Robinson named Player of the Year

John Robinson: Welsh Player of the Year

Wales' footballers have been given a timely boost ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Norway with the annual Welsh Player of the Year awards being announced on Tuesday night.

The awards dinner, held at the Vale of Glamorgan hotel, saw John Robinson of Charlton Athletic take the senior Player of the Year title.

He was named ahead of the likes of Ryan Giggs and Gary Speed and was honoured for his roles in both domestic and international football.

Robinson was a vital member of Alan Curbishley's squad which ensured promotion to the Premiership at the end of last season and the right-sided player has also become a stalwart of Mark Hughes' Wales team.

Matthew Jones: promise

Youth

Young Player of the year was Leeds' Matthew Jones.

In David O'Leary's young and talented squad, Jones has fought to ensure that he is now on the verge of breaking into a regular first team place.

At 20 years of age, Jones is already a key performer for Wales manager Mark Hughes and the team felt his absence in Belarus last month, as the team went down 2-1.

Jones returns to the Wales squad for the Norway game on Saturday.

Freestone: dependable

Stalwart

The club player of the year award went to Swansea's Roger Freestone.

He was honoured for his part in Swansea's promotion season of 1999-2000 and for keeping a record number of clean sheets during that period.

Freestone also won his first international cap - emerging with great credit from Wales' friendly match with Brazil at the Millennium Stadium in May.

Mel Charles was also honoured with a special award for his services to Welsh football.

Charles, brother of Wales and Leeds legend John, played for Swansea City before joining Arsenal in 1959.

He played 60 times for Arsenal, scoring 26 goals before a highly successful transfer to Cardiff City - where he scored 24 times in 81 appearances.

Charles won 31 full caps for Wales.