2008-09: Mark Schwarzer
June 2009
_Mark Schwarzer capped a magnificent season after he was named winner
of the FMA’s inaugural international-player-of-the-year award. Voting
on the award for the first time, FMA members made the Socceroos and
Fulham goalkeeper an almost unanimous choice from a red hot field of
nominations that also included Tim Cahill, Jason Culina, Brett Emerton,
Luke Wilkshire and Lucas Neill.
On a wonderful night for Australian football, Schwarzer was presented with his trophy by yours truly at a gala function in Sydney in June. He was also named Football Federation Australia’s footballer of the year. The awards night was held in conjunction with FFA’s communityawards program and the Professional Footballers Association. Tim Cahill won the prestigious PFA award for player-of-the-year, voted on by his peers.
Schwarzer, who has always been aware of his media duties, could not hide his delight after receiving the FMA award.
This is very special to me,’’ Schwarzer said. “I like to think I have a good relationship with the media both here and in England.
“I like to try and promote the game as much as possible, especially in Australia and I realise the role the media has to play as well.“It is an honour to be given an award like this.”
“But, people should remember this is a team game and you don’t win these sorts of things without a huge contribution from your teammates.‘’Every player, whether at Fulham or with the Socceroos has a part of this trophy.’’
Schwarzer had a stellar season both with Australia and Fulham, who he joined after a long and distinguished career at Middlesbrough. On a national team level he was at the peak of his powers, continually producing world class performances and showing why he is rated one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Who can forget his 89th minute save to rescue a 0-0 draw against China in China in the early stages of the Asian World Cup qualifiers? And his performances throughout the long and tough Cup qualifyingcampaign never faltered. He always put his hand up to play, never mind the time of season, the venue or the opposition.Schwarzer played every match in the last stage of the Asian qualifying section, conceding just one goal – in the final match against Japan in Melbourne, which the Socceroos won 2-1.With Fulham, the 36-year-old played every minute of the EPL season with the club, keeping 10 clean sheets in all competitions.
He has already started the new season with a clean sheet and is so highly thought of by Fulham that he has signed a new deal to stay with them for the 2010-2011 season. Schwarzer is looking forward to the World Cup finals in South Africa in June next year in what will be his swan song for the national team. There could not be a more fitting stage to end his international career. cally flow into the column on the right.
On a wonderful night for Australian football, Schwarzer was presented with his trophy by yours truly at a gala function in Sydney in June. He was also named Football Federation Australia’s footballer of the year. The awards night was held in conjunction with FFA’s communityawards program and the Professional Footballers Association. Tim Cahill won the prestigious PFA award for player-of-the-year, voted on by his peers.
Schwarzer, who has always been aware of his media duties, could not hide his delight after receiving the FMA award.
This is very special to me,’’ Schwarzer said. “I like to think I have a good relationship with the media both here and in England.
“I like to try and promote the game as much as possible, especially in Australia and I realise the role the media has to play as well.“It is an honour to be given an award like this.”
“But, people should remember this is a team game and you don’t win these sorts of things without a huge contribution from your teammates.‘’Every player, whether at Fulham or with the Socceroos has a part of this trophy.’’
Schwarzer had a stellar season both with Australia and Fulham, who he joined after a long and distinguished career at Middlesbrough. On a national team level he was at the peak of his powers, continually producing world class performances and showing why he is rated one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Who can forget his 89th minute save to rescue a 0-0 draw against China in China in the early stages of the Asian World Cup qualifiers? And his performances throughout the long and tough Cup qualifyingcampaign never faltered. He always put his hand up to play, never mind the time of season, the venue or the opposition.Schwarzer played every match in the last stage of the Asian qualifying section, conceding just one goal – in the final match against Japan in Melbourne, which the Socceroos won 2-1.With Fulham, the 36-year-old played every minute of the EPL season with the club, keeping 10 clean sheets in all competitions.
He has already started the new season with a clean sheet and is so highly thought of by Fulham that he has signed a new deal to stay with them for the 2010-2011 season. Schwarzer is looking forward to the World Cup finals in South Africa in June next year in what will be his swan song for the national team. There could not be a more fitting stage to end his international career. cally flow into the column on the right.
