The Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year (often called the PFA Team of the Year, or simply the Team of the Year) is an annual award given to a set of 55 footballers across the top four tiers of men's English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, as well as the women's FA WSL, who are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year". Peter Shilton currently holds the most appearances in the PFA Team of the Year in the top division with 10 appearances. Steven Gerrard currently holds the most appearances in the PFA Team of the Year in the Premier League era with eight appearances.
The award has been presented since the 1973–74 season and the shortlist is compiled by the members of the players' trade union, the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), in January of every year, with the winners then being voted for by the other players in their respective divisions. The award is regarded by players in the Football League as the highest accolade available to them, due to it being picked by their fellow professionals. Oxford United's Damian Batt, who was named in the Team of the Year for League Two in 2011, said he was "very pleased to be given such a prestigious award. It is something that I am very proud of". In 2014, a team for female players competing in the FA WSL was selected for the first time.
Key Heading key: Pos. – Position; App. – Number of appearances in a PFA Team of the Year. Position key: GK – Goalkeeper; DF – Defender; MF – Midfielder; FW – Forward. Players marked appeared in a first tier PFA Team of the Year more than once. Players marked appeared in a second tier PFA Team of the Year more than once. Players marked * appeared in a third tier PFA Team of the Year more than once. Players marked ¤ appeared in a fourth tier PFA Team of the Year more than once.
Winners 1979–80 Source
First Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKPeter Shilton Nottingham Forest4DFViv Anderson Nottingham Forest2DFDavid Watson Southampton4DFDavid O'Leary Arsenal2DFKenny Sansom Crystal Palace4MFTerry McDermottLiverpool1MFLiam Brady Arsenal3MFGlenn HoddleTottenham Hotspur2FWKenny Dalglish Liverpool2FWDavid JohnsonLiverpool1FWGarry BirtlesNottingham Forest1
Second Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKPhil ParkesWest Ham United1DFKirk StephensLuton Town1DFColin ToddBirmingham City4DFBilly BondsWest Ham United2DFMark DennisBirmingham City1MFArchie GemmillBirmingham City1MFTrevor Brooking West Ham United4MFAlan DevonshireWest Ham United1FWClive AllenQueens Park Rangers1FWPeter Withe Newcastle United2FWDavid MossLuton Town2
Third Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKJohn JacksonMillwall1DFGerry ForrestRotherham United1DFBill GreenChesterfield1DFMark SmithSheffield Wednesday1DFKevin MooreGrimsby Town1MFAlejandro SabellaSheffield United1MFJoe WatersGrimsby Town2MFRay McHaleSwindon Town1FWAndy RowlandSwindon Town1FWAlan MayesSwindon Town2FWTerry CurranSheffield Wednesday1
Fourth Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKJohn TurnerTorquay United1DFMalcolm BrownHuddersfield Town1DFKeith OakesNewport County1DFSteve BainesBradford City1DFJoe HinniganWigan Athletic1MFJoe LaidlawPortsmouth1MFMurray BrodieAldershot1MFTerry BrisleyPortsmouth1FWAlan BuckleyWalsall5FWDon PennWalsall1FWIan RobinsHuddersfield Town1
1980–81 Source
First Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKPeter Shilton Nottingham Forest5DFKenny SwainAston Villa1DFRussell OsmanIpswich Town1DFAllan EvansAston Villa1DFKenny Sansom Arsenal5MFFrans ThijssenIpswich Town1MFJohn WarkIpswich Town1MFGraeme SounessLiverpool1FWPaul MarinerIpswich Town1FWKenny Dalglish Liverpool3FWGary ShawAston Villa1
Second Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKPhil Parkes West Ham United2DFRay StewartWest Ham United1DFAlvin MartinWest Ham United1DFBilly Bonds West Ham United3DFRay O'BrienNotts County1MFTrevor Brooking West Ham United5MFTony CurrieQueens Park Rangers3MFAlan Devonshire West Ham United2FWPaul GoddardWest Ham United1FWDavid CrossWest Ham United1FWTerry CurranSheffield Wednesday2
Third Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKNicky JohnsCharlton Athletic1DFMalcolm BrownHuddersfield Town2DFIan Evans *Barnsley3DFMick McCarthyBarnsley3DFJohn Breckin *Rotherham United3MFRonnie GlavinBarnsley1MFAlan BirchChesterfield1MFDanny WilsonChesterfield1FWDave Kemp *Plymouth Argyle2FWDerek HalesCharlton Athletic1FWTony KellowExeter City1
Fourth Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKMervyn CawstonSouthend United1DFCes PoddBradford City1DFTrevor PeakeLincoln City1DFDave CusackSouthend United1DFSteve SherlockStockport County1MFBilly KellockPeterborough United1MFAlan Little ¤Doncaster Rovers2MFAnton OtulakowskiSouthend United1FWRobbie CookePeterborough United1FWDerek SpenceSouthend United1FWSteve PhillipsNorthampton Town1
1981–82 Source
First Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKPeter Shilton Nottingham Forest6DFKenny Swain Aston Villa2DFDavid O'Leary Arsenal3DFAlan HansenLiverpool1DFKenny Sansom Arsenal6MFGraeme Souness Liverpool2MFGlenn Hoddle Tottenham Hotspur3MFBryan RobsonManchester United1FWTrevor Francis Manchester City3FWKevin Keegan Southampton3FWCyrille Regis West Bromwich Albion2
Second Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKMark Wallington Leicester City2DFKirk Stephens Luton Town2DFMick McCarthyBarnsley4DFGlenn RoederQueens Park Rangers1DFSteve BuckleyDerby County1MFRicky HillLuton Town1MFIan BanksBarnsley1MFBrian Horton Luton Town3FWDavid Moss Luton Town3FWSimon StainrodQueens Park Rangers1FWPaul WalshCharlton Athletic1
Third Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKGerry PeytonFulham1DFMalcolm Brown *Huddersfield Town3DFTony GaleFulham1DFMartin DobsonBurnley1DFDave RushburyCarlisle United1MFPhil BonnymanChesterfield1MFDanny Wilson *Chesterfield2MFDick TydemanGillingham1FWGordon DaviesFulham1FWKeith CassellsOxford United1FWTony Kellow *Exeter City2
Fourth Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKKeith WaughSheffield United1DFCes Podd ¤Bradford City2DFPaul HiltonBury1DFColin MethvenWigan Athletic1DFSteve Sherlock ¤Stockport County2MFBilly Kellock ¤Peterborough United2MFRoger OsborneColchester United1MFMicky GynnPeterborough United1FWBobby CampbellBradford City1FWMark ChamberlainPort Vale1FWCraig MaddenBury1
1982–83 Source
First Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKPeter Shilton Southampton7DFDanny ThomasCoventry City1DFMark LawrensonLiverpool2DFAlan Hansen Liverpool2DFKenny Sansom Arsenal7MFBryan Robson Manchester United2MFGraeme Souness Liverpool3MFSammy LeeLiverpool1FWIan RushLiverpool1FWKenny Dalglish Liverpool4FWSteve Coppell Manchester United2
Second Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKJohn BurridgeWolverhampton Wanderers1DFJohn HumphreyWolverhampton Wanderers1DFMick McCarthy Barnsley5DFTony GaleFulham1DFJohn RyanOldham Athletic1MFKenny HibbittWolverhampton Wanderers1MFRay HoughtonFulham1MFRonnie GlavinBarnsley1FWKevin KeeganNewcastle United4FWAndy GrayWolverhampton Wanderers2FWGordon DaviesFulham2
Third Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKDavid FelgateLincoln City1DFMalcolm Brown *Huddersfield Town4DFTrevor PeakeLincoln City2DFSteve BruceGillingham1DFMicky AdamsGillingham1MFNeil WebbPortsmouth1MFDavid WilliamsBristol Rovers1MFBobby DoylePortsmouth1FWKerry DixonReading1FWAlan BileyPortsmouth1FWGlenn CockerillLincoln City1
Fourth Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKIain HesfordBlackpool1DFChris PriceHereford United1DFPaul Hilton ¤Bury2DFPhil SprosonPort Vale1DFRussell BromagePort Vale1MFMicky Gynn ¤Peterborough United2MFGary EmmanuelSwindon Town1MFGeoff HunterPort Vale1FWLes MutrieHull City1FWPaul RideoutSwindon Town1FWSteve FoxPort Vale1
1983–84 Source
First Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKPeter Shilton Southampton8DFMike DuxburyManchester United1DFMark Lawrenson Liverpool3DFAlan Hansen Liverpool3DFKenny Sansom Arsenal8MFBryan Robson Manchester United3MFGraeme Souness Liverpool4MFGlenn Hoddle Tottenham Hotspur4FWIan Rush Liverpool2FWKenny Dalglish Liverpool5FWFrank StapletonManchester United1
Second Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKAlex WilliamsManchester City1DFMel SterlandSheffield Wednesday1DFMick McCarthy Manchester City6DFMick LyonsSheffield Wednesday1DFJoey JonesChelsea1MFGary MegsonSheffield Wednesday1MFJimmy CaseBrighton & Hove Albion1MFTony GrealishBrighton & Hove Albion1FWKerry DixonChelsea2FWKevin Keegan Newcastle United5FWMark HateleyPortsmouth1
Third Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKDavid Felgate *Lincoln City2DFGordon NisbetPlymouth Argyle1DFSteve Bruce *Gillingham2DFMalcolm ShottonOxford United1DFBobby McDonaldOxford United1MFTrevor HebberdOxford United1MFKevin BrockOxford United1MFBrian FlynnBurnley1FWKeith EdwardsSheffield United1FWBilly HamiltonBurnley1FWColin MorrisSheffield United1
Fourth Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKRoger JonesYork City3DFChris Price ¤Hereford United2DFColin GreenallBlackpool1DFJohn MacPhailYork City1DFSteve RichardsonReading1MFIan SnodinDoncaster Rovers1MFJim HarveyHereford United1MFTrevor QuowPeterborough United1FWTrevor SeniorReading1FWJohn ByrneYork City1FWKeith WalwynYork City1
1984–85 Source
First Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKPeter Shilton Southampton9DFGary StevensEverton1DFMark Lawrenson Liverpool4DFKevin RatcliffeEverton1DFKenny Sansom Arsenal9MFBryan Robson Manchester United4MFPeter ReidEverton2MFKevin SheedyEverton1FWIan Rush Liverpool3FWChris WaddleNewcastle United1FWKerry DixonChelsea3
Second Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKTerry GennoeBlackburn Rovers1DFPaul ParkerFulham1DFMick McCarthy Manchester City7DFBilly GilbertPortsmouth1DFBobby McDonaldOxford United2MFNeil WebbPortsmouth2MFClive WilsonManchester City1MFDanny WilsonBrighton & Hove Albion3FWJohn AldridgeOxford United1FWBilly HamiltonOxford United2FWPaul WilkinsonGrimsby Town1
Third Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKTony NormanHull City1DFGerry ForrestRotherham United2DFPeter SkipperHull City1DFDave CusackMillwall1DFKenny MowerWalsall1MFIan SnodinDoncaster Rovers2MFStuart McCallBradford City1MFDavid Williams *Bristol Rovers2FWTony CascarinoGillingham1FWBobby CampbellBradford City2FWBobby DavisonDerby County1
Fourth Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKFred BarberDarlington1DFChris Price ¤Hereford United3DFMartin DobsonBury1DFSteve HetzkeBlackpool1DFRussell BromagePort Vale2MFJim Harvey ¤Hereford United2MFJoe JakubBury1MFTrevor Quow ¤Peterborough United2FWTony AdcockColchester United1FWStewart PhillipsHereford United1FWJohn ClaytonTranmere Rovers1
1985–86 Source
First Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKPeter Shilton Southampton10DFGary Stevens Everton2DFMark Lawrenson Liverpool5DFPaul McGrathManchester United1DFKenny Sansom Arsenal10MFGlenn Hoddle Tottenham Hotspur5MFBryan Robson Manchester United5MFStewart RobsonArsenal1FWGary LinekerEverton1FWMark HughesManchester United1FWPaul WalshLiverpool2
Second Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKChris WoodsNorwich City1DFPaul Parker Fulham2DFSteve BruceNorwich City3DFDave WatsonNorwich City1DFMark ReidCharlton Athletic1MFDanny Wilson Brighton & Hove Albion4MFIan SnodinLeeds United3MFMark AizlewoodCharlton Athletic1FWKevin DrinkellNorwich City1FWVince HilairePortsmouth1FWKeith BertschinStoke City1
Third Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKMark WallingtonDerby County3DFGordon Nisbet *Plymouth Argyle2DFSteve BuckleyDerby County2DFRoss MacLarenDerby County1DFTerry BoyleNewport County1MFJohn GregoryDerby County1MFTerry HurlockReading1MFBobby HutchinsonBristol City1FWBobby DavisonDerby County2FWTrevor SeniorReading2FWTony Cascarino *Gillingham2
Fourth Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKMike SalmonStockport County1DFChris Price ¤Hereford United4DFGeorge FosterMansfield Town1DFPhil Sproson ¤Port Vale2DFMartin PikePeterborough United1MFJim Harvey ¤Hereford United3MFKevin HirdBurnley2MFTrevor Quow ¤Peterborough United3FWStuart RimmerChester City1FWFrank WorthingtonTranmere Rovers1FWRichard CadetteSouthend United1
1986–87 Source
First Division Pos.PlayerClubApp.GKNeville SouthallEverton1DFViv Anderson Arsenal3DFAlan Hansen Liverpool4DFTony AdamsArsenal1DFKenny Sansom Arsenal11MFGlenn Hoddle Tottenham Hotspur6MFKevin Sheedy Everton2MFDavid RocastleArsenal1FWIan Rush Liverpool4FWClive AllenTottenham Hotspur2FWPeter BeardsleyNewcastle United1
Second Division