Manchester United's right winger Cristiano Ronaldo has been crowned as England's Footballer of the year of the year on Friday, May 2, 2008, by The Football Writers’ Association(FWA). Ronaldo is the second player the award's 60 year history to win it twice in a row. Thierry Henry, the former Arsenal striker won the award in two consecutive years (2003 and 2004). Fernando Torres of Liverpool and David James of Portsmouth finished second and third respectively. The polls have been organized by the  FWA since 1948.

 

FWA Chairman Paul Hetherington, said that Ronaldo's winning is no surprise as he has been in tremendous form this season scoring 38 goals for Manchester United. Mr. Hetherington further added that ever since the polls started Ronaldo was ahead of the other contestants. He praised Ronaldo for achieving the feat of scoring 38 goals being a winger.

 

Other notable winners of this prestigious award are Stanley Matthews, Johnny Carey, Billy Wright, Tom Finney, Danny Blanchflower, Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton etc. Ronaldo had earlier bagged the 2007 English PFA Player and Young Player of the Year awards and was third in the 2007 World Player of the year award. He is regarded as one of the most talented footballers of his generation.