David Ginola completed a memorable double yesterday when he was named Footballer of the Year in England.

The award by the Football Writers' Association, comes less than a fortnight after Tottenham's French star was voted player of the year by the Professional Footballers' Association.

Ginola beat Manchester United pair Dwight Yorke and David Beckham into second and third.

Ginola said: "I am absolutely thrilled. This is a great honour not only for me, but also for Tottenham Hotspur."

The French star has been in dazzling form this season, helping Spurs win the League Cup and a place in the UEFA Cup. He also helped the White Hart Lane club into the FA Cup semi-finals.

This is the fifth year running that the award - voted for by the press - has gone to a foreign player.

Ginola follows Eric Cantona (1995), Jurgen Klinsmann (1996), Gianfranco Zola (1997) and Dennis Bergkamp last year.

He also follows in the footsteps of Arsenal rival Bergkamp by winning both the PFA and FWA trophies in the same season.