KUMB Awards

There were 11 categories in this year's KUMB Awards, our 20th annual poll, for readers to vote in...

KUMB.com PLAYER OF THE YEAR



1. MANUEL LANZINI (42%)
2. Michail Antonio (36%)
3. Pedro Obiang (12%)

Not for the first time in the 20 years we've been presenting the annual KUMB Awards, our readers' Player of the Year differs from West Ham Utd's Hammer of the Year. Our hearty congratulations go to Manuel, who capped an excellent season with a call-up to the Argentina national squad!

No doubt helped by a strong end to the campaign, Lanzini edged the KUMB award over the currently-crocked Michail Antonio, who won the club's vote (taken several weeks before the end of the season) 47%-21%. Pedro Obiang, who came on leaps and bounds from last season - as recognised further below - grabbed a well-deserved third place.

Previous Winners
2015/16 Dimitri Payet; 2014/15 Aaron Cresswell; 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. EDIMILSON FERNANDES (69%)
2. Josh Cullen (11%)
3. Toni Martinez (10%)

For the first time since the current Board took control of WHUFC Ltd, a regular member of the club's first team squad lands our Young Player of the Year award with Edimilson Fernandes winning by a considerable margin. To feature on 38 occasions for the first team at the age of 21 is an impressive achivement in the current footballing climate - and he'll never forget scoring his debut goal against Chelsea.

Your runner-up, Josh Cullen enjoyed an excellent season on loan at Bradford which culminated in an appearance at Wembley at the League One play-off Final. Toni Martinez, narrowly pipped to second spot ended the season with calls for his inclusion in the first team squad following a run of red-hot form.

Previous Winners
2015/16 Reece Oxford; 2014/15 Reece Burke; 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. ANDY CARROLL vs CRYSTAL PALACE (85%)
2. Dimitri Payet vs Middlesbrough (8%)
3. Manuel Lanzini vs Tottenham (2%)

In any other season, it's likely that the battle for first place between two absolutely wonderful - yet very different - goals would have been far, far closer. Post departure, your runner-up Dimitri Payet - with a meagre seven per cent of the vote - was never likely to get a look, in despite bamboozling the entire Middlesbrough defence in one memorable mazy run.

However that should take nothing away from Andy Carroll's stunning strike against Crystal Palace - an overhead kick, hit with stunning power and precision, that is unlikely to be bettered any time soon. Manuel Lanzini's winner against Spurs grabbed enough votes to top the best of the rest.

Previous Winners
2015/16 Dimitri Payet v Crystal Palace; 2014/15 Enner Valencia v Huill City (a); 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. WEST HAM UTD 1-0 TOTTENHAM (Premier League) (82%)
2. West Ham Utd 2-1 Chelsea (EFL Cup) (8%)
3. West Ham Utd 3-0 Crystal Palace (Premier League) (6%)

It says much about the quality of the 2016/17 season from a claret and blue perspective that our readers' Most Memorable Match was a London derby remarkable for just one thing - it prevented the North London mob from potentially winning the Premier League!

That said, it was a special night at the Olympic Stadium - as was the defeat of Chelsea some months earlier in the EFL Cup. West Ham's biggest home win of the campaign - a resounding thumping of Crystal Palace (well, eventually) - was particularly memorable for Andy Carroll's wonder goal (see above).

Previous Winners
2015/16 West Ham Utd 3-2 Manchester Utd (h); 2014/15 West Ham Utd 3-1 Liverpool (h); 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



1. EDIMILSON FERNANDES (38%)
2. Arthur Masuaku (28%)
3. Andre Ayew (22%)

A second KUMB award in his debut season goes to Swiss star Edimilson Fernandes, the £5million summer sigging from FC Sion who follows up his Young Player gong with a win in the Best Signing category having taken 38 per cent of your votes.

Not so far behind in second place is Lille-born left back Arthur Masuaku, the former Olympiacos left back who achieved what was perhaps unthinkable at the start of the season by keeping England star Aaaron Cresswell out of the team. Andre Ayew, the club's record signing at £20million-odd was narrowly behind in third.

Previous Winners
2015/16 Dimitri Payet; 2014/15 Aaron Cresswell; 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



1. PEDRO OBIANG (44%)
2. Sam Byram (22%)
3. Manuel Lanzini (13%)

Having already featured in the Player of the Year line-up, Pedro Obiang is also your Most Improved Player having enjoyed an excellent campaign at the heart of the Hammers midfield. His first year at the club saw him feature sporadically, but the young Spaniard looked far more assured and settled in his sophomore season.

Sam Byram - your runner-up - was anouther young player who benefitted from a full pre-season with the squad and returned a stronger, more assertive force. A strong end to the season just about tipped the balance in favour of Manuel Lanzini, who our readers voted third.

Previous Winners
2015/16 Michail Antonio; 2014/15 Stewart Downing; 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. DIMITRI PAYET (41%)
2. James Tomkins (40%)
3. Victor Moses (10%)

Yeah, well, grudgingly I suppose we'll give this one to our former French genius who, as it transpired, didn't really love Wes 'dam as much as he'd previously insisted. (Who'd have guessed?) Putting the palava that sourrounded his acrimonious exit to one side for a moment, Dimitri Payer was a player in a generation and whilst the man won't be missed, his mercurial skills most certainly will be.

James Tomkins will probably be as surprised as anyone to discover he pushed Ero 16 star Payet to within a single per cent of this particular award; therein lies the depth of the disdain reserved for the French international. Vic Moses, who had a decent season at West Ham on loan in 2015/16 went on to win the title for Chelsea, at wing back.

Previous Winners
2015/16 Carlton Cole; 2014/15 Jack Cillison; 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. GOKHAN TORE (37%)
2. Simone Zaza (18%)
3. Alvaro Arbeloa (15%)

After a grand total of just eight appearances (five in the Premier League) the Turkish international's season-long loan was effectively ended by injury - one so bad that he failed to show his face again (at West Ham at least, he was still prolific on Twitter).

Indeed, all three of your leading rascals this season have already left the club, with runner-up Simone Zaza having packed his bags last Christmas in favour of warmer climes (having scored just once at the OS, for Juve against West Ham) and Alvaro Arbeloa deciding that there was no way back after a tiff with Bilic.

Previous Winners
2015/16 Carl Jenkinson; 2014/15 Kevin Nolan; 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. SIMONE ZAZA (34%)
2. Gokhan Tore (29%)
3. Alvaro Arbeloa (18%)

Far ahead of his time, Simone Zaza didn't even wait to arrive in east London before becoming a laughing stock - his hilarious penalty miss in the Euro 16 championships saw to that. Thing is, he isn't that bad a player - but his move to West Ham was disastrous and he lasted just six months before cutting his season-long loan spell short.

Tore, who pipped Zaza to the 'Worst Player' category settled for second here, whilst Albeloa completes the unholy trinity with another third plaxce.

Previous Winners
2015/16 Nikica Jelavic; 2014/15 Mauro Zarate; 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



1. LEAVING THE BOLEYN GROUND (22%)
2. The sale of Dimitri Payet (18%)
3. West Ham Utd's Premier League form (17%)

For many, it signalled the end of their association with the club - for others, the opportunity for a fresh start in Stratford. Either way, the loss of the club's home ground of 116 years resonated most strongly with our readers, who voted the decision to leave E13 as your greatest disappointment of the season.

Not so far behind, in second place, you voted the inevitable and almost certainly impossible-to-prevent departure of Dimitri Payet, the player who had so lit up the Bolyn Ground for its final seasons. The team's general disappointing form was narrowly beaten into thirs spot this year on your list of irksome things.

Previous Winners
2015/16 Referees' inconsistency; 2014/15 Our post-Xmas slump in form; 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.



HACKETT OF THE YEAR



1. DIMITRI PAYET (53%)
2. The Board (22%)
3. Karren Brady (16%)

Awarded in honour of FA Cup 1991 semi final referee Keith, who famously dismissed Tony Gale, this year's Hackett has a distinctly home-grown theme. Taking the title as Tosser of the Year is Dimitri Payet, who will never be forgiven for the manner in which he engineered a return to France, utterly disrupting West Ham's season in the process.

The club's Board of Directors as a whole come in second this year, having promised much but delivered little in the eyes of 22 per cent of our readers since moving to Stratford. Lastly, Karren Brady creates a unique record of having appeared twice in the same award - this time uniquely cited for her handling of the club's migration policy last summer.

Previous Winners
2015/16 Roy Hodgson; 2014/15 Kenny Brown's thieves; 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 2017/18 and back here next summer for our 21st annual readers' poll!