Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling was voted Men's Footballer of the Year in the annual vote of members of the Football Writers' Association, announced on Monday. City forward Sterling has been a key member of the City team which is two wins away from defending their Premier League title and has also been a prominent voice in the campaigns against racism in the game. Nikita Parris won the FWA's Women's Footballer of the Year award - like Sterling, the 25-year-old plays for Manchester City and England. The FWA said Sterling collected 62 per cent of the vote of more than 400 members of the organisation which brings together journalists and others in the football media. Sterling had 100 votes more than Liverpool's Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk, who on Sunday was named the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Player of the Year.<doc-sep>Raheem Sterling has been crowned the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year, adding to his PFA Young Player of the Year award. Sterling finished well ahead of PFA Player of the Year Virgil van Dijk in the voting, with Manchester City team-mate Sergio Aguero coming in third. There were also votes for Bernardo Silva, David Silva, Harry Kane, Eden Hazard and Alexandre Lacazette. Nikita Parris made it a City double after being named FWA Women's Footballer of the Year after scoring 19 goals in 19 games in the Women's Super League. 1:50 We take a look at some of Sterling’s best Premier League goals this season, which helped him win the 2018-19 FWA Footballer of the Year Having scored 17 goals and assisted another 10, Sterling has played a prominent role in putting City on the verge of retaining their Premier League title for the first time, as well producing the goods in the Champions League and on the international stage for England. Off the pitch, Sterling's role has been just as important. Sterling has called out racial abuse directed at him and other players, backing harsher punishments for those found guilty of discriminatory behaviour, and has put his name to a manifesto demanding a change in how football's authorities deal with racism in the game. Sterling setting an example to all "In such a close title race, there is no surprise that two of the main protagonists are from Liverpool and Manchester City, but it is Raheem Sterling that is the resounding victor, winning by more than 100 votes - 62 per cent of the votes went to Sterling," Carrie Brown, chair of the FWA told Sky Sports News. "Sterling talked this week about looking to Steven Gerrard for leadership, to set an example, but we believe he has set an example not just for his generations, but for generations ahead of him and before him. 0:34 Sterling revealed how playing alongside Steven Gerrard at Liverpool inspired him to improve on and off the pitch, after receiving the Integrity and Impact award at the Sport Industry Awards "We did think it was going to be closer than that. We have to recognise that Virgil van Dijk has had a stunning season, we all recognise the abilities of defenders, but it is this leadership off the field that I think has tipped Raheem Sterling's vote in his favour. "I must say, when I was trying to wrote an assimilation of what he has achieved this season, you cannot underplay how far he has developed in the game." 1:08 Jason Lee and Trevor Sinclair say players should be encouraged to speak out about the problem of racism in football Cardiff defender Sol Bamba also praised Sterling's work off the pitch, while believing he deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Lionel Messi. "Sterling has the potential to be one of the greatest, even to be mentioned alongside [Messi] is already credit to him," Bamba told Sky Sports News. "Off the field, what he is doing for the community, and his generosity is very very good. The award is deserved, and he could have easily won the PFA award. "When you are high profile like him playing at the top of your game, and have so many things outside the football field to deal with, to carry on performing like he is, is massive for him and a credit to him. "He is not afraid to speak on behalf of the black players or those communities. It is not easy to come out and speak about that kind of thing, but he did it and did it in a good manner." Live MNF Why Sterling deserves to be FWA Footballer of the Year Writes Sky Sports' Adam Bate... 'The 24-year-old England international has contributed goals and assists to Manchester City's quadruple bid but his season has been about so much more. This was the year in which Sterling transcended his sport by reminding everyone that it is more than a sport. 'It would be quite wrong to call this a redemption tale because to do so would be to imply that there was any wrongdoing on Sterling's part in the first place. He was the victim of vociferous criticism and a media culture only too eager to feed the beast. Sterling's response - on the field and off it - should humble his antagonists and inspire his growing number of admirers' (Full story)<doc-sep>The England forward was a clear winner. Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling has been voted the 2019 Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association. The England international topped the poll of the 400-strong FWA membership as a clear winner, with some 62 per cent of the votes. He was more than 100 ahead of Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk. Sterling’s team-mate Sergio Aguero was in third place. The FWA Women’s Footballer of the Year award for 2019 is Manchester City’s England forward Nikita Parris, who won the vote of an FWA panel of experts by the narrowest of margins from Arsenal and Holland striker Vivianne Miedema. Other players to receive votes from FWA members were, in alphabetical order: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal), Bernardo Silva and David Silva (Manchester City). On Sunday evening, Sterling, 24, was announced as the 2018-19 Professional Footballers’ Association Young Player of the Year. As well as being a key man in Pep Guardiola’s side as they battle with Liverpool for the Premier League title, Sterling has also received praised for the strong stance he has taken against racism in the game, having himself been subjected to abuse. Huge congratulations to @sterling7 and @lilkeets on your Football Writers' Association Awards! 👏💙 🔵 #mancity pic.twitter.com/uxHGq8Njtp — Manchester City (@ManCity) April 29, 2019 Sterling has scored 29 goals for club and country, including a hat-trick for England in the opening Euro 2020 qualifier against the Czech Republic at Wembley, while also helping Gareth Southgate’s young squad reach this summer’s Nations League finals. It was Sterling who converted the decisive spot-kick as City beat Chelsea on penalties to win the Carabao Cup final during February – and the forward could also yet end up with an FA Cup winners’ medal. Sterling will be presented with the Footballer of the Year trophy, which has been awarded since 1948, at The Landmark London on May 9, when Parris will also collect her accolade. And now @sterling7 has won @theofficialfwa’s Footballer Of The Year Award. The one for grown ups. As a new member of the FWA I voted for Sterling. He’s had a truly outstanding season and has been a delight to watch. Well played 👏👏 — Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 29, 2019 Newly-elected FWA chair Carrie Brown said: “Raheem Sterling is a player of style and a man of substance. “More than 70 years ago Charles Buchan, one of the founding fathers of the Football Writers’ Association, suggested there be an award presented to the player who by “precept and example” is considered the Footballer of the Year. “Raheem Sterling is an exemplar of the talent and values our founding fathers sought to reward when they established the FWA in 1947. “To have been voted the 2019 Footballer of the Year by our members, and with such an overwhelming majority, clearly acknowledges the contribution from a player over one season. BREAKING. @sterling7 and @lilkeets voted Footballer of the Year and Women's Footballer of the year. More here: https://t.co/NDUooO2Tym pic.twitter.com/q2geROgXph — The FWA (@theofficialfwa) April 29, 2019 “But it also recognises the huge impact of Raheem’s courage to challenge preconceptions and fight racism, which will leave a legacy not just for future generations in football but society as a whole. Eyes have been opened, voices found, we are listening and will be at the forefront of the continued drive for equality. “On the pitch, Raheem has evolved into one of the most dangerous forwards in the world. A player long admired for his tactical intelligence, link-up play and quick feet has now added a devastating finish to his game. “The Manchester City forward’s Champions League opener against Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium drew comparisons with Lionel Messi’s goal against Manchester United. Are we approaching a time where Barcelona’s maestro will be forced to cast a watchful glance over his dropped shoulder at the rising star of Sterling?” Brown added on the FWA website: “Raheem didn’t set out to be a leader, but he is setting examples in society and in the game which the world is following with interest. I look forward to presenting him with the Sir Stanley Matthews Trophy on May 9.” ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'}); ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin); ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Jim van Wijk, Press Association Sport'); ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '55d8639a-8647-49c2-a65a-af62e95e361a'); ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world'); ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story'); ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite'); ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null); ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football'); ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Raheem Sterling wins Football Writers\u2019 award'});<doc-sep>Manchester City star Raheem Sterling has been named the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year for the 2018/19 season, with 62% of the vote. The England international has been instrumental in City's quest for their second consecutive Premier League title, scoring 17 goals and assisting 10 more in the league alone. Sterling yesterday collected the PFA Young Player of the Year award, with Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk being crowned the Players' Player of the Year. The pair have been the key men in one of the most enthralling Premier League title races in recent memory. While Sterling's form on the pitch has been stunning, it's his work off of it which has also attracted a lot of attention throughout the season. The 24-year-old has become the face of the movement to rid the game of racial abuse, with cases sadly rising in England throughout the season. Sterling himself was the victim of racial abuse away at Chelsea earlier in the campaign, but his maturity in that situation and his bravery to openly discuss the issues has been key to the fight. This award is well deserved, Raheem. Van Dijk finished second in the final standings, with City striker Sergio Aguero claiming the bronze medal. The other players to pick up votes were Harry Kane, Bernardo Silva, Eden Hazard, David Silva and Alexandre Lacazette. Strange that neither Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane picked up any votes at all, despite the pair having 41 Premier League goals between them so far this season. News Now - Sport News<doc-sep>
Raheem Sterling has been named the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year. And it was double delight for Manchester City, with Nikita Parris winning the women's award. Sterling has drawn widespread praise for his performances for Pep Guardiola's side as they seek to retain their Premier League title, but also for the strong stance he has taken against racism in the game. He was awarded the PFA's Young Player of the Year accolade on Sunday night and follows it up with the FWA award less than 24 hours later. He wrote on Instagram: "Very proud with the PFA Young Player of the year, and truly thankful. Incredible support for the whole season, let's go for more!!!" (Image: @ManCity/Twitter) Sterling has scored 17 Premier League goals, four behind the Golden Boot pace-setter Mohamed Salah, and has 29 in all competitions. He also has 10 assists, the same as City teammate Leroy Sane and is a clear winner, with 62 per cent of the overall vote of over 400 FWA members. He received 100 votes more than PFA Players' Player of the Year, Virgil van Dijk, who finished second, with City teammate Sergio Aguero in third. The 24-year-old becomes the first Manchester City winner of football's oldest individual award, first handed out in 1948, for 50 years. Ex-City star Tony Book shared the 1969 accolade with Derby's Dave Mackay. (Image: Matt West/BPI/REX) FWA chair Carrie Brown praised Sterling for his off-field impact, as well as his on-pitch displays. She said: “Raheem Sterling is a player of style and a man of substance. “More than 70 years ago Charles Buchan, one of the founding fathers of the Footballer Writers Association, suggested there be an award presented to the player who by “precept and example” is considered the Footballer of the Year. “Raheem Sterling is an exemplar of the talent and values our founding fathers sought to reward when they established the FWA in 1947. (Image: Getty) “To have been voted the 2019 Footballer of the Year by our members, and with such an overwhelming majority, clearly acknowledges the contribution from a player over one season but it also recognises the huge impact of Raheem’s courage to challenge preconceptions and fight racism, which will leave a legacy not just for future generations in football but society as a whole. "Eyes have been opened, voices found, we are listening and will be at the forefront of the continued drive for equality. “On the pitch, Raheem has evolved into one of the most dangerous forwards in the world. A player long admired for his tactical intelligence, link-up play and quick feet has now added a devastating finish to his game. (Image: (Credit too long, see caption)) "The Manchester City forward’s Champions League opener against Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium drew comparisons with Lionel Messi’s goal against Manchester United. Are we approaching a time where Barcelona’s maestro will be forced to cast a watchful glance over his dropped shoulder at the rising star of Sterling? “Raheem didn’t set out to be a leader, but he is setting examples in society and in the game which the world is following with interest. Manchester City's Nikita Parris was the winner of the women's award, pipping Arsenal's Vivianne Miedema to the award by a single vote. (Image: 2019 Getty Images) Parris then won by a single vote (11-10) in the second stage. The 25-year-old City and England forward succeeds fellow England striker Fran Kirby, who won the inaugural award last May. Steph Houghton, the England and Manchester City captain, was third.