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DROGBA WINS THE BIG VOTE
Posted on: Thu 06 May 2010
Didier Drogba has been named Chelsea Player of the Year for the first time.
The striker has been rewarded for another outstanding season that has seen him net 33 goals so far by polling the most votes from the fans. He is the 43rd recipient and was presented with the trophy by Carlo Ancelotti.
'Wow!' began his acceptance speech, delivered after he had invited all his team mates to join him on stage.
'Thank you to all the fans from my heart.
'When I came here it wasn't easy for me, I made a lot of mistakes and they always tried to help me. My only desire was to love this club and win a lot of trophies. This is the happiest I have ever been and I want this moment to continue for years and years.'
Florent Malouda has been declared Samsung Chelsea Players' Player of the Year, decided by a vote among his fellow professionals and the staff who work closely with the first team.
Chelsea Player of the Year
In the first award announced at the annual Player of the Year dinner, held in the Great Hall in the West Stand at Stamford Bridge,
Ashley Cole's attacking prowess from full-back gave him the Chelsea TV Award for Goal of the Season, also voted for by the supporters.
His goal at home to Sunderland in January when he took John Terry's excellent floated pass and in three touches controlled it, put his marker on his backside and then chipped over the keeper at the Shed End was the pick of the season's best.
'I had been practicing hard in training with Lamps and Didier and normally they went over the bar,' Cole said about the goal, 'but it was a great ball from JT, we have a good understanding and we try to do that a lot.
'As I took the touch I didn't know what to do but I did a 'Cruyff' and luckily the keeper went down and I chipped it over him.'
Chelsea Player of the Year
Cole was presented with a trophy by Kerry Dixon; Malouda's was handed over by Dennis Wise.
Malouda said: 'It has been one of my best seasons and I would like to thank my team mates, they are the best jury, but I prefer collective awards so I ask them to please help me win that Double.'
The adidas Young Player of the Year quite rightly went to the entire Under 18 squad who brought the FA Youth Cup back to Stamford Bridge after a 49-year wait, thanks to their win over Aston Villa two days ago. Climbing on to the stage was a nice moment for midfielder Kaby who missed Tuesday's Youth Cup trophy presentation having been taken to hospital.
Peter Bonetti was handed a special recognition award for his 729 appearances and important place in the club's history. He was the Chelsea Player of the Year in the award's inaugural year in 1967. His 2010 accolade was presented by three of his successors in goal for the Blues, Carlo Cudicini, Petr Cech and Eddie Niedzwiecki.
There was a new award for Chelsea Contribution which went to press accreditation officer Thresa Conneely who has given 33-years of service.
CHELSEA PLAYER OF THE YEAR
1967 Peter Bonetti
1968 Charlie Cooke
1969 David Webb
1970 John Hollins
1971 John Hollins
1972 David Webb
1973 Peter Osgood
1974 Gary Locke
1975 Charlie Cooke
1976 Ray Wilkins
1977 Ray Wilkins
1978 Micky Droy
1979 Tommy Langley
1980 Clive Walker
1981 Petar Borota
1982 Mike Fillery
1983 Joey Jones
1984 Pat Nevin
1985 David Speedie
1986 Eddie Niedzwiecki
1987 Pat Nevin
1988 Tony Dorigo
1989 Graham Roberts
1990 Ken Monkou
1991 Andy Townsend
1992 Paul Elliott
1993 Frank Sinclair
1994 Steve Clarke
1995 Erland Johnsen
1996 Ruud Gullit
1997 Mark Hughes
1998 Dennis Wise
1999 Gianfranco Zola
2000 Dennis Wise
2001 John Terry
2002 Carlo Cudicini
2003 Gianfranco Zola
2004 Frank Lampard
2005 Frank Lampard
2006 John Terry
2007 Michael Essien
2008 Joe Cole
2009 Frank Lampard
2010 Didier Drogba
CHELSEA YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR
1983 Keith Dublin
1984 Robert Isaac
1985 Gareth Hall
1986 Micky Bodley
1987 Jason Cundy
1988 Eddie Cunnington
1989 No award
1990 No award
1991 Andy Myers
1992 Zeke Rowe
1993 Neil Shipperley
1994 Mark Nicholls
1995 Chris McCann
1996 Jody Morris
1997 Nick Crittenden
1998 John Terry
1999 Sam Dalla Bona
2000 Rhys Evans
2001 Leon Knight
2002 Carlton Cole
2003 Robert Huth
2004 Robert Huth
2005 Robert Huth
2006 Lassana Diarra
2007 John Mikel Obi
2008 The U18s youth team
2009 Michael Mancienne
2010 The U18s youth team
CHELSEA GOAL OF THE SEASON
2007 Michael Essien v Arsenal (home)
2008 Juliano Belletti v Tottenham (home)
2009 Michael Essien v Barcelona (home)
2010 Ashley Cole v Sunderland (home)
CHELSEA PLAYERS' PLAYER OF THE YEAR
2006 Claude Makelele
2007 Didier Drogba
2008 Ricardo Carvalho
2009 Ashley Cole
2010 Florent Malouda
