England striker Kelly Smith admits she was thrilled to win the Nationwide England Women's Player of the Year award.

Smith won the award, voted for by England fans on TheFA.com, and said she ranks it alongside some of the biggest prizes she has won during her career.

Smith has enjoyed an amazing career for both club and country and is regarded as one of the best female strikers in the world. 

The Arsenal forward played a major role in helping the north London club win the quadruple two-years ago and was back to her best last season as she saw the Gunners land the double by winning the league and the FA Cup.

After starring for England at the World Cup last year, Smith believes she can become even better over the next few years and is delighted that supporters have recognised her talents.

Smith, who was speaking at a sponsoredbyyou.com coaching visit organised by England Team Sponsors Nationwide Building Society, said, "It is a great honour and up there with some of the big trophies I have won.

"To be voted by the fans on TheFA.com for my performances last season is a very proud achievement for me.

"I have come a long way playing from the age of six to where I am now and still going strong. I have 70 caps for England and I'm still going strong. I still feel I have got a good couple of years left in me.

"When I was younger I always had a dream of playing for England and that was always my goal.

"For any young girls aspiring to do the same, they should train as hard as possible and need to be touching the ball every day and working on their skills."

Despite winning the double, Smith is disappointed that Arsenal failed to win the UEFA Cup again last season.

But the prolific forward is pleased that other teams are starting to close the gap on Arsenal and hopes it will make the women's game more exciting to watch.

Smith said, "We got knocked out of the UEFA Cup in the quarter-final stage which was disappointing. Maybe we went into the game a bit naive thinking we would probably win it, but it wasn't meant to be for us.

"That was mentally draining knowing we were not in the best competition. I think other teams are starting to work us out and we lost the League Cup Final to Everton.

"It is good for the women's game and I don't like the fact that Arsenal keep winning everything because it then becomes a bit boring and mundane.

"But people are now looking at the women's game and feel there are other teams challenging than just Arsenal which is what we want because we don't want it to be a walkover all the time."