KUMB Awards

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

And once again the KUMB Awards were revealed in front of a live audience, with The Cow in Stratford Westfield providing the venue and Jimmy Walker and Rufus Brevett the enteretainment.



KUMB.com PLAYER OF THE YEAR



1. AARON CRESSWELL (44%)
2. Adrian San Miguel del Castillo (32%)
3. Cheikhou Kouyate (11%)

25-year-old left back Cresswell joined West Ham in the summer of 2014 for what now appears to be a ridiculously-measly £4million. 42 appearances and two goals later you decided to add him to our illustrious list of winners by naming him your Player of the Year.

Taking almost half the vote, Cresswell narrowly beat runner-up (for the second successive year) Adrian and third place Cheik Kouyate, another of the new boys to enjoy a thoroughly-fruitful first season at the Boleyn Ground.

Previous Winners
2013/14 Mark Noble; 2012/13 Winston Reid; 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. REECE BURKE (92%)
2. Reece Oxford (4%)
3. Elliot Lee (2%)

The paucity of Academy players breaking a path into the first team of late meant that anyone able to do so was likely to win this category by a landslide - and so it proved for 18-year-old Reece Burke, who took a massive 92 per cent of your votes this year.

Reece Oxford, who was the subject of a major tug-of-war involving the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United last summer is currently captaining England's Under 17s. He came in second with a handful of votes more than third-place Elliot Lee, who made his first appearance of the season for the first team as a late sub in the final game of the year at Newcastle.

Previous Winners
2013/14 Dylan Tombides; 2012/13 Danny Potts; 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. 15 SEP: ENNER VALENCIA vs HULL CITY a, 2-2 (61%)
2. 10 Jan: Andy Carroll vs Swansea a, 1-1 (9%)
3. 20 Sep: Diafra Sakho vs Liverpool h, 3-1 (9%)

Fresh off the plane from the World Cup Finals, Enner Valencia had been a Hammer for little more than a month when he stunned Hammers fans with a goal that appeared to defy the laws of physics. With barely no backlift, Valencia produced an unstoppable shot from 20 yards that left watchers stunned by its sheer power..

Andy Carroll proved he's more than just a target man with a wonderful solo goal at Swansea back in January - a goal that you voted your second favourite of the campaign - whilst Diafra Sakho's cheeky lob over Liverpool's Simon Mignolet was narrowly beaten into third place by a handful of votes.

Previous Winners
2013/14 Ravel Morrison v Tottenham (a); 2012/13 Mo Diame v Man Utd (h); 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. 20 SEP: WEST HAM UTD 3-1 LIVERPOOL (36%)
2. 25 Oct: West Ham Utd 2-1 Man City (34%)
3. 6 Jan: West Ham Utd (p) 2-2 Everton (FA Cup) (26%)

West Ham went into the clash with Liverpool having won just one match previously, but the game you voted as your most memorable of 2014/15 sparked off a run of form that saw West Ham in the top four at Christmas. Winston Reid and Diafra Sakho (see above) had West Ham two clear after seven minutes before Morgan Amalfitano finally added a crucial third with just two minutes to go.

The 2-1 win over Manchester City almost exactly a month later was narrowly pipped to the award, whilst Adrian's heroics in the FA Cup third round replay at the Boleyn drew enough votes from you to snatch third spot.

Previous Winners
2013/14 Tottenham (a) 3-0; 2012/13 Chelsea 3-1 (h); 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



AARON CRESSWELL (45%)
2. Diafra Sakho (35%)
3. Cheikhou Kouyate (16%)

As mentioned above, this year's winner was an absolute snip at just £4million when moving from Ipswich Town last summer. Having barely missed a game this season, Aaron Cresswell collects his second award having proved fantastic value for money.

Diafra Sakho proved to be an equally-valuable bargain; like Cresswell he cost the Hammers just £4million last summer since when he has scored 12 priceless Premier League goals. Cheik Kouyate proved to be the heartbeat of the Hammers midfield and a massive hit with Hammers fans. especially the kids for whom he always has time.

Previous Winners
2013/14 Adrian San Miguel Del Castillo; 2012/13 Andy Carroll; 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



STEWART DOWNING (41%)
2. Adrian San Miguel del Castillo (29%)
3. James Collins (10%)

Possibly the key to West Ham's stunning pre-Christmas form, Downing found his best form for years at the head of the midfield diamond and has barely missed a game this season. Adrian, over whom many held doubts previously enjoyed another excellent season and has firmly established himself as the club's #1 goalkeeper.

Meanwhile experienced centre half James Collins also had a great season, largely eliminating the costly errors that had blighted his career previously.

Previous Winners
2013/14 Matt Taylor; 2012/13 Winston Reid; 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. JACK COLLISON (36%)
2. Ravel Morrison (17%)
3. Mohamed Diame (13%)

Having spent almost a decade at the club, it was heartbreaking to part company with Jack Collison last summer. The midfielder's career had been blighted by injury, but he is nonetheless regarded by Hammers fans as the Most Missed player from those members of last season's squad no longer with us.

Bad boy Ravel comes in second - with a tag of 'oh what could have been' - whilst Mo Diame earned third place in a category where picking a top three was always going to be tough, given the quality of their replacements.

Previous Winners
2013/14 Dylan Tombides; 2012/13 Wally Downes; 2011/12 Demba Ba; 2010/11 Alessandro Diamanti; 2009/10 Dean Ashton.


WORST PLAYER OF THE SEASON



1. KEVIN NOLAN (31%)
2. Ravel Morrison (25%)
3. Matthew Jarvis (19%)

It's been a pretty dreadful season for Captain Kev, who at 32 has struggled to keep up with the pace of a number of games. A return of one goal in 33 appearances is way below the standard usually expected of a player who has been a great servant to West Ham.

For possibly the first time ever a player has been voted second in both the Most Missed and Worst Player categories, which tells you all you need to know about Ravel Morrison. Matt Jarvis barely played this season - and even when he did, he didn't.

Previous Winners
2013/14 Alou Diarra; 2012/13 Emanuel Pogatetz; 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. MAURO ZARATE (63%)
2. Doneil Henry (9%)
3. Enner Valencia (7%)

He came, he complained, he went on loan to Queens Park Rangers and disappeared - so it's no wonder Hammers fans overwhelmingly voted Argentine striker Mauro Zarate as the Worst Signing of the season.

A difficult category this year due to the overwhelming success of most new arrivals, Doneil Henry - who was shipped off on loan at Blackburn before returning with a season-ending hamstring injury - came in second, whilst Enner Valencia polled enough votes to come in third - presumably for the poor return of five goals for £15million.

Previous Winners
2013/14 Mladen Petric; 2012/13 Emanuel Pogatetz; 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



THE POST_CHRISTMAS SLUMP IN FORM (61%)
2. Defeat at West Brom in the FA Cup (19%)
3. The style of football (6%)

It used to be a standing joke that West Ham came down with the Christmas decorations - a pun that was revitalised this season following West Ham's horrendous post-Xmas run. Three in every five voters felt this was the Greatest Disappointment of 2014/15, following the superb start to the season that had given us hope of automatic European qualification.

The utterly dismal deafeat at West Brom in the FA Cup which saw David Sullivan surrounded by angry fans in the car park at the Hawthorns and effectively ended our season drew enough votes to take the runners-up spot, whilst last year's Greatest Disappointment - our style of football - still irked a number of you.

Previous Winners
2013/14 Our style of football; 2012/13 Our away form; 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.


KUMB PODCAST GUEST OF THE YEAR



1.JACK COLLISON (20%)
2. Frank McAvennie (14%)
3. Ian Bishop (13%)

Last year's winner Ian Bishop came all the way down to London and into the KUMB Podcast studio in an attempt to retain his title, but in the end he was narrowly pipped to the post by Jack Collison, picking up his second award of the night for his guest appearance on a March pod.

Last year's KUMB Live! guest Frank McAvennie also topped Bish with his a href="story.php?id=127934">laugh-a-minute October appearance, whilst the former midfielder managed to pick up enough votes to take his place on the rostrum - exactly four more than fourth-placed Dave Sullivan!

Previous Winners
2013/14 Ian Bishop


HACKETT OF THE YEAR



1. THE THIEVES WHO STOLE KENNY BROWN'S MEDALS (29%)
2. Referee Jon Moss: giving Spurs a 93rd-minute penalty… (24%)
3. Kevin Kilbane: reporting West Ham… (17%)

It was disappointing to discover last month that Cup WInners' Cup hero Kenny Brown had returned home from holiday to discover his house had not only been burgled, but his precious medals had also been nicked. The little sh*ts responsible deservedly earned this year's Hackett award.

Jon Moss - who awarded Spurs a debatable 93rd-minute penalty at White Hart Lane before allowing them to convert the rebound with time having expired - was your runner-up this year, with Kevin Kilbane - who reported West Ham for derogatory chanting at the same game despite not even being there - came in third, prompting this controversial KUMB headline.

Previous Winners
2013/14 Chico Flores; 2012/13 Barry Hearn; 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 2015/16 and back here next summer for our 19th annual readers' poll!