LONDON: West Ham midfielder Scott Parker has been voted by England's football writers as the 2011 Footballer of the Year.

The England international's tireless displays for one of the Premier League's relegation-threatened teams saw him top the poll of journalists ahead of Tottenham winger Gareth Bale, who was last week voted Player of the Year by his fellow professionals.

Steve Bates, chairman of the Football Writers Association, says Parker “has been an inspirational figure for the Irons and hopefully his professionalism will be rewarded with West Ham staying up at the end of the season.”

West Ham is level with bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers in the table, two points off 17th place and the last non-relegation spot.

Parker will receive the award at a gala dinner on May 12.