Fabio Capello’s side firmly in the driving seat, diverting another Johnson cross with a cute flick of the boot.
His final England goal of the year came in the 5-1 dismissal of Croatia at Wembley Stadium which sealed World Cup qualification, but it was to be in his next international that he would receive a footballer’s ultimate honour; in the absence of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, Capello handed Rooney the captain’s armband against Brazil in Doha and although England went on to lose the game 1-0, it will be an achievement that will no doubt live long in Rooney’s memory.
"To be honest I never really dreamed of this,” Rooney said of his appointment. “I've always dreamed of playing for England, but never of being captain. It's probably happened quicker than I ever thought it would, but I'm delighted."
You can vote for Wayne Rooney as your 'Nationwide England Player of the Year' on the poll on the right. You'll need a FAN, but you can sign up for a free one by clicking the FAN button at the top of the page and you'll then be able to take part in this and future polls and competitions...
If you vote for the eventual winner, you could win a signed England shirt and two tickets to see England against Egypt. Two lucky runners-up will also receive a pair of tickets to the World Cup warm-up on 3 March.
So get voting, and don't forget you can join the debate by becoming a
Fan of England on Facebook.
Former winners of the award include Frank Lampard who won it in 2004 and 2005, Owen Hargreaves earned the prize for his performances in 2006, and Steven Gerrard completed a midfield clean sweep with the award in 2007. Wayne Rooney is the current holder having been voted Player of the Year for 2008.
Prize Draw Competitions
Terms and ConditionsThe full list of players who played during 2009 -
click here