Green is Hammer of the Year

Robert Green has been voted the 2007/08 Hammer of the Year following a poll carried out by the West Ham United Supporters Club.

Fans were asked to vote for the player they felt had been the top performer over the campaign and Green, who did not miss a single Barclays Premier League game, took 52 per cent of the vote of the entire first-team squad. Fellow ever-present George McCartney was the runner-up, getting 31 per cent, with Matthew Upson in third place. Green is only the fifth goalkeeper to win the coveted prize - following in the footsteps of Lawrie Leslie, Phil Parkes, Ludek Miklosko and Shaka Hislop. James Tomkins was the Young Hammer of the Year and Jack Collison the most improved player.

Green said: "I am very pleased. I have got a good rapport with the fans. I love playing in front of them, I love playing for the club ... It is a wonderful achievement for myself, it is something I failed to do in ten seasons at Norwich so I am really pleased to do it in my second season at West Ham." The goalkeeper was particularly honoured to add his name to a distinguished list of former greats like Bobby Moore and Trevor Brooking. He added: "It is a wonderful club, it is steeped in tradition and to join the ranks of such players is a tremendous honour."

The 51st Hammer of the Year was confirmed as the winner before kick-off ahead of the final game of the season against Aston Villa and then presented with the trophy during the post-match lap of the pitch. The 28-year-old has enjoyed a terrific campaign that has helped him get back into the England reckoning. Among his highlights were four penalty saves including two last-gasp stops against Portsmouth and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.

CLICK HERE FOR A SPECIAL ROBERT GREEN WALLPAPER

 HAMMER OF THE YEAR HALL OF FAME