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West Ham's Avram Grant insists Scott Parker's Football Writers' award is good for the game
Israeli maintains his captain will remain at the club despite constant transfer speculation and believes the midfielder is deserving of his award
Apr 22, 2011 3:05:00 PM
By Omar Shahid
Getty Images
West Ham boss Avram Grant insists Scott Parker's Football Writers' award is a good showcase for the sport.
Parker's influential season at Upton Park also saw him nominated for the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year, which was eventually won by Gareth Bale, but Grant maintains the awards should not be restricted to players who ply their trade in the Premier League's elite.
"You know I think he deserves it, it is good for him, it is good for football," said Grant.
"Not every time you need to choose players from the top teams.
"Everybody is interested in the top teams but he did a lot for the team, a lot for football.
"He was also good in the games he played for the national team, but for us he's not just a good footballer but a good person.
"I think today everybody who is involved in football and is watching all over can see it is good to be a good footballer but it is important to be a positive person.
"And he is the second man from West Ham to win the award after Bobby Moore, which says something. Bobby Moore was one of the greatest ever."
Reports have linked Parker with a move away from the club both last summer and in the January transfer window. Despite West Ham's Premier League status still in the balance, Grant believes his captain will stay at Upton Park.
"Until the summer we have a very long time but I am very positive that Scott will stay because he knows what the future of the club is.
"He knows we are going to try and do things better to moved forward and he is a big part of it so I think he will stay."
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Parker's influential season at Upton Park also saw him nominated for the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year, which was eventually won by Gareth Bale, but Grant maintains the awards should not be restricted to players who ply their trade in the Premier League's elite.
"You know I think he deserves it, it is good for him, it is good for football," said Grant.
"Not every time you need to choose players from the top teams.
"Everybody is interested in the top teams but he did a lot for the team, a lot for football.
"He was also good in the games he played for the national team, but for us he's not just a good footballer but a good person.
"I think today everybody who is involved in football and is watching all over can see it is good to be a good footballer but it is important to be a positive person.
"And he is the second man from West Ham to win the award after Bobby Moore, which says something. Bobby Moore was one of the greatest ever."
Reports have linked Parker with a move away from the club both last summer and in the January transfer window. Despite West Ham's Premier League status still in the balance, Grant believes his captain will stay at Upton Park.
"Until the summer we have a very long time but I am very positive that Scott will stay because he knows what the future of the club is.
"He knows we are going to try and do things better to moved forward and he is a big part of it so I think he will stay."
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