Gareth Bale wins Welsh player award for record fourth time

Gareth Bale scored the winner for Wales in their opening Euro 2016 qualifier against Andorra in September 2014

Real Madrid's Gareth Bale has won the Welsh player of the year award for a record fourth time in five years.

Bale surpasses former Wales strikers Mark Hughes and John Hartson, who both won the Football Association of Wales award three times.

The 25-year-old enjoyed an impressive first season following his world record £85m transfer to the Spanish giants.

He scored the winner in the Copa Del Rey final and a decisive goal as Real won the Champions League 4-1.

The former Tottenham and Southampton player also picked up the fans' award at the dinner at St David's Hotel in Cardiff.

He was there with the rest of the Wales squad, who are in the Welsh capital preparing for their two home Euro 2016 qualifiers, against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Cyprus on 10 and 13 October.

Tottenham's former Swansea full-back Ben Davies was young player of the year, with his ex-team-mate Ashley Williams named club player of the year for the fourth year in a row.

Jess Fishlock also won the women's player of the year for a fourth time, with Bristol Academy's Angharad James retaining the women's young player accolade.

Cardiff City's Michelle Green, who won her 95th cap this year for Wales Women, took the club player title.

TNS' Scott Ruscoe was voted the Welsh Premier clubman of the year and former Wales and Everton captain Kevin Ratcliffe and Swansea City Ladies secretary Julie Lowe, picked up long service awards.

A special award was also given to outgoing Wales Women manager Jamo Matikainen.