CRAIG Bellamy was last night crowned the supporters' player of the year at the club's annual awards night.

The Welsh international, who has been a revelation for Rovers since signing from Newcastle United last summer, scooped the top award to cap a brilliant first season with the club.

The 26-year-old has scored a staggering 17 goals in 32 appearances for Rovers since he joined in a bargain £4 million deal, and he was clearly humbled after getting the fans' vote.

Rovers' leading scorer said: "I'm delighted to pick up this award and I'm truly grateful.

"We've got a small squad here and for us to get into Europe is a massive achievement.

"Everyone has played their part in that success and it's not just the players who you see every week, it's everyone behind the scenes as well.

"Our coaching staff are the best I've worked with by far and that's why I made a massive decision to come here.

"We've also got a great chairman; I've been at a few clubs and he's by far the best I've worked with."

Bellamy also heaped praised on the fans for the way they've got behind him over the last nine months.

"I've played in front of 50,000 and although we don't get the biggest crowds at Blackburn, the people we do get make more noise than when I've played in front of fifty or sixty thousand week in, week out."

Have your say on this story in seconds
1. Click on the add comment button below
2. If you've not registered before, fill in our quick, one-off registration form
3. Leave your comments instantly on this and all other Rovers stories