Declan Rice and David Moyes win as West Ham sweep London Football Awards again

DECLAN RICE insists he owes his success to boss David Moyes after the duo again won top gongs for West Ham at the London Football Awards.

The Hammers have had another impressive season.

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And stand-out performer Rice — who claimed Young Player of the Year in 2019 — picked up the Premier League Player of the Year award.

The England midfielder, 23, finished ahead of team-mate Jarrod Bowen, as well as Chelsea trio Jorginho, Antonio Rudiger and Thiago Silva.

Moyes was also recognised with the Manager of the Year trophy for the second year running.

Rice said: “I’m delighted. This adds to the Young Player of the Year award I got a few years ago — this is going up in the trophy cabinet for sure!”

Palace ace Conor Gallagher, 22, on loan from Chelsea, was named Young Player of the Year after winning his first England cap last November.

And the Blues’ Aussie strike legend Sam Kerr won the woman’s award.

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But it’s the Hammers who had most to celebrate.

And Londoner Rice, who has been linked with Manchester United and West Ham, insisted he ‘wouldn’t be here’ if it wasn’t for Moyes.

He said: “The first spell I was very young and was learning my trade and playing centre-half.

“Then, it was funny because when he came back for the second spell he came over and said to me ‘you’ve got better, haven’t you?!’

“I looked at him and started laughing and from that moment on we’ve had such a good relationship.

“The confidence he puts into me is massive and means I can go out and perform when a manager believes in me like that.”

Rice added: “It’s good to be regarded in that way. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the manager.”

OTHER AWARD WINNERS

 KEEPER OF THE YEAR: Edouard Mendy (Chelsea)
EFL PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham)
GOAL OF THE SEASON: Andre Gray (for QPR v Derby)
WOMEN’S YOUNG PLAYER:  Jessica Naz  (Tottenham)
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO LONDON FOOTBALL: Emma Hayes (Chelsea women’s manager)
COMMUNITY PROJECT: QPR (for ‘Long Live the Prince’).

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