Mark Byrnes awarded Sydney Tigers ?Player of the Year? for 2009

Byrnes snagged the trophy and was ahead on votes with defender Michael West finishing second and striker Franco Parisi finishing third.
The 27-year-old has had an illustrious season thus far in his playing career having played for the likes of Austria Salzburg (Austria), Vicenza Calcio (Italy), FC Hameenlinna (Finland), Sydney Olympic, Perth Glory and the Melbourne Victory before settling with the Sydney Tigers in 2008.
In what was a difficult season for the Tigers who finished eleventh in the TeleChoice Premier League, Byrnes? heroics in both the club?s back-line and midfield was a standout however in what was an otherwise ordinary year for the former NSL giants.
Along with a trophy, Byrnes also won himself a trip to next year?s Viareggio Tournament where he will act as the club?s assistant coach when the Tigers youth squad travels to Italy to compete in the prestigious world youth tournament.

-By Mark Stavroulakis