Every day this week we are asking our contributors here at TheFA.com to make their personal awards for the season just gone. Here is who and what TheFA.com's Andrin Cooper will remember from the 2002-2003 season... 

TheFA.com's Football Awards - 2002/03

Goal - Alan Shearer (Newcastle v Everton)

 

Not a particularly original choice, but for pure jaw-dropping shock-value it has to be Alan Shearer's wonder volley against Everton. Having seen it countless times its raw power still amazes. A classic goal by a great goalscorer still enjoying his football as much as ever.

 

Hat-trick - Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

 

One of the most entertaining matches in recent years, when defending was strictly optional and featuring all sorts of sub-plots (most of them Beckham-related), Manchester United - Real Madrid made for compelling viewing and Ronaldo's hat-trick showed he is still at the peak of his powers.

 


Save - David James (England)

 

David James's acrobatic save from Turkish striker Nihat's header at Sunderland's Stadium of Light could prove crucial for our Euro 2004 qualification hopes. His athleticism is second to none and he showed it here.

 


Miss - Ryan Giggs (Man Utd)

Ryan Giggs's blast over an empty goal against Arsenal summed up a miserable FA Cup afternoon for Manchester United. That such a costly miss came after a trademark slaloming run was particularly cruel.

 

 

Managers

Premiership - Gordon Strachan (Southampton)
 

Gordon Strachan. He has built an incredibly fit and motivated team that plays for each other and is improving all the time. Fully deserves a foray into Europe next season on the back of their FA Cup runners-up finish.

 

 

Football League - Dave Jones (Wolves)

Dave Jones. Few could begrudge him a return to the Premiership after what he has been through. Wolves have choked at the last hurdle in the past but not this time, and Jones deserves credit for keeping his team focused when it really mattered.

 

 

One to watch - Micky Adams (Leicester)

Not necessarily a new face, but Micky Adams steered Leicester to promotion in a season when developments off the pitch threatened to overshadow events on it. With funds limited his undoubted managerial talents will be tested to the full in the Premiership.

 

Denials - Real Madrid

As soon as Real Madrid denied any interest in David Beckham the biggest transfer of the summer (any summer?) appeared to be done-and-dusted. Sure enough, by mid-June the England captain had swapped Old Trafford for the Bernabeu.

 

 

Players

Premiership - Ruud van Nistelrooy (Man Utd)

In the end, his single-minded goal-scoring talent won the Premiership for Manchester United. An amazing climax to an extraordinary return from career-threatening injury and surely a bargain at £19 million.

 

 

 

Football League - Michael Brown (Sheff Utd)

Michael Brown's dynamic displays in the heart of the Sheffield United midfield caught the attention of fans and Premiership managers alike. Also weighed in with an impressive goal tally, including some spectacular long-range strikes.


Ones to watch

English - Darren Ambrose (Newcastle Utd)

Highly rated for his natural ability and footballing intelligence, he will only add to Newcastle's youthful attacking flavour next season. He will also be looking to cement a place in the England Under-21s set-up with David Platt among his admirers.

 

 

Non-English - Philippe Senderos

 

Reportedly the best of a highly talented generation of young Swiss players, it will be interesting to see whether he will get opportunities in Arsenal's first team in the sensitive position of central defence.

 

 

Goalkeeper - Brad Friedel (Blackburn Rovers)

 

Unbelievable heroics match after match from the American whose shot-stopping came to the attention of a global audience at the World Cup last summer. Not always elegant but always brave and effective.

 

 

Buy - Christophe Dugarry (Birmingham City)

 

Took a while to get on the scoresheet but inspired both teammates and fans right from the start with his swagger and stylish play. His international pedigree and aggression seemed to lift those around him and propel Birmingham City to safety.

 

 

Most Improved - Frank Lampard (Chelsea)

 

Frank Lampard is getting better all the time. He has become more positive in possession this season for Chelsea and Sven agrees, giving him his chance at international level. Was unlucky to have had a goal disallowed for England against Slovakia after a strong second half performance.

 

 

Bargain - Carlo Cudicini (Chelsea)

 

Not a new arrival by any means but season after season the £160,000 that Chelsea paid for Carlo Cudicini seems ludicrously good business from a club not known for its frugality. Perhaps more mistakes this season than usual but still one of the best shot-stoppers in the business.

 

 

Unsung heroes - Jay-Jay Okocha (Bolton)

 

Jay-Jay Okocha rightly received most of the plaudits for his outrageous skills and positive leadership, but the rest of the Bolton team all played their part in keeping their club up with relentlessly attacking football.

 

Team - Sheffield United

 

Neil Warnock's team showed incredible stamina to maintain a challenge on three fronts and provided entertainment and controversy in equal measure along the way.

 

 

Previous Season Reviews

Season Review - by Richard Morgan