23 April 2018
Fran Kirby - saw off stiff competition from four Chelsea team-mates to take PFA Award © PFA
Chelsea's Fran Kirby has spoken of how "very humbling" it is to have been crowned PFA Women's Player of the Year at a glittering ceremony at the Grosvenor Hotel in London.
Fran, 24, was one of five Chelsea players shortlisted for the prestigious award as the club chases the treble this season.
She scored for England against France in the SheBelieves Cup last month and is Chelsea's top scorer this season.
"It is very humbling for me," she said. "I have to thank everyone who voted, I am really happy to win this award."
The striker, who had a torrid time with injury over the past 12 months, added: "I think coming back off a long-term injury the main thing was to play as much as I could, and happily I have done that.
"Obviously I want to win as much as I can with Chelsea and with England too, but this is special. There has been a bit of stick with the others in the changing room about whether we had prepared our acceptance speech if we won, but we are all pushing each other on and I'm lucky to be at one of the best clubs in the country."
Bristol City's Lauren Hemp was another winner on the night, named Women's Young Player of the Year.
The 17-year-old has been in sensational form this season and has produced a number of exquisite performances in the Women's Super League 1 as well as sitting top of the scoring charts at City.
Lauren was also named England's Young Player of the Year in 2017 after an impressive campaign with the U19s.
Five Chelsea Ladies players were named in the PFA Women's Super League 1 team of the year.
Defenders Hannah Blundell and Millie Bright as well as midfielders Ji So-yun and Maren Mjelde and forward Fran Kirby were included.
Manchester City Women had just one just representative, left-back Demi Stokes.
Share this article