Tuesday 14 November 2017, 15:08

GORILLA named UK's Esports Player of the Year

  • Spencer ‘GORILLA’ Ealing honoured at the Esports Industry Awards

  • Ealing won the FIFA Interactive World Cup (FIWC) in August

  • “It’s a huge privilege and tops off a great year”

Spencer ‘GORILLA’ Ealing, the last player to win a FIFA Interactive World Cup, has been crowned the UK's Esports Player of the Year at the annual Esports Industry Awards.

Ealing was honoured for a landmark year that peaked in August, when he won the FIWC 2017 Grand Final in London. It was a case of second time lucky at the Esports Industry Awards for the Englishman, who spoke afterwards of his delight at picking up the award.

"Last year, I was nominated for the Esports Player of the Year; unfortunately I didn't win it," he said. "I knew I was nominated for that award again this year, and also the UK Player of the Year. I thought I had a chance of winning, and I did, so it's a huge privilege and tops off a great year for me."

Ealing earned USD 200,000 for his victory in London at the Grand Final of the Virtual World Cup along with a ticket to The Best FIFA Football Awards, where he rubbed shoulders with football’s biggest stars.

He wasn’t the only FIFA esports player be nominated at last night’s awards ceremony in London. Shaun 'xShellzz' Springette, who shone at the Berlin Grand Final, also featured on the shortlist for Esports Rookie of the Year in the console category.