Brighton and Hove Albion - Features Section

We Are Brighton End of Season Awards 2009/10 - The Results

The first ever wearebrighton.com End of Season Award winners were announced on the May 8th addition of the Albion Moan In. Now, yes, we are aware that there were a few slight technical issues with that particular show whereby the first 15 minutes did not actually broadcast, so here is a full list of the winners that you selected. And unlike the General Election, they were straight out winners - no need to form any sort of coalition here. Congratulations to all our winners!

wearebrighton.com Player of the Season 2009/10: Andrew Crofts (33% of the vote) Andrew Crofts began the season steadily if not spectacularly following his free transfer from Gillingham but it was with the arrival of Gus Poyet and his elevation to captain that his season really took off. Chipping in with vital goals from midfield, the Welshman was a solid performer throughout the year and this was recognised when John Toshack recalled him to the national squad.

Goal of the Season: Gary Dicker v Exeter City (H) (39%) Despite fierce competition from a couple of Elliott Bennett "worldies", most notably the stunning strike away at Oldham Athletic, it was Gary Dicker's stunning first time volley in the 2-0 Withdean win over Exeter City that took the award. With the ball dropping to him some 30 yards out from goal, the midfielder took a vicious swing at it with his right foot, sending the ball sailing through the air before dipping over the hapless Grecians 'keeper to send the Withdean crowd wild

Memorable Moment of the Season: Southampton Away (40%) A local derby, live on Sky, against opposition featuring two of your youth team products and a former manager in the dugout in which defeat would see you replace them in the relegation zone. All the ingredients for a cracker - and that is exactly what it was at St Mary's, as Gus Poyet's first game in charge saw the Albion cruise to an unexpected yet convincing 3-1 victory in front of 3000 travelling fans.

Manager of the Season: Gus Poyet (85%) He arrived with three months of the season gone, and in his time in charge he has overseen a remarkable turnaround in both form and playing style. Gustavo was the hot favourite for this award, and he has seen off Russell Slade's disappointing start to the campaign and Martin Hinshelwood's thrilling 4-4 draw at Wycombe to take the crown, helped in part by his brand of "flicky flicky" football that has graced the Withdean since January

Dismissal of the Season: Colin Hawkins v Stockport (H) (54%) Polling over 50% of the vote, it was another great moment for the Colin Hawkins DVD. The Hawk had earnt the nickname calamity last season with own goals and penalties galore, and in his only appearance of the 2009/10 campaign he lived up to it again. Coming on to shore up the defence following Tommy Elphick's dismissal, Hawkins lasted around 90 seconds before giving away a penalty of his own and being shown a straight red card as a result.

Flair Moment of the Season: Inigo Calderon goal and celebration v Charlton (A) (42%) He may have walked out on the club and manager who saved his football career for the money on offer at St Marys, but Inigo Calderon will still go down as one of the flairest players ever to pull on the stripes. Perhaps his finest moment was away at Charlton, when a marauding run from right back saw him open the scoring with a rasping shot from thirty yards out, before celebrating with an extremely flair celebration that involved the rubbing of his boot.

Villain of the Season: Dean Hammond (62%) Dean Hammond, despite his falling out with Dick Knight and subsequent departure, was still a well respected figure.. That was until his April 1st 2010. With the Saints taking an absolute hammering at Withdean, a fortunate equaliser for the visitors saw Hammond decide to run the length of the South Stand celebrating like a school girl. In one fell swoop, he had become more hated than Dan Harding.

Gullys Girl  of the Season: Maddy (46%) Another fiercely contested battle for all the gentelman out there to vote in in which there was something of a shock result which saw Maddy take home the trophy. Most people had expected bleach blonde Jo to be the victor (vote for her for a Help for Heroes calendar HERE), but the brown hair and long legs of one of the lesser-known Gullys Girls took her to victory. But who are we kidding - they are all bloody fit Albion Related Podcast of the Season: The Albion Moan In (51%) No, this was result was not rigged (honestly!), the Albion Moan In came in at the top of the pile when it comes to Albion related podcasts. With fierce competition from Comedy Steve's excellent official podcast and Radio Reverb's Albion Roar, it was our very own Moan In that came in top, thanks to its combination of mental callers, "you can't say that moments", and of course, the Richie Barker song which closes every show Albion Moan In Caller of the Season: Gangsta Al (40%) There have been some great callers this season - Charles and his hatred of Nicky Forster, Rupert's disillusionment reaching the stage where he became an Arsenal fan, Beach Hut and Ninja Elephant actually wanting to talk football and Lionel with his wacky array of background music. Gangster Al and his connections to Brighton's underworld and the resulting stories he was able to tell was a worthy winner though - not to mention the sacrifice he makes to his vocal chords