Tottenham star Bale named FWA Footballer of the Year

The flying Welshman becomes the 15th player to be recognised by the PFA and football writers in the same season, with Robin van Persie and Juan Mata completing the top three

Gareth Bale has been named as the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year.

The Tottenham star has completed a clean sweep of this season's individual awards, having already won the PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year gongs.

Bale becomes the 15th player to be recognised by the PFA and FWA in the same season, garnering 53 per cent of journalists' votes.

	BALE FORCE
6/4	Gareth Bale is 6/4 with William Hill to score in a Tottenham win over Southampton

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie finished second with 43 per cent, while Chelsea attacking midfielder Juan Mata completes the top three.

Luis Suarez, currently serving a 10-match ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic, got only two votes, one more than Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke, with Southampton's Rickie Lambert among the others to be nominated.