David Ginola was voted Player of the Year by his fellow professionals last night. Tottenham's charismatic Frenchman crowned a wonderful season by pipping Manchester United's Champions' Cup hero Dwight Yorke and his World Cup winning countryman Emmanuel Petit for the coveted PFA Player of the Year title.
Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane was also shortlisted, while Niall Quinn got a place on the Division One team of the season.
Nicolas Anelka of Arsenal lifted the Young Player of the Year award ahead of last year's winner Michael Owen and Harry Kewell of Leeds.
Leeds manager David O'Leary has signed a new £6 million five-year contract. O'Leary's previous deal had two years to run but chairman Peter Ridsdale was keen to end speculation over his longterm future. The Irish manager's contract has no get-out clauses, unlike former boss George Graham, who left the Elland Road club to take charge at Tottenham last September.
"I'm delighted to commit myself to Leeds with this long-term contract," said O'Leary yesterday. "My ambition now is to see the club become genuine title challengers and I hope within the next five years we can win the championship again. The contract doesn't just secure my future, it points the way forward for the club and it's important we now ensure our outstanding youngsters also sign long-term deals."
PFA Player Of The Year: David Ginola (Tottenham); Runner-up: Dwight Yorke (Man Utd); Third: Emmanuel Peit (Arsenal). Also short-listed: David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Roy Keane. YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Nicolas Anelka (Arsenal). Runner-up: Michael Owen. Third: Harry Kewell. Also short-listed: Lee Bowyer, Lee Hendrie, Alan Smith.
Premiership Team: 1 Nigel Martyn (Leeds), 2 Gary Neville (Man Utd), 3 Denis Irwin (Man Utd), 4 Patrick Vieira (Arsenal), 5 Sol Campbell (Tottenham), 6 Jaap Stam (Man Utd), 7 David Beckham (Man Utd), 8 Dwight Yorke (Man Utd), 9 Nicolas Anelka (Arsenal), 10 Emmanuel Petit (Arsenal), 11 David Ginola (Tottenham).
