Who won the first Premier League Player of the Season award in 1994-95?

Alan Shearer won the first Premier League Player of the Season award in 1994–95.

The award was introduced during the 1994–95 campaign, when the competition was known for sponsorship purposes as the FA Carling Premiership. Shearer won it after leading Blackburn Rovers to their first Premier League title and claiming the Golden Boot with 34 goals.

Blackburn’s title race with Manchester United went to the final day, and Shearer’s goals were central to the club’s success under manager Kenny Dalglish. His 34-goal total remained the joint record for goals in a 42-game Premier League season, alongside Andy Cole’s 1993–94 tally.

A common mix-up is confusing this award with the PFA Players’ Player of the Year or the Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year. Those were separate honours. The Premier League’s own season award began in 1994–95, and Shearer was its inaugural winner. The honour later carried names such as Carling Player of the Year, Barclaycard Player of the Year and EA Sports Player of the Season.