Two of our FA Cup semi final heroes, Marlon Harewood and Yossi Benayoun, have been nominated for The Football Association's Player of the Round award after steering Hammers to our first FA Cup final for 26 years.
Harewood grabbed the headlines with a stunning winning goal in
our 1-0 win over Middlesbrough at Villa Park, while Benayoun led by
example with a tireless performance over the 90 minutes.
Now Hammers fans have the chance to vote for either player in an
on-line poll at www.TheFA.com
Fans have just five days to vote before the deadline of 12noon on
Friday, April 28.
The Hammers duo face stiff opposition for the final place in The
FA's Team of The FA Cup from two Liverpool semi final heroes,
goalscorer Luis Garcia and midfielder Xabi Alonso.
If Harewood or Benayoun receive the most votes, in addition to
being crowned FA Cup 'Player of the Round', they will win
£1,000 worth of UMBRO football kit for a local school, club or
organisation of their choice.
Sir Trevor Brooking, The FA's Director of Football Development,
said: "Both Marlon and Yossi thoroughly deserve to be
nominated for The FA Cup Player of the Round award. Their
performances were two of the highlights in a great all-round
display that has led to The Hammers appearing in their first FA Cup
final since 1980.
"Now fans, family and friends can show their support by trying
to help them win £1,000 worth of UMBRO kit, to help boost
grass roots football in the community, and to secure one of them a
place in The FA's Team of The FA Cup."
The Team of The FA Cup comprises Player of the Round winners from
the First Qualifying Round to the Semi Final. This season's
team already features Gosport Borough's Jamie Laidlaw,
Northwich Victoria's Paul Brayson (who has won the award twice
this season), Leamington's Alex Rodman, Eastbourne
Borough's Stuart Tuck, Doncaster Rovers' Dave Mulligan,
Nuneaton Borough's Gez Murphy, Bolton's Ricardo Gardner and
Liverpool's Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard.
Players were nominated by a team of panellists including Radio Five
Live's Mark Clemmit, The Daily Telegraph's Ricky George,
Sky Sports' Jeff Stelling and David Watters, news editor of The
Non League Paper.
In the last two years, several Premiership players have featured in
The Team of The FA Cup alongside non-league players. They include
Jose Antonio Reyes, Freddie Ljungberg, Shay Given and Ruud van
Nistelrooy.
To vote for either Marlon or Yossi, simply click here