Craig Johnston recognised with PFA award

Inaugurated in 2008, the medal is awarded annually to a current or former player who has demonstrated attributes encapsulated by Tobin, a former long serving Socceroo defender and PFA President.

The attributes are leadership, achievement as a player, commitment to fellow professionals, and service and dedication to the game.

Johnston said he was deeply honoured to be recognised by former and current Australian players including John Aloisi, Tim Cahill, Simon Colosimo, Ante Covic, Harry Kewell, Craig Moore, Paul Okon and Mark Schwarzer.

"I usually say thanks but no thanks to awards. But this is different. It's from fellow players who know how hard it is to make it in this game and that's why I am really happy to accept the honour," Johnston said.

"Alex is the most capped Socceroo and a true gentleman. It would be unthinkable not to accept an award named in his honour."

Johnston was honoured for his remarkable career with Middlesbrough and Liverpool in which he forged 271 games in the English First Division between 1977 and 1988 before retiring at 27.

In so doing, he won nine major titles with the Reds, including five First Division Championships, two Football League Cups, the FA Cup and the European Cup.

He scored the winning goal in the 1986 FA Cup Final when Liverpool became only the third club in the 20th century to win England's League/Cup double.