Trophy Store Blog
20 Seasons of Premier League Awards
16 May 2012
Two decades of sweat, tears and football trophies were celebrated at the Premier League 20 Seasons Awards, with Manchester United featuring heavily among the winners. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson was named the Premier League's greatest manager and Ryan Giggs its greatest player. United have won 12 Premier League titles under Ferguson's management, while Giggs, still playing at 38, has won the same amount as a player. The unbeaten Arsenal team of 2003-4, nicknamed 'the Invincibles', won the greatest team of 20 seasons.
20 season award winners:
Player of 20 Seasons
Ryan Giggs
Still playing at 38, Manchester United winger Giggs is the most decorated player in Premier League history. The obvious choice and worthy winner when taking 20 years of Premier League football into account.
Manager of 20 Seasons
Sir Alex Ferguson
Guided Manchester United to 12 Premier League titles. The Scotsman is the most successful British football manager of all time, having also won two UEFA Champions League titles and numerous other trophies in his reign.
Season of 20 Seasons
2011-12
This season ended in the most closely contested title since the Premier League began, with Manchester City beating Manchester United to the trophy in the dying seconds of the final game of the season.
Team of 20 Seasons
Arsenal 2003-04
Arsenal's 'Invicibles' took the league title by an 11-point margin after finishing the season unbeaten.
Most Memorable Quote of 20 Seasons
Kevin Keegan, 1996
As Newcastle manager, Keegan infamously said “I will love it if we beat them” of Alex Ferguson's Manchester United. Newcastle finished second after throwing away a considerable lead at the top of the table.
Goal of 20 Seasons
Wayne Rooney
Rooney's spectacular overhead kick against Manchester City this season was deemed to be the best goal in Premier League history.
Match of 20 Seasons
Manchester United 4-3 Manchester City
The thrilling 2009-10 derby between the Manchester teams, won by an injury time Michael Owen goal, was given the gong.
Goal Celebration of 20 Seasons
Eric Cantona versus Sunderland in 1996
A cheeky pirouette by the enigmatic Frenchman, after a sublime chipped goal.
Save of 20 Seasons
Craig Gordon for Sunderland against Bolton in 2010
The Scotsman somehow got a hand to Zat Knight's close range shot.
Goals
Alan Shearer
The former Blackburn and Newcastle striker, regarded by many as the greatest forward to play in the Premier League, scored 260 Premier League goals in his career. Unsurprisingly, he made the public's fantasy team of 20 seasons.
Clean Sheets
David James
The former Liverpool, Manchester City and Portsmouth goalkeeper took the award for most clean sheets - 173 - ahead of goalkeeping legends such as David Seaman and Peter Schmeichel.
Fantasy Team of 20 Seasons - Public
Voted for by the public, the fantasy team of 20 seasons held few surprises, other than perhaps the omission of John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Roy Keane. The latter two made it onto a team voted for by experts.
Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel
Right back: Gary Neville
Central defenders: Nemanja Vidic, Tony Adams
Left back: Ashley Cole
Right Midfield: Cristiano Ronaldo
Central midfield: Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard
Left midfield: Ryan Giggs
Forwards: Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry
Fantasy Team of 20 Seasons - Experts
Voted for by a panel of 11 football experts, commentators and administrators.
Goalkeeper: Peter Schmeichel
Right back: Gary Neville
Central defenders: Rio Ferdinand, Tony Adams
Left back: Ashley Cole
Right Midfield: Cristiano Ronaldo
Central midfield: Paul Scholes, Roy Keane
Left midfield: Ryan Giggs
Forwards: Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry
All the winners a tribute to the Premier League, possibly the greatest football league in the world.
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