Football Writers' Association

The Football Writers' Association (the FWA) is an association of England football journalists and correspondents writing for newspapers and agencies, founded in 1947 by Charles Buchan, Messrs Cole, Roy Peskett, and Archie Quick.

History

The choice to create the Football Writers' Association (FWA) was made on September 2, 1947, by four journalists, Charles Buchan, Messrs Cole, Roy Peskett, and Archie Quick while aboard a boat in the middle of the English Channel that was returning from a football match in which England beat Belgium 5-2. The four men formalized a few of the newborn association's rules and regulations within one month. Some of the rules initially created were that membership to the FWA would be invitation only and that they would exclusively send invitations to “working journalists who are accredited football correspondents for newspapers and agencies.” It was also determined that the Football Writers' Association's headquarters would be in London, England and the membership fee would be five guineas for the first year of membership with a recurring annual payment of two guineas each year after. Furthermore, the men had decided that there would be a vote held annually for all members that would decide the recipient of the prestigious Footballer of the Year Award, which is still today the oldest and most distinguished award given in the domestic game. The award was originally presented at the annual dinner, which was held on the night before the FA Cup Final, but was later changed to the Thursday preceding every FA Cup Final.