M.E.N. Sport's soccer writers assessed 500 players in our region at United, City, Bolton, Wigan, Oldham, Stockport, Rochdale, Bury, Macclesfield plus all our non-leaguers.
Ronaldo's 42-goal haul in the Reds' Champions League and Premier League-winning campaign won him a 10 out of 10 rating. M.E.N. readers, Channel M viewers and manchestereveningnews.co.uk users were then asked to say in 100 words who their star performer was in the 2007-08 campaign.
Peter King, 64, from Dukinfield, nominated Ronaldo, despite being a long-time Blue. He won the chance to present the award, which is in association with flybe.com who also gave him two return flights to anywhere in Europe.
"I appreciate football and that is the reason I voted for him," he said. "It had to be a landslide for me the way he played last season. He fully deserved it.
"As a City fan it didn't bother me one bit voting for Cristiano because he is my type of player. Two of my biggest heroes were Tom Finney and Duncan Edwards.
"Tom was a Preston player and obviously Duncan was at Old Trafford, but they were still my idols because of the way they played.
"Never mind who you support it was hard to argue against Cristiano Ronaldo last season."
And it was Ronaldo's similarity to his old-time heroes that hit home with 64-year-old retired engineer Peter.
He said: "Duncan Edwards for me was the greatest player United have ever had.
"He could play anywhere and was strong. He was like a tank. He could score goals and could head the ball. I remember him once taking a free kick against Bert Trautmann, who was one of the greatest goalkeepers there has ever been, but he took this free kick and Bert never even saw it.
"Some of Cristiano's free kicks last term were awesome.
"Duncan had presence. He looked the part and was awesome.
"Cristiano has that aura about him as well. There is something different to anyone else. He is confident and always looks like he is going to score.
Genius
"But Cristiano reminds me most of Tom Finney. Tom was a genius. He could dribble and could play either wing. He was two-footed and could score goals. Finney could also play centre forward.
"Stanley Matthews was a great dribbler, but he didn't score the goals like Tom.
"You want to see dribblers and goalscorers and Tom Finney did both. Cristiano Ronaldo is the same now. He is the nearest thing to Tom Finney, who I rate as the best there has ever been. I have seen some good ones like Di Stefano, Puskas, Pele, Maradona, Ronaldinho, but Tom was the best of all time and my idol. I rate Cristiano the equal of some of them."
Ronaldo took goalscoring from the wing to a new stratosphere last term.
"I think Ronaldo is an exceptional footballer," added Peter. "For anyone to score 42 goals in a season is phenomenal.
"I don't think that will ever be equalled at the level he is performing. It took some doing. It was the variety of them as well. Outside the box, back heels, everything.
"I was a City fan from the 50s and one of my best friends was the late Bobby Johnstone. He was a great dribbler and I have always loved that kind of a player. I love attacking entertaining players and Ronaldo epitomises that. When you pay money you want to see goals and excitement and he provides it."
Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
If there was an award for best supporter I'd give it to Peter King. He epitomises what is good about football. He is a long-time supporter of Man City yet doesn't let that blinker his views of other players or teams. Football is at it's best when tribal loyalties are forgotten in the face of skill, intensity and passion. When it truly becomes the beautiful game.
Well said peter king a non blinkered city fan.
A decent blues fan I knew there must be one.
Hats off to City fan Peter King, a fan who clearly know his football.
Well done Peter King ,the ultimate antithesis to the likes of Knott etc.
You are a credit to City.
Take a well deserved pat on the back Mr.King.A true Blue but also a football fan who recognises talent whichever colours worn .Congratulations to you,and good luck to City .
Very commendable! The ordinary dudes that sit in the stands at matches all over the country are fine.It's just this M.E.N. UNITED site seems to have infatuated some blue psychos.
There are many decent blues fans and this is one.
Lets not be uncharitable.
Love for the game is always paramount.
Great of MEN to invite a "football" and City fan to handover the award to Ronnie. A wonderful bringing together.