Lamps receives Footballer of Year Award

Last updated : 20 May 2005 By Paul Lagan

Frank Lampard received his Footballer of the Year award last night and gave a special "Thank you" to all the Chelsea faithful.

Lamps, 26, attended the glittering end of season occasion at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, central London, with his family and picked up the coveted Football Writer's award to a standing reception.

The dynamic midfielder almost did not make it - he attended the funeral of a Chelsea-loving youngster in Kent, earlier in the day, and made a touching tribute to the 10-year-old girl, in his acceptance speech.

Lamps, had also endured to invasion of his privacy and loss of some prized possessions, when he was burgled earlier in the week.
So it was to his credit that he attended at all.

"I'd like to thank my dad, because I'd not be here without him," said the likable England star, much to the hilarity of the assembled hacks and footballing greats.

After thanking his family and the professionals who helped him in his career, Lamps paid special tribute to you all - the Chelsea fans who took to him after his less than celebrated move across London from West Ham.

Lamps is a star, and we are glad to have him at the Bridge.