FIRST things first. This is nothing personal against Scott Parker.

But – and it is a very big BUT – how on earth was he voted Footballer of the Year?

It is not his fault of course. He’s a very decent human being and a fine player for both West Ham and England. Although am I mistaken in believing that the ’Ammers were relegated last Sunday? Cynical? You bet.

No, the blame lies directly with the scribes and the Football Writers’ Association who voted for him in March – before the “business end” of the season even got underway.

Likewise, the Professional Footballers’ Assoc-iation made their choice – Gareth Bale of Spurs – in February. Nonsense.

Two wrongs do not make a right.

In my not so humble opinion there is only one true and genuine Footballer of the Year – and that is Ryan Giggs. The one and only.

And before any of you accuse me of hindsight I was touting him back in January – just ask Mickey Greeno that “master coach and technician of Portland FC”. His words, I hasten to add.

That enduring image last Saturday at Ewood Park, Blackburn when Sir Alex Ferguson chose to embrace his star Welshman first and foremost on the final whistle told a million words.

It was almost like a humble “thank you” from one great man to another. And uniquely Fergie’s special tribute to a favourite son who has become synonymous with all that is right about Manchester United.

For those who lead a sheltered life, Giggs is 37 and is as fit as a fiddle. And this is his 12th Premier League title since his debut in 1992.

It is a phenomenal achievement. He has won trophies playing as an orthodox left-winger, an impromptu left-back and this season as a dynamic, midfield inspiration whose vision has been the significant factor in United’s glory-glory 19th championship success – much to the chagrin of Liverpool.

The FWA award is the oldest and still the most prestigious individual award in world soccer – despite what the PFA may think.

I must confess I have a vested inter-est. Because as a teenager I once worked for the magazine Charles Buchan’s Football Monthly, which in the immediate post-war years became one of publishing’s biggest success stories.

As kids we loved it because it contained the first glossy colour pictures of the stars. Wow! And all wearing Brylcream! It was Buchan, a former Sunderland, Arsenal and England star, who was the founding father of the award and who deemed: “It should be given to the professional player who by precept and example is considered by a ballot of members to be the Footballer of the Year.”

That was back in 1947 and the legendary Stanley Matthews was its first recipient in 1948.

I am not the only voice crying in the wilderness. My old mucker Martin Samuel of the Daily Mail refused to vote this year “because it is much too early to decide”.

It must be said that things have changed because the award was always previously presented on the Thursday prior to the FA Cup final, which in the good old days was the last official day of the season. But now the money-orientated Premier League rules OK. No, it is not OK.

Listen to Clive of Weymouth – a porter at the Hotel Rex on the Esplanade. “Sure, I am a United fan,” he says. “But Scott Parker doesn’t make a lot of sense as Footballer of the Year.

“Especially with the season Ryan Giggs has had at Old Trafford. Including a magnificent run-in to the title and with the Champions League final to come.

“He is also a role model. Someone for the kids to look up to. And that is an achievement in itself with some of the lurid headlines about today’s players.” Spot on, Clive.

As I say. Nothing personal Scott.