KUMB Awards

Once again there were eleven categories for readers to vote in this year, KUMB.com's fifteenth annual poll.

KUMB.com PLAYER OF THE YEAR



1. WINSTON REID (67%)
2. JAMES COLLINS (8%)
3. MO DIAME (7%)

Winston Reid is your Player of the Year for 2012/2013 having grabbed two of every three votes cast by our readers. Having endured a difficult first season in England, the Kiwi responded magnificently by grabbing last season's Most Improved Player and is now the deserved winner of The Big One in KUMB's 16th Annual Readers' Poll.

With considerably fewer votes, the returning James Collins - whose last KUMB Award was for Most Improved Player in 2006/07 - narrowly topped a close scrap for second place, whilst Mo Diame's driving runs and memorable goals were enough for you to vote him into third spot this year.

Previous Winners
2011/12 James Tomkins; 2010/11 Scott Parker; 2009/10 Scott Parker; 2008/09 Scott Parker; 2007/08 Robert Green; 2006/07 Carlos Tevez; 2005/06 Danny Gabbidon; 2004/05 Teddy Sheringham; 2003/04 Matthew Etherington; 2002/03 Joe Cole; 2001/02 Sebastien Schemmel; 2000/01 Stuart Pearce; 1999/2000 Paolo Di Canio; 1998/99 Steve Lomas; 1997/98 John Hartson.


YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR



1. DANNY POTTS (56%)
2. ROBERT HALL (11%)
3. RAVEL MORRISON (10%)

Congratulations to Danny Potts who retains his Young Player title for a second successive season, having made six appearances for Sam Allardyce's first team - including one Premier League start - this campaign.

Runner-up Robert Hall spent time on loan with Bolton and Birmingham in the Championship in addition to his three appearances in claret and blue whilst the worrying lack of young, fresh talent emerging from the Academy this season is perhaps highlighted by the inclusion of Ravel Morrison in third place; the 19-year-old has spent the entire season on loan at Birmingham.

Previous Winners
2011/12 Danny Potts; 2010/11 James Tomkins; 2009/10 Zavon Hines; 2008/09 Jack Collison; 2007/08 Mark Noble; 2006/07 Mark Noble; 2005/06 Nigel Reo-Coker; 2004/05 Mark Noble; 2003/04 Chris Cohen; 2002/03 Glenn Johnson; 2001/02 Jermain Defoe; 2000/01 Michael Carrick; 1999/2000 Michael Carrick; 1998/99 Rio Ferdinand/Frank Lampard; 1997/98 Rio Ferdinand.


GOAL OF THE SEASON



1. MO DIAME v MAN UTD (h) (PL) (46%)
2. ANDY CARROLL v WBA (h) (23%)
3. MO DIAME v CHELSEA (h) (10%)

Mo Diame only scored three goals for West Ham last season - yet only Andy Carroll's strike against West Bromwich Albion prevented the Senegalese international from taking all three spots in this year's Goal of the Season award! You decided that the best of them was his wonderful low curling effort in the 2-2 draw against Manchester United in April.

With just under half the votes cast for Diame's winning strike, Andy Carroll scored your second favourite goal of the season with a marvellous piece of skill - from a deep, James Collins delivery - that produced a deft volley from close range against Albion. Diame's goal against Chelsea that set the Hammers on their way to a famous win last December grabbed third spot, ahead of his third and final goal last season (against Arsenal).

Previous Winners
2011/12 Ricardo Vaz Te v Blackpool (n); 2010/11 Scott Parker v Liverpool (h); 2009/10 Scott Parker v Wigan (h); 2008/09 Carlton Cole v Wigan (a); 2007/08 Dean Ashton v Man Utd (a); 2006/07 Mark Noble v Bolton (h); 2005/06 Anton Ferdinand v Fulham (h); 2004/05 Bobby Zamora v Ipswich (a); 2003/04 Jon Harley v Sheffield Utd (a); 2002/03 Paolo Di Canio v Chelsea (h); 2001/02 Trevor Sinclair v Derby (h); 2000/01 Paolo Di Canio v Manchester United (a); 1999/2000 Paolo Di Canio v Wimbledon (h); 1998/99 Stan Lazaridis v Newcastle (a);1997/98 John Hartson v Aston Villa (h).


MOST MEMORABLE MATCH



1. WEST HAM UTD 3-1 CHELSEA (85%)
2. WEST HAM UTD 2-2 MAN UTD (FAC) (5%)
3. WEST HAM UTD 2-2 MAN UTD (PL) (4%)

Prior to this December meeting West Ham hadn't beaten Chelsea at home since Paolo Di Canio's strike won a 2002/03 meeting some ten years earlier. However that was all put right on a great day in East London when a spirited fightback from United saw them run out 3-1 winners thanks to second half goals from Carlton Cole, Mo Diame and Modibo Maiga. More than four of every five of you saw this as your most memorable match of 2012/13.

With a series of matches scrapping for second and third spots it was to be the two home games against Manchester United that ensured the Reds were once again well represented in our annual poll. The 2-2 FA Cup third round clash - in which West Ham were cruelly denied victory by Robin Van Persie's late equaliser - was your second best remembered match, whilst the April league fixture in which the Irons were denied victory by a poor linesman's call (allowing RVP's offside effort to stand) came in third.

Previous Winners
2011/12 Blackpool 2-1 (n); 2010/11 Man Utd 4-0 (h); 2009/10 Wigan 3-2 (h); 2008/09 Portsmouth 4-1 (a); 2007/08 Man Utd 2-1 (h); 2006/07 Man Utd 1-0 (a); 2005/06 Liverpool/FA Cup Final (n); 2004/05 Ipswich 2-0 (a); 2003/04 Ipswich 2-0 (h); 2002/03 Chelsea 1-0 (h); 2001/02 Man Utd 1-0 (a); 2000/01 Man Utd 1-0 (a); 1999/2000 Arsenal 2-1 (h); 1998/99 Palace 4-1 (h)/Barnsley 6-0 (h); 1997/98 Tottenham 4-3 (h).


BEST SIGNING



1. ANDY CARROLL (42%)
2. MO DIAME (35%)
3. JAMES COLLINS (12%)

Big striker Andy Carroll becomes the first ever loanee to win this particular category thanks to his seven goals - four of which came in his last eight appearances - whilst on loan from Liverpool. The England international fought his way back from two spells on the sidelines to become a firm favourite with the Boleyn faithful.

Only just behind Carroll was Mo Diame, who took more than one in three of your votes. The former Wigan midfielder's future remains in doubt but his contribution in his first season at the Boleyn was considerable, despite constant contractual concerns. James Collins, your runner-up in the main category headed the chasing pack to take third.

Previous Winners
2011/12 Ricardo Vaz Te; 2010/11 Demba Ba; 2009/10 Alessandro Diamanti; 2008/09 Valon Behrami; 2007/08 Scott Parker; 2006/07 Carlos Tevez; 2005/06 Yossi Benayoun; 2004/05 Teddy Sheringham; 2003/04 Matthew Etherington; 2002/03 Rufus Brevett; 2001/02 Sebastien Schemmel; 2000/01 Frederic Kanoute; 1999/2000 Igor Stimac; 1998/99 Trevor Sinclair; 1997/98 Eyal Berkovic.


MOST IMPROVED PLAYER



1. WINSTON REID (35%)
2. JOEY O'BRIEN (29%)
3. GUY DEMEL (12%)

For the second successive season this category goes to your Player of the Year, Winston Reid. The young Kiwi endured a fairly dreadful first season at the club which culminated in relegation from the Premier League in 2010/11 - since when he hasn't looked back. A solid season in the Championship was followed this term by a consistent and effective campaign that drew plaudits from all quarters.

Running Reid a very close second was Big Sam's hard-working utility man, Joey O'Brien. Despite being asked to play all across the back four at various times last season, the popular Irishman never complained and rarely turned in a below par performance. Completing this particular trio - all defenders - is Guy Demel who, like O'Brien, proved consistent and reliable on the right side of defence.

Previous Winners
2011/12 Winston Reid; 2010/11 Jonathan Spector; 2009/10 Julien Faubert; 2008/09 Carlton Cole; 2007/08 George McCartney; 2006/07 James Collins; 2005/06 Marlon Harewood; 2004/05 Anton Ferdinand; 2003/04 Stephen Bywater; 2002/03 Glen Johnson; 2001/02 Christian Dailly; 2000/01 Michael Carrick; 1999/2000 Marc-Vivien Foe; 1998/99 Frank Lampard; 1997/98 Frank Lampard.


MOST MISSED



1. WALLY DOWNES (29%)
2. ROBERT GREEN (16%)
3. YOSSI BENAYOUN (12%)

Time for another unique occurrence as Wally Downes, West Ham's popular first team coach who left the club in mysterious circumstances following a trip to Ireland last December becomes the first non-player to win this (relatively new) category. Known for his no-nonsense approach, Downes - nephew of former boxing champ Terry - proved a popular figure with supporters who have bemoaned his disappearance from Sam Allardyce's side.

The highest-placed player in the list was Robert Green, who left West Ham for the bright lights of West London - which he has since swapped for the lowlights of the Championship. Oddly perhaps, Yossi Benayoun - who proved a failure whilst on loan from Chelsea in the first half of the season - was your third most-missed player.

Previous Winners
2011/12 Demba Ba; 2010/11 Alessandro Diamanti; 2009/10 Dean Ashton.


WORST PLAYER OF THE SEASON



1. EMANUEL POGATETZ (46%)
2. MAROUANE CHAMAKH (18%)
3. ALOU DIARRA (15%)

Signed on transfer deadline day in January, the errant Austrian secures his way into the WHUFC Team of Shame - despite having only made six appearances in his brief spell at the Boleyn Ground. Signed at the end of January on loan from Wolfsburg, the former 'Boro centre half stunned us with a string of inept defensive performances in which he looked totally unprepared and unsuited to the Premier League.

In a close-fought battle for second place, a second January loanee - Arsenal's Marouane Chamakh - was considered to be slightly more crap than Alou Diarra, whose attitude - as opposed to any obvious lack of talent as a footballer - saw him bundled out to Rennes on loan shortly after Christmas.

Previous Winners
2011/12 John Carew; 2010/11 Matthew Upson; 2009/10 Jonathan Spector; 2008/09 Diego Tristan; 2007/08 Luis Boa Morte; 2006/07 Nigel Quashie; 2005/06 Category Suspended; 2004/05 Don Hutchison; 2003/04 Wayne Quinn; 2002/03 Gary Breen; 2001/02 Titi Camara; 2000/01 Titi Camara; 1999/2000 Neil Ruddock; 1998/99 Iain Dowie/Andy Impey; 1997/98 Iain Dowie.


WORST SIGNING OF THE SEASON



1. EMANUEL POGATETZ (37%)
2. ALOU DIARRA (25%)
3. MAROUANE CHAMAKH (25%)

A virtual carbon copy of the Worst Player category, Emanuel Pogatetz takes his place alongside fellow luminaries John Carew, Titi Camara and Gary Breen as holding the dubious honour of winning the double in the 'Worst...' categories. Slow, cumbersome and resembling the proverbial rabbit in headlights when faced by a pacy striker, it's unlikely Big Sam will be looking to make that particular loan deal permanent.

By virtue of just a handful of votes, mardy Frenchman Alou Diarra usurps mardy Moroccan Marouane Chamakh for second place.

Previous Winners
2011/12 John Carew; 2010/11 Robbie Keane; 2009/10 Benni McCarthy; 2008/09 Diego Tristan; 2007/08 Henri Camara; 2006/07 Matthew Upson; 2005/06 No award; 2004/05 Mauricio Tarrico; 2003/04 Wayne Quinn; 2002/03 Gary Breen; 2001/02 Ragnvald Soma; 2000/01 Titi Camara; 1999/2000 Sasa Ilic; 1998/99 Andy Impey; 1997/98 Ian Pearce.


GREATEST DISAPPOINTMENT



1. AWAY FORM (25%)
2. GARETH BALE'S LATE WINNER (24%)
3. ROBIN VAN PERSIE'S LAST-MINUTE EQUALISER (24%)

From a season in which there was very little to complain about, you voted our poor form away from the Boleyn Ground as your most disappointing aspect of the 2012/13 campaign. Just three wins all season away from east London left many perplexed, given the record-breaking 14/15 away wins last season.

In what proved to be the closest category of all, it was two late opposition goals that only narrowly failed to land this particular crown. Gareth Bale's 90th-minute winner back in February was particularly hard to take - as was Robin Van Persie's for Manchester United, which took the FA Cup third round tie to a replay (and subsequently led to West Ham's exit from the competition). Do not read the following list if you are of a nervous disposition.

Previous Winners
2011/12 No home win in seven matches; 2010/11 Relegation; 2009/10 Dean Ashton's retirement; 2008/09 The Lord Griffiths ruling in favour of Sheffield Utd; 2007/08 The injury situation; 2006/07 Failing to build on the previous season's success; 2005/06 The FA Cup Final; 2004/05 Booing players; 2003/04 Millwall away; 2002/03 Relegation; 2001/02 Chelsea FA Cup defeat; 2000/01 Spurs FA Cup defeat; 1999/2000 Mannygate.


HACKETT OF THE YEAR



1. BARRY HEARN (54%)
2. ANTHONY TAYLOR (11%)
3. ALEX FERGUSON (10%)

"Barry Hearn, he's on the earn, tra la la la la..." Once again it's your favourite compo-chasing, football club Chairman who takes the Hackett award, our category dedicated to Tony Gale's nemesis. Hearn used every trick in the book to obstruct West Ham's move to Stratford, but finally conceded defeat earlier this year.

In second place was referee Anthony Taylor, who managed the considerable task of leaving 35,000 people collectively open-mouthed when dismissing Carlton Cole for a perfectly innocuous high challenge against Everton. Before making amends by sending off an opponent for the same thing a few minutes later. In third was the retiring red-nosed Scot, who we'll sadly no longer be able to berate from the stands.

Previous Winners
2011/12 Barry Hearn; 2010/11 Avram Grant; 2009/10 Eidur Gudjohnsen; 2008/09 Lord Griffiths; 2007/08 Kevin McCabe; 2006/07 Dave Whelan (Wigan).


And that's it for another year! Our sincere thanks to everyone who voted in this year's poll and for your continued support of KUMB.com. We'll see you back in the Premier League in 2013/14 and back here next summer for our 17th annual readers' poll!