Gareth Bale named Welsh player of the year for the fourth time

Gareth Bale has set a new record after being voted Welsh footballer of the year for the fourth time.

Both Mark Hughes and John Hartson individually received the Football Association of Wales award on three occasions but no man has previously been named Welsh player of the year four times.

The Real Madrid star retained the trophy at the FAW awards dinner at Cardiff's St David's Hotel and has now won it four times during the past five years.

Bale's incredible year saw him win the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the Copa del Rey for Real, while his performances for Wales have also caught the eye.

The 25-year-old scored both goals in Wales' opening Euro 2016 qualifier last month, a 2-1 win in Andorra, and has now scored 10 times in his last 11 internationals.

Bale also picked up the Vauxhall fans' player of the year trophy for the fourth year in succession, while three more of the main awards were retained by last year's winners.