Here is who and what TheFA.com's Joe Bernstein will remember from the 2002-2003 season...

TheFA.com's Football Awards 2002-03

Goal - Gary McAllister (Coventry City) 

Gary McAllister for Coventry City against Derby County. The hardy few who tuned into live Nationwide League football were rewarded with the best 'hit' in history. As the ball dropped down high from the night sky, SuperMac made full-blooded contact with a 35-yard volley that arced beautifully to its top corner destination. Remember Shearer's stupendous volley against Everton? This was better.

Hat-trick - Michael Owen (LIverpool)

At 23, Michael Owen has been written off more times than a veteran. He went to Maine Road on September 28 without a single goal from open play and calls for Sven to axe him. 90 minutes later, the prophets of doom were left looking idiotic as Owen twice beat Peter Schmeichel in one-against-ones on his way to a treble. Funnily enough, nobody has doubted him since.

Save - David Seaman (Arsenal) 

Only very special saves are talked about years after they were made. Banks '70, Montgomery '73, now add David Seaman 2003. There was no way Paul Peschosolido couldn't score for Sheffield United in the FA Cup Semi-Final - until Seaman defied gravity to hang in the air, stop the ball with one hand and then summon the power to push it away. Incredible.

Miss - Slizard Nemeth (Slovakia) 

Thankfully, Szilard Nemeth got his geography all wrong against England even though he plays at The Riverside. The Slovakian striker missed the target with the goal gaping in June. Had he scored England would have been 2-0 down with Euro 2004 looking a long way away.


Manager

Premiership - Gordon Strachan. (Southampton)

Look at the odds for next season - nobody thinks Southampton will be relegated. Strachan took his side into Europe by reaching their first Cup final for 27 years. What is forgotten is that his two most internationally experienced strikers, Augustin Delgado and Marion Pahars, were injured for the entire season as well.

Nationwide - Paul Jewell (Wigan)

Yes, Wigan are financially well off. But you simply can't do better than winning your division by 14 points, conceding just 25 goals in 46 games. And they beat Manchester City and Fulham on the way to the Worthington Cup quarter-finals. Give the man some credit!


One to watch - Andy Preece (Bury)

It must be hard motivating a group of players who probably think they won't have a job in the future. Preece and Bury survived the imminent collapse of the football club and to miss out on a play-off spot on goal difference was a heroic effort.



Up-and-coming English manager - Sir Bobby Robson (Newcastle Utd)

He may be 70 but the way things are going, he will be around for a lot longer than most managers half his age. His signings are keeping him fresh; Woodgate, Ambrose, Jenas - all young enough to be his grandchildren.



Quote

However he meant it, Arsene Wenger's 'boast' that Arsenal wanted to go the season unbeaten.

Claim

Gerard Houllier said that Liverpool deserved to be in the Champions League more than Chelsea.

Player - Ruud van Nistelrooy (Man Utd)

A boringly, obvious choice but it doesn't make it wrong. Without Ruud, Arsenal would have been champions. He was the one individual who determined the biggest prize in English football after he scored 44 goals of all shapes and sizes. And don't forget his Champions League performances against Real Madrid, he never looked out of place competing against the best in the world.

Nationwide - Brian Deane (Leicester City)

Financial restraints prevented Leicester City from buying or signing players on loan. But they didn't need to with Deane around - not only scoring goals but also providing the knowhow and enthusiasm to inspire those around him. Leicester could have been a miserable place last season, instead they celebrated a return to the Premiership.

One to watch - Wayne Rooney (Everton)

It's only fair he wins this category - after all he is still only 17. He is already mega-famous but all football fans will watch him next season because there are some incredible things to come. A player who literally gets people out of their seats with what he can do on the football field.


European - Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

In the last 12 months, this guy has won the World Cup, been voted World Player of the Year, scored 20 La Liga goals in his first full season's action since 1998 and earned a standing ovation from Manchester United supporters for his hat-trick against them at Old Trafford - surely the only player universally respected and admired like that.

Goalkeeper - Brad Friedel (Blackburn)

No way would Blackburn have finished sixth if it weren't for the American. He just does the impossible every week.






Buy - Jay-Jay Okocha (Bolton)

With Rooney and Thierry Henry, the most exciting player in the Premiership. Scored outstanding goals, but also conducted matches with his vision and touch. Most importantly, he made the game fun for Bolton and that eased tension for the relegation run-in. Not a bad contribution for a free transfer!

Most improved - Matthew Upson (Birmingham City)

Of course we don't know how good he was last season because he never got a game. However, Arsene Wenger didn't think he was good enough for the Premiership - suddenly he is a Birmingham hero and England player. Amazing transformation.

More to come - Shola Ameobi (Newcastle Utd)

The Newcastle striker is getting better with every month. He has got quicker, stronger and more prolific in front of goal in the last year. Has scored regularly for England under-21s and if he continues this rate of improvement, club and country have one helluva prospect on their hands.


Mistake - Sir Alex Ferguson (Man Utd)

Controversial one this, but surely, deep down, the Manchester United boss, must wonder what would have happened against Real Madrid if he had picked David Beckham to start instead of Juan Sebastian Veron. The contest was over by the time Becks came on, but his two late goals left a strong whiff of 'what might have been'.

Bargain - Robbie Savage (Birmingham City)

Cost £2.5million from Leicester and named Birmingham player of the season as they stayed in the Premiership, worth £15million. You can do the maths.




Newcomer - Wayne Rooney (Everton)

Has already created more excitement that many strikers manage in their entire careers. His last-minute winner against Arsenal, the run which left Ivan Campo on his backside, the outpacing of Leeds and Blackburn, that performance for England against Turkey. Surely there is no other candidate.


Unsung Hero - Phillip Neville (Man Utd)

Never a Man United first-choice, he still managed 43 games for the club and famously tamed Patrick Vieira. He has played in the last three England internationals to show that Sven appreciates him.



Team - Newcastle United

Nobody expected them to improve on their fourth-place of the previous season, but Sir Bobby's team not only mounted a title challenge but also reached the last 16 of the Champions League with that thrilling victory against Feyenoord. With the likes of Bellamy, Woodgate and Dyer around, many will see them as the best hopes of breaking the Man Utd-Arsenal duopoly.

Game - Porto 3 Celtic 2 

It is rare that cup finals live up to the hype (see 2003 Champions League final) but this one did on a sweltering, passionate night in Seville. The 60,000 Celtic fans who 'invaded' southern Spain in such a friendly manner twice saw Henrik Larsson equalise. But the dismissal of Balde in extra-time was one bridge too far for the tired Celtic legs.

Performance - Arsenal (v Leeds )

Arsenal played fantasy football in their 4-1 win at Leeds United in September, equalling a league record of scoring in 46 consecutive games. Kanu scored twice on a day everything went right for The Gunners .

Celebration - Jay-Jay Okocha (Bolton) 

Legs wide apart, then quickly change feet and back again. The way Jay-Jay Okocha and Sam Allardyce celebrated Bolton's escape from relegation was priceless.

Most memorable moment - Man Utd fans 

A bit sentimental perhaps, but the way Manchester United fans applauded Ronaldo at Old Trafford was awesome. Even in the middle of a red-hot contest that meant so much to both teams, those fans remembered the No1 rule of football - it is there to be enjoyed.



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