Football: Shearer wins PFA award

Alan Shearer yesterday became only the second footballer to be named Players' Player of Year twice in his career. The Newcastle and England striker picked up the award at the Professional Footballers' Association dinner in London last night. Mark Hughes is the only other player to have won the award twice.

Manchester United's David Beckham was named the PFA Young Player of the Year, and also came second behind Shearer in the senior award. The Arsenal striker Ian Wright was third in the awards, which are voted on by all professional footballers.

Leicester's young forward Emile Heskey was runner-up to Beckham, with last year's winner, Robbie Fowler, coming third. There was also a special merit award for Peter Beardsley for services to football.

The guest of honour at the Grosvenor House hotel was the Manchester United manager, Alex Ferguson, who made the presentation to Shearer.