Former Toon skipper Scott Parker has been voted 2011 Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers Association.
Parker topped the poll of journalists ahead of Tottenham winger Gareth Bale.
FWA chairman Steve Bates, chief football writer at The People said: "Scott Parker has been so consistent this season with his performances in a West Ham team battling for Barclays Premier League survival and as such has forced himself back into the England national set-up.
"He has been an inspirational figure for the Irons and hopefully his professionalism will be rewarded with West Ham staying up at the end of the season.
"In what was one of the tightest votes of recent seasons, Scott is certainly a worthy winner and follows in the footsteps of a long line of superb footballers who have been given this prestigious honour."