Quote 'Hitman' Norvern Soul="'Hitman' Norvern Soul"Wasn't Giggs eligible for England having been brought up (I always though born in, but apparently not) in Salford/Manchester, as his dad moved up north to play for Swinton?
Anyway, I can't think of a more worthy winner of an award. The bloke should go down as one of the finest footballers ever and a great person, too, by all accounts.'"
Quote 'Hitman' Norvern Soul="Dropkick Murphy"Possibly but in my opinion IF he was eligible (I don't know for certain either way) then choosing to play for the country of his birth rather than flying the flag of convenience is another feather in Giggs' cap.
Had he played for England then aside from any footballing benefits he also would have no doubt made a lot more money as he would have been an even bigger draw for sponsors. The fact that he put loyalty to his heritage first should be applauded not denigrated. Presumably Richeastender is the type of "Ingurlund Till I Die" merchant who is bitter towards Giggs because England's left wing has been bereft of talent for the majority of his career.
I hate Man United. I don't hate Ryan Giggs. That's pretty much the highest accolade I can pay him! I still would have voted for David Haye had I been in when SPOTY was on though.'"
See my post about his eligibility. If an Italian was brought up in England he would have been able to play for England but there are rules in place to stop this happening between English and Welsh lads (possibly Scottish and Norn Ironish lads as well). He is on record as saying if he did have the choice he would have played for Wales anyway because he is er Welsh and proud of it.
Dropkick, I've heard on many occasions the most bitter anti-United Liverpool fans talking about the respect they have for Giggs (and Scholes) and I think this speaks for itself. I don't know why there's so much fuss to be honest, there was not much opposition to Gascoigne winning in 90 (after a decent World Cup), Owen in 98 (After one decent game in the World Cup) and Beckham in 2001 (after a decent game in a World Cup Qualifier). It's good to see that it's the third player to win it who have scored winning goals for United against City

.
For what's it's worth I don't think Giggs was the best person to win it and it was won out of sentiment of what he has done over a career rather than what he has done this year, a bit like the PFA award he won this year, but he was possibly the best person out of the ten nominees.