The likes of Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, El-Hadji Diouf and Emmanuel Adebayor drew much vitriol from our hacks as we discussed the players that permanently get our backs up.

And there was a massive response from our army of readers, who all relished the task of unmasking their most hated Premier League villains.

Now it's the turn of the heroes to emerge from the shadows and receive plaudits for their brilliance and attempts to keep the reputations of professional footballers in tact.

We're looking for those players who, even if they play for your arch rivals or most despised team, can't help but draw admiration - and have you dreaming of them one day pulling on your beloved team's shirt.

This time we're going to spread the net outside of England's top tier to include Europe and the Football League's finest - and want to hear all your thoughts so don't forget to use our story comment facility and get the debate going on the Your Say pages too.

Simon Wilkes, West Brom fan

Brad Friedel (GK) - Whether he's fighting off the Golden Army or keeping the creme de la Prem's strikers at bay, the American is all class and has served Liverpool, Blackburn and Villa with utter professionalism and distinction.

Glen Johnson (RB) - OK, he's been a rogue off the pitch at times but I just love his complete abandonment of defensive duties in the name of piling forward trying to set up goals.

Leighton Baines (LB) - Rarely heard spouting off to the media, can place the ball on a six pence and has the sweetest of left pegs.

Matthew Upson (CB) - Should be England's first-choice centre-back to partner Terry in my opinion as he offers more balance and guts than Rio.

Brede Hangeland (CB) - Has constantly reiterated his happiness at Fulham, despite admiring glances from Arsenal. Gets the job done quietly without screaming and bawling at his team-mates.

Aaron Lennon (RW) - A controversial selection maybe but I just love the fear and confusion he draws from defenders when running full pelt at them, arms and legs flapping wildly like the penguins from Mary Poppins.

Ryan Giggs (LW) - Like a fine wine he seems to be getting better with age and now moves through the gears like a Rolls Royce rather than a Porsche.

Cesc Fabregas (CM) - He probably inspires more column inches than any other Gunner - but rarely of his own doing, it's just that every single team in world football would sign him if they could, such is his brilliance and class.

Joe Cole (CM) - Along with Rooney should be one of the first names of Capello's team sheet now he's fit. He still seems like the excitable kid that exploded onto the scene with West Ham - but now has a much bigger bag of tricks and flicks to mesmerise us with.

Peter Crouch (CF) - Provides us with great fun in describing him (gangly goalgetter, beanpole hitman, long-legged lothario) and always seems to play with a smile on his face. Punching weigh above his weight with Abby Clancy - but I don't even begrudge him that!

Kaka (CF) - OK so he finally left Milan for big-spending Real in the summer, but the Italians desperately needed the cash. The soul-searching he did before turning down Man City, where he probably could've earned a much bigger wedge, ensured his nice-guy reputation remained untouched. Also a pleasure to watch with the ball at his feet.

Jon Holmes, Plymouth Argyle fan

Trevor Carson (GK) - It's a cracker. The Sunderland stopper is the nephew of Frank Carson so he's bound to have a few gags up his sleeve. Well it was either him or Jens Lehmann.

Moritz Volz (RB) - Sign him up! Poor old Moritz is still without a club after being released by Fulham. The benefit for us is he gets to do lots of media work. The funniest German since, well, Lehmann. But much more likeable. Check out his website here.

Richard Stearman (CB) - Chosen purely because he is so polite. Made a point of saying 'thank you' to the ball boy near us at an England U21 game in Sweden in the summer every time he threw him the ball back. A rare breed. Well done to Mr and Mrs Stearman.

John Paintsil (CB) - Any man who does a lap of honour at the end of the match to applaud all the fans in the stadium deserves recognition.

Gael Clichy (LB) - Has had to mature rapidly at Arsenal and continues to impress. Very well spoken and chatty in interviews. Almost died as a youngster - his heart stopped beating for 15 seconds - which maybe explains why he seems to simply love playing football so much.

Dan Gosling (RW) - Had to pick a former Argyle player, didn't I? Am going to go for Gossie as he has a great attitude, and has already made himself an Everton legend with that FA Cup goal. Still only 19 and has a big future ahead of him. The pride of Devon. Don't let us down Dan!

Wade Elliott (LW) - Never thought I'd pick a Burnley player, but here goes. Elliott mainly gets my vote for his post-match interview after the play-off final. Came across as humble, hugely excited about having scored the winner at Wembley and was funny to boot. Worked his way up from non-league too, which always gains respect in my book.

Clint Dempsey (CM) - Simply an inspirational guy and also hard as nails. Came from a poor Texas background and fell in love with 'soccer' after playing with local Mexican kids. Came through the tragic death of his beloved sister from a brain aneurysm and despite everything, he made it to the top. And he raps.

Jimmy Bullard (CM) - An obvious one. But with so many footballers taking themselves way too seriously in the modern game, Bullard continues to make me chuckle and despite his injury problems, he is still worth having in the dressing room. Although picking up £45,000 every week means he always has the last laugh.

Peter Crouch (CF) - First on the dancefloor, guaranteed. But as well as that, he is a tremendously hard-working player and very generous to his team-mates. Plus he looks like one of my best mates. And he's in the top 20 England goalscorers of all time! Of all time! Which for a man of his unusual physique is some achievement.

Thierry Henry (CF) - One of the all-time great goalscorers for a start, but he also works hard for UNICEF, anti-racism campaigns and various other worthy causes. Plus, as this YouTube clip proves, he likes a giggle. Va va voom indeed.