Ryan Giggs, who has collected every single major honour there is to collect in football in his 799 appearances for Manchester United, tonight, picked up the one honour that has eluded him in his 18 years in football; The Professional Football Association Player of the Year.
The majority would agree that Giggs is a deserving winner of the award, recognition for his years of service and his level of consistency over nearly two decades at United, but there are some people who feel that Giggs isnt't deserving of the award, especially considering that he has only started 12 Premier League games this season, scoring just once, against West Ham United in February.
When you look at the stats for the season though, and all seven competitions that Giggs and United have competed in, the 36 year old Welshman's contribution has been useful at the very least.
Despite his lack of league starts this season, Giggs has played some part in 24 league games, eight Champions League ties, four League Cup ties, two FA Cup ties and in the Community Shield, a total of 38 matches, not bad for a player, who Sir Alex Ferguson said, would be used as a bit part player this season, in the twilight years of his career.
Not to take anything away from Giggs, as a Manchester United fan I am doubly proud of him and his achievement, but you may want to take into consideration when the PFA vote was made...in February; When did Giggs score his one and only league goal of the season...in February, catch my drift?!
Out of the hundreds of players from top to bottom of the football league, there must have been a few who had Giggs', then recent goal, against West Ham, fresh in the memory banks, and thought I'll vote for him.
The Welsh Wizard, who has terrorized defences for 18 years, scored in every single Premier League season, won 21 major honours at club level and made the most appearances for Manchester United in the club's history, is undoubtedly one of the best players to ever grace the Premier League.
As for being player of the season, I have my reservations, but if there is anyone who deserves it based on what they have brought to the game as a whole, then Ryan Giggs's name is certainly worth a shout.
Whether he does or doesn't make his 800th appearance for Manchester United in Wednesdays Champions League Semi Final tie against Arsenal remains to be seen, what is certain is that he will surpass that milestone and continue to extend his record for at least another year at Old Trafford.
For now though, this is a chance for all of us to salute a magnificent servant of British football, and congratulate him on winning the PFA Player of the Year Award, whatever the reasons may be.
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