WeAreBrighton.com End of Season Awards 2016/17 - The
Polls
We've finally done it
- Brighton and Hove Albion are, at long last, in the
Premier League. Chris Hughton's side got the job done
with three games to spare and although there was a quite
superb cock up in blowing a seven point lead at the top
with three games remaining to surrender the title to
Newcastle United, no-one will remember that in 20 years
time.
Now is the time to recognise
the achievements of only the second set of Albion players
ever to win promotion to the top flight, with the WeAreBrighton.com End of Season Awards
2016-17. There are 13 categories to chose from including the
coveted Player of the Season award won by such names as Inigo Calderon, Andrew Crofts, Glenn Murray, Liam Bridcutt and Stephen Ward
who all left within six months of taking the crown. Curse,
what curse?
To celebrate promotion, we've
introduced a brand new Penalty Save of the Season (which at
least guarantees David Stockdale an award before he leaves
for Chelsea) and we've also bought back the popular Own Goal
of the Season for the first time since 2014.
It's been a fantastic
campaign so let us round it off in style with some fantastic
voting - Happy voting!
WeAreBrighton.com Player of the Season
Previous Winners: Bruno (2016) Inigo Calderon (2015) Stephen Ward (2014), Liam Bridcutt (2013, 2012), Glenn Murray (2011),
Andrew Crofts (2010)
Sam Baldock:
Had his fair share of detractors after two
pretty unproductive seasons since signing for
Bristol City, but formed an outstanding
partnership with Glenn Murray, scoring 12 times
and earning a deserved shot at the Premier
League.
Bruno:
The captain may not have quite hit the heights
of last season but he was still superb
throughout the campaign at right back, becoming
just the second man to lead the Albion into the
top flight.
Lewis Dunk:
Bar his now-expected silly sending offs, this
was another superb season for the centre back
who was one of the first names on the team
sheet. A huge part of the Albion's impressive
defensive record.
Shane Duffy:
Justified every penny of his club-record £4m fee
after arriving a few weeks into the season from
Blackburn to form arguably the best defensive
partnership in the division alongside Dunk.
Anthony Knockaert:
Picked up exactly where he left off from last
season, giving opposition full backs nightmares,
scoring an outrageous 15 times from out wide and
sweeping his way to being named the Championship
Player of the Season.
Glenn Murray:
Amazing to think there were some fans who
questioned the wisdom in re-signing him,
initially on-loan, from Bournemouth in the
summer. His 23 goals made the ultimate
difference between this season and last.
Dale Stephens:
Once it became apparent - despite his transfer
request - that he wasn't going to get his move
to Burnley, the midfielder knuckled down and
earned his chance to be a Premier League player
with the Albion.
David Stockdale:
Won the Albion at least seven points with his
penalty heroics alone, he pulled off vital save
after vital save throughout the campaign. If it
was to be his last as a Brighton player, he
signed off in some style.
Goal of the
Season
Previous Winners: Jiri Skalak (2016) Rohan Ince (2015), Jake Forster-Caskey (2014),
Craig Mackail-Smith (2013), Inigo Calderon
(2012), Liam Bridcutt (2011), Gary Dicker
(2010)
Dale
Stephens v Wigan Athletic away:
A pretty mediocre match against Wigan needed something special to break the
deadlock. Substitute Dale Stephens provided
it, bending an effort into the top corner
from 25 yards for the only goal of the game.
Steve
Sidwell v Bristol City away:
The veteran midfielder picked up the ball
inside his own half and there appeared
little on with no options ahead of him -
except of course if he tried to lob the
goalkeeper from a full 45 yards. Which is
exactly what he did.
Sam Baldock v
Fulham home: Dale Stephens goal bound
header is cleared away by the Fulham
defence, the danger seemingly over. That is
until Sam Baldock meets it with a quite
beautiful crushing volley into the bottom
right corner.
Sam Baldock v
Barnsley away:
Oh look, it's Baldock again. Collecting a
pass from Anthony Knockaert, the striker
flicks the ball up with the outside of his
right boot before smashing a dipping volley
over the goalkeeper and into the back of the
net.
Anthony
Knocakert
v Derby County home:
The French Magician's ability on the ball
causes all manner of problems as he glides
his way inside from the right before letting
rip with a monstrous effort from outside of
the box.
Sebastien
Pocognoli v QPR
away:
There were more than a few eyebrows raised
when the on-loan left back stood over a free
kick at QPR. They were swiftly unraised as
he bent a stunning delivery over the wall
and into the top corner of the goal via the
crossbar.
Last Minute Goal of the
Season
Previous Winners: Steve Sidwell (2016), Inigo Calderon (2015), Leonardo Ulloa (2014), David
Lopez (2013), Will Buckley
(2012)
Tomer Hemed
v Burton Albion away:
Burton were proving to be dogged opponents on
the Albion's visit to the Pirelli
Stadium and a 0-0 draw seemed on the cards until
Tomer Hemed showed the coolest of heads to net
an 88th minute penalty for three points.
Glenn Murray
v Birmingham City away:
Solly March rising from the substitutes bench
had turned the game at St Andrews on its head
after Birmingham looked firmly in control at
1-0. The comeback was completed with Glenn
Murray's 90th minute winner.
Tomer Hemed
v Brentford away:
A ridiculous game had seen Brentford go 3-2
ahead in the 93rd minute. In the 96th minute,
Tomer Hemed added Brighton's third as this
squads never-say-die attitude was in full
evidence.
Own Goal of the
Season
Previous Winners: Tomasz Kuszczak (2014), Dean
Hammond (2013)
Lewis Dunk v
Sheffield Wednesday home:
Oliver Norwood diverts a cross towards his own
goal and, as if that already wasn't enough of an
issue, Lewis Dunk confounds things by heading
the deflected ball past David Stockdale minutes
before half time.
Fikayo Tomori v
Lincoln City away:
There are ways to mark your debut for a new
club. The on-loan Chelsea youngster chose one of
the best, turning a cross past Casper Ankergren
to put non-league Lincoln 2-1 up and heading for
a shock FA Cup win.
David
Stockdale first v Norwich City away:
Knowing victory would secure the Championship
title, the Albion fell 1-0 behind in freakish
circumstances away at Norwich after Alex
Pritchard's shot rebounded off the bar, onto
David Stockdale's back and in.
David
Stockdale second v Norwich City away:
And then 20 minutes later history repeated
itself as virtually the same thing happened
again, this time Pritchard curling against a
post, onto David Stockdale's back and in.
Penalty
Save of the Season
Previous Winners: New category!
David Stockdale v Fulham away: Fulham
had been the better side and a Bruno
handball gave them the chance to take a
deserved first half lead. David Stockdale
had other ideas though, keeping the kick out
in front of the 7,000 strong away end.
David Stockdale v Sheffield Wednesday home:
Wednesday are 1-0 up, Glenn Murray has been
sent off and Fernando Forestieri has the
chance to surely secure the win. Cue a
brilliant double stop from David Stockdale.
We went on to win the game.
David Stockdale
v Brentford away: Having already dived
to his right, David Stockdale showed superb
reactions to stick out a leg and keep out
Lasse Vibe's spot kick that was heading
straight down the middle with his knee.
Celebration of the Season
Previous Winners: Knockaert & Hemed (2016)
Anthony
Knockaert v Sheffield
Wednesday away:
Anthony Knockaert secures the Albion's first
ever win at Hillsborough, and celebrates by
sprinting over to the Wednesday faithful and
going mad in front of them. Cheeky little sod.
Steve Sidwell
v Bristol City away:
The goal was a stunner and the celebration was
a choker, as the entire squad headed to the away
bench to hold up the shirt of Anthony Knockaert,
absent due to his father's death.
Glenn Murray v
Birmingham City away:
For a man who was once criticised for not
clapping the away support, Glenn Murray went mad
after his 90th minute winner at Birmingham
sprinting the length of the pitch to celebrate
in front of the away support.
Anthony
Knockaert v
QPR home: Anthony Knockaert's first goal
since his dad died came two months later, and he
dedicated it to him by holding a framed photo to
the heavens in front of an appreciative Amex
Stadium.
Sam Baldock v
Barnsley away:
Sam Baldock has history for interesting
celebrations and this one was certainly in that
category as he impersonated a character from
Mario Kart, claiming he had been playing a lot
of it recently.
Glenn Murray
v Aston Villa away:
One of the big plusses of Glenn Murray's
return was the chance to see "the Glenn"
celebration again. He made us wait all bloody
season but there it was in the final game after
his goal at Aston Villa.
Memorable Moment of the Season
Previous Winners: Sheffield Wednesday home
(2016) Fulham away (2015), Forest away (2014), Palace
home (2013), Doncaster home
(2012), Charlton away
(2011), Southampton away (2010)
Norwich City
home:
Norwich arrived at the Amex as one of the
strongly fancied teams to win an immediate
return to the Premier League. They were
completely blown away however as the Albion ran
riot, enhancing their promotion credentials with
a 5-0 win.
Together for
Anthony Knockaert:
The team spirit among this group of players
became evident after the death of Anthony
Knockaert's father, with the players dedicating
a goal, a win and even travelling to France for
the funeral.
Birmingham
City away:
70 minutes gone and we were heading for
another away defeat. 20 minutes and two goals
later and the promotion dream was alive.
Birmingham away was a vital point in the season.
Fulham away:
And so was Fulham away. This time it was 89
minutes of dirge from the Albion with 60 seconds
of sheer bliss in which we managed to score
twice to take a 2-1 victory in front of 7,000
away fans at Craven Cottage.
Wigan
Athletic home:
The moment it finally happened. A 2-1 victory
over Wigan Athletic secured Brighton's place in
the Premier League and with it came a pitch
invasion, scenes of Amex euphoria and one of the
biggest parties the city has ever seen.
The promotion
parade:
Yes, we know it seems a bit odd to have a
parade celebrating coming second. But 100,000
people packed the streets on an absolutely
brilliant evening that summed up just what an
unforgettable season 2016/17 has been.
Dismissal of the Season
Previous Winners: Dale Stephens (2016), Adrian Colunga (2015), Leonardo Ulloa (2014), Ashley
Barnes (2013), Mauricio Taricco (2012,
2011), Colin Hawkins (2010)
Sam Baldock v
Newcastle United away:
Brighton lost their unbeaten start to the
season away at St James Park against promotion
rivals Newcastle and to make matters worse, Sam
Baldock is dismissed for two bookings for two
stupid fouls.
Dale
Stephens v
Ipswich Town away: Having just earned
his place in the starting XI back after
agitating for a move to Burnley, Dale
Stephens does the best thing possible for
keeping the shirt by getting sent off in a
0-0 draw at Ipswich.
Gaetan Bong
v Cardiff City away: Gaetan Bong had had
a pretty trouble free first 20 minutes at
Cardiff in one of the most boring games
known to man. God only knows how he managed
to pick up two bookings for two fouls then,
the second in injury time.
Glenn
Murray v Sheffield Wednesday home:
The previous three red cards may have been
pretty boring, but Glenn Murray's against
Wednesday was excellent as he picked up a
straight
red for catching the ball in the box to
prevent a Wednesday goal.
Lewis Dunk v
Huddersfield Town away:
A big game against a promotion rival away
from home live on Sky? Step forward Lewis
Dunk for his annual completely ridiculous
and ultimately costly red card, this time
for two ludicrous tackles on Izzy Brown.
Flair
Moment of the Season
Previous Winners: Colin Calderwood (2016), Chris O'Grady (2015), Andrea Orlandi (2014), Liam
Bridcutt (2013), Vicente (2012), Cristian Baz
(2011), Inigo Calderon (2010)
Gordon Greer
is sent off:
He may no longer play for the Albion, but Gordon
Greer showed he is Brighton through and through
with a fantastic red card for his new club
Blackburn, helping us to a big three points in a
tough game at Ewood Park.
Shane Duffy
on Twitter:
The most followed tweeter in the squad had an
interesting season with one drunk session in
which he posted about each individual player and
how much he loved them, not to mention his
comments after Martin McGuinness died.
David
Stockdale does keepy uppies:
Not playing well when 1-0 down at Nottingham
Forest is probably the worst scenario for your
goalkeeper to start doing keepy uppies. Fair
play then David Stockdale who made a total hash
of it to gift Forest their second.
David
Stockdale scores two own goals:
Only a handful of players scored twice past
David Stockdale this season - and one of them
was himself after he managed two identical own goals in 20
minutes
Blowing the
title despite a seven point lead with three
games left:
Seven points ahead. Three games left. It's hard
to see how that can be cocked up but in true
Brighton and Hove Albion style, we managed it.
Villain of the Season
Previous Winners: Mike Dean (2016), David Burke (2015), Nigel Adkins (2014), El Hadj
Diouf (2013), Glenn Murray (2012). Nigel Adkins
(2011), Dean Hammond (2010)
Colin
Calderwood:
Chris Hughton's assistant manager was placed
on gardening leave mid season after deciding he
wanted to go to Aston Villa. He eventually did
depart and is now looking forward to another
season in the Championship.
Fog:
Having gone five seasons without so much as
a hint of the problems fog can cause at the
Amex, this season we had the Cardiff game
postponed a few hours before kick off and nearly
lost two others to mother natures cruellest
trick.
Yann
Kermogant:
Not so much a footballer as a thug. The
French striker put Liam Rosenior out of action
for four months after a horror tackle broke the
defenders ankle as well as inflicting ligament
damage on him. Somehow the bastard was only
booked.
Leeds fans:Not
only did one fan of the Europe's biggest club
attack Uwe Hunemeier as he was pushed into the
crowd, but they took great joy in singing
"You'll **** it up" after winning 2-0 at Elland
Road. Of course, they didn't even make the play
offs.
Alex
Pritchard:
The Spurs youngster could've become the
Albion's record signing with a deal all but
done. Until he got "stuck in traffic" on the
M25, turned his car around and drove to Norwich
instead. How did that one work out for you?
David Wagner:
Turning up the mind games, the Huddersfield
boss came out at the beginning of March and
described Brighton as "end of season chokers".
We were promoted, his side won three of their
last 10. Bless.
Look-a-like of the Season
Previous Winners: Jesus Christ (2016), Neil from The Inbetweeners
(2015)
Sam Baldock -
Ed Miliband: We've got another bloody election to get
through this year. Thankfully, Ed Miliband no
longer being Labour leader means that we won't
have to take a second glance to work out what
Sam Baldock is doing on the Daily Politics.
Lewis Dunk
- Neil from The Inbetweeners:
Neil may have been the thick one, and Lewis
Dunk likes picking up thick red cards. That is
about the only similarity along with looks
between these two however.
Chris Hughton
- Barack Obama:
Barack Obama's eight year presidency may not
have changed America as much as everyone hoped
it would, but Chris Hughton's two and a half
year management of the Albion certainly has our
football club.
Glenn Murray
- Prince William:
Both have gone bald into the 30s and both are
considered royalty by their subjects. Would
Prince William have netted 23 times for a side
promoted from the Championship? We doubt it,
especially as he is a Villa fan.
Oliver
Norwood
- Shirley from EastEnders:
God knows what was going through Oliver
Norwood's head when he decided to bleach his
hair, but we very much doubt it was a desire to
look like Shirley from EastEnders which has been
the outcome.
Sexiest Player of the Season
Previous Winners: Inigo Calderon (2016, 2015), Andrea Orlandi (2014, 2013),
Vicente (2012)
Shane Duffy:
Virtually everybody loves an Irishman, let
alone one who loves to party. Shane Duffy ticks
both those boxes as well as being tall and
muscular. We thought the defence was buggered in
terms of looks with Gordon Greer going, but we
were wrong.
Tomer Hemed:
If you can marry a former Miss Israel then you
must be a handsome man. And Tomer Hemed very
much is in that category, even if he has spent a
large proportion of this season sitting on the
substitutes bench.
Solly March:
Boyish good looks, an England under 21
international and one of the most exciting
players in the team. Solly March seems destined
for the top and you know he is going to do it
looking bloody handsome.
Sebastien
Pocognoli:
With Belgium having such romantic places as
Bruges and Gent, it is little surprise that the
only Belgian member of the promotion winning
squad was an extremely good looking left back.
Steve Sidwell:
We love a ginger and Steve Sidwell is a great
ginger, and an experienced one at that. There is
a reason his song involves the line "I'd let you
shag my wife", and it's not just because it
rhymes well.
Dale Stephens:
Given our past experience of the ugliness of
most of the folks who live in Burnley, was it
any surprise that Dale Stephens decided to
remain with Brighton? He's bulked up over the
summer to look even better.
Best Bald Head of the Season
Previous Winners: Bruno (2016, 2015, 2014, 2013),
Gordon Greer (2012)
Bruno:
Bruno has dominated this award, winning it for
the past four seasons in succession - every year
since his arrival at the club, in fact. Teemed
with his hipster beard, it's hard to see him not
winning it again.
Niki Maenpaa:
Finally made his league debut this season, the
goalkeeper is another who believes in the power
of the "head on upside down" look as he also
combines it nicely with a beard, although his is
less ISIS looking than Bruno's.
Glenn Murray:
He returned this summer from Bournemouth a
better player - older, wiser and certainly with
far less hair given the rate it is receeding at.
That hasn't stopped him scoring a ridiculous
number of headers.
Steve Sidwell:
A controversial addition to the list, but he
is certainly more bald than he was this time a
year ago and while some might say that is
because he has a close shaved hair cut, we are
saying it is because he is turning into a shiny
bonce.
