Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Congratulations to Victor Moses - Winner of the Coca-Cola Football League Young Player of the Month Award


VICTOR MOSES has been named the inaugural winner of the 'Coca-Cola Football League Player of the Month' award for for his performances in December 2009.

The Coca-Cola Football League Young Player of the Month award is given to the player aged 21 or under who, in its words, "has made the most significant contribution and impact in first-team football".

Phil Stant, a youth development monitor for the League, said:
"We looked at stats and performances, and the Crystal Palace striker was chosen out of the 266 players under the age of 21 who ply their trade outside of the Premier League."

Here is Victor and his manager Neil Warnock being interviewed by Sky Sports on his award.

Moses scored four goals throughout the month including an eye catching double at Reading and a spectacular over-head kick at home to Barnsley just before Christmas.

Here is the link to see Victor's cracking goal against Barnsley on the 19th December 2009.

The 19-year-old also scored a fine winner against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday — his sixth league goal in his past eight matches. "That might be his last game for us," Neil Warnock, the Palace manager, said.

Palace’s financial troubles are forcing them to part with their most valuable asset and his fantastic form has drawn attention from the giants of the game, including Barcelona, Real Madrid Arsenal and Liverpool, with a move to the Premier League or abroad almost certain before the end of the transfer window.

Born in Nigeria on 12th December 1990, he was sent to live in England aged eleven, a week after his parents were murdered.

Victor's father Austin Moses was a Christian minister in Kaduna at a time when religious violence between the Muslim majority and Christian minority was rife. Despite this and with the help of his wife, Josephine, he continued with his missionary work.

Austin did not have time for football, but Victor played every day, in the streets or on a dusty concrete pitch surrounded by houses.

But in 2002, there were more religious riots. The family knew that because Victor's father had his own church, he would be a target.

Victor, the couple's only child, was playing football in the streets with a ball made up of sticky tape bound tightly together when his uncle came to find him.

He told him rioters had set upon his parents in their home and murdered them. He said Victor's life was in danger, too. The little boy, an orphan at 11, was hidden at a friend's house.

They got me out as quickly as they could for my safety.

Victor did not know anyone in England. He had never even been outside Kaduna before. He was placed with foster parents in Croydon and classified as an asylum seeker.

Since making his debut in November 2007, he has made 68 first team appearances, scoring 11 goals. Moses has also represented England at various levels and picked up the Golden Boot in the 2007 European Under-17 Championships.

The Football League's Chief Operating Officer Andy Williamson said:
"Victor Moses is an outstanding example of the high calibre young footballers being developed by Football League clubs. His eye-catching performances during the month of December have shown just why he is regarded as one of the finest young talents in English football."

After receiving his award from Palace manager Neil Warnock, Moses said:
"I am delighted to receive this award. This is one of the greatest days of my life to be winning something like this in the Championship."

Neil Warnock & Victor Moses
Neil Warnock presents Victor with his award.


No comments: