Chelsea Ladies' Fran Kirby bags Football Writers' award

Chelsea Ladies striker Fran Kirby has been named as the recipient of the inaugural Football Writers' Association Women's Footballer of the Year award.

The England international, who fended off competition from international teammates Lucy Bronze, Isobel Christiansen, Jordan Nobbs and Jodie Taylor to win the gong, was also named as Professional Footballers' Association Women's Player of the Year on Monday.

Congratulations to Fran Kirby, the women's PFA Players' Player of the Year in association with @SodexoUK_IRE 👏🏆 #PFAAwards pic.twitter.com/hebqW4OD2P

— PFA (@PFA) April 22, 2018

"I think it's really special to win both of the awards. One is just as important as the other," Kirby told Sky Sports News.

"For me, the PFA award is voted for by people I am playing against week in week out, so it's nice to feel that I am respected by them, but also by people who are watching as well, the experts.

"It's nice to win both awards and feel like people respect me as a footballer."

Kirby has scored 22 times in all competitions for Women's Super League leaders Chelsea this season and played a key role in the team's Champions League campaign.