WHEN Sam Allardyce was asked to give his vote for Player of the Year he had no hesitation - "Gareth Farrelly!" he barked out.

It was not, all due respect to the Irish midfielder, a nomination that met with universal approval.

But, while he has been delighted by the performances and leadership qualities of his captain Gudni Bergsson, who did more than just keep his side of the bargain he made when he agreed to stay on for another year, eulogised over the impact Colin Hendry has made and acknowledged the undisputed influence and importance of Dean Holdsworth, it's the Dubliner's performances this season that have given the Wanderers' boss most satisfaction.

"Gareth is controlling the midfield and controlling the game," he explained recently in an accolade that meant as much to the player as a cabinet full of glittering awards.

For Farrelly has worked hard to make his mark at the Reebok this season after a sequence of setbacks that made life so difficult in the early days after his transfer from Everton.

After scoring with his first touch of the ball on his debut at Sheffield United in November 1999, his life was turned upside down by the sudden death of his father. Injuries, a suspension for a red card in the reserves and a subsequent loss of form meant he made only a handful of appearances last season but he never whinged and never lost faith that the switch from Goodison to the Reebok would pay off.

Emotional blow

A second bereavement in his close-knit family brought another emotional blow but it was evident early in the season, after he had spent the summer doing extra work on his fitness, that he was becoming a major influence in the midfield of a team that would end the campaign as the second highest goalscorers in the division.

When Michael Ricketts bagged his brace and the limelight in the thrilling 3-2 win at Huddersfield in September it was Farrelly's contribution that was acknowledged by the goal star and the rest of his team-mates.

With an appreciative manager offering him the continuity of selection, the Republic of Ireland international went on to enjoy the longest run he has ever had since coming through the youth ranks at Aston Villa.

It was never going to be easy for a player whose previous claim to fame was scoring the goal that kept Everton in the Premiership at Wanderers' expense on the final day of the 1997-98 season but he made no apologies for that when he became Allardyce's first signing 18 months ago and has been as committed as anyone to getting them back in the top flight.