Pele will be guest of honour at the inaugural FA England Awards on Sunday 3 February.
The three-time World Cup winner will present the England Men’s Player of the Year trophy at St. George’s Park just three days before Brazil take on Roy Hodgson’s men in a prestigious fixture at Wembley.
Sponsored by Vauxhall, the England Awards will be one of the key highlights of The FA’s 150th anniversary year, the launch of which takes place at the Grand Connaught Rooms on Wednesday.
Men’s, women’s and disability players from all Club England’s 24 teams will be recognised next month with a series of awards putting all national development teams in the spotlight.
There will also be a special lifetime achievement award and England fans will decide the high-profile Player of the Year categories.
The eleven categories are:
- Senior Men’s Player of the Year (voted for by the public via TheFA.com)
- Senior Women’s Player of the Year (voted for the public via TheFA.com)
- England Men’s Under-21 Player of the Year (voted for by the public via TheFA.com)
- England Women’s Under-23 Player of the Year
- England Men’s Youth Player of the Year
- England Women’s Youth Player of the Year
- Disability Player of the Year
- Club England Team of the Year
- England National Game Player of the Year
- FA Chairman David Bernstein will choose and present the Lifetime Achievement Award
Club England Managing Director Adrian Bevington said: “With the opening of St. George’s Park, The FA England Awards will help to promote the excellent work being put in by players and coaches at all levels of the national-team set-up.
“Playing for England is the pinnacle for all involved in football and it will be great to have opportunity to celebrate this achievement at our new national football centre.
“The fact our fans can have a say, with some invited to the actual event, is very fitting.”
Previously, England fans have voted for the England Player of the Year Award via www.TheFA.com and past winners are:
- 2003 David Beckham
- 2004 Frank Lampard
- 2005 Frank Lampard
- 2006 Owen Hargreaves
- 2007 Steven Gerrard
- 2008 Wayne Rooney
- 2009 Wayne Rooney
- 2010 Ashley Cole
- 2011 Scott Parker
The FA150 anniversary calendar will feature a stellar line-up of events, including:
- England international matches against Brazil, Scotland and Republic of Ireland, plus a tour of Brazil
- FA England Awards at St. George’s Park on 3 February
- UEFA Congress and men’s and women’s UEFA Champions League Finals in May
- 20 years of women’s football and UEFA Women’s Euro 2013 in July
- National Football Day on 10 August
- Royal reception for 150 unsung grassroots heroes
- FA Gala Dinner at the Grand Connaught Rooms on 26 October
* FA150 – supporting football since 1863.
