KUMB Awards XXII: 2018/19 Season

  • Results Announced: 2019-07-04 14:54:54

There were 11 categories to nominate your winners for in this year's KUMB Awards, our 22nd annual poll...


KUMB.com PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2018/19

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1. LUKASZ FABIANSKI (44%)
2. Declan Rice (32%)
3. Felipe Anderson (6%)


Congratulations to Lukasz Fabianski who becomes the first goalkeeper to be named as KUMB Player of the Year since Robert Green more than a decade ago back in 2008, following a fantastic debut season at West Ham.

Having moved from relegates Swansea for a paltry £5million fee last summer, Fabianski enjoyed a fantastic season as the club's number one having wrestled the jersey from previous regular Adrian. Declan Rice - who has his fingers in many pies came a worth second, whilst club record signing Felipe Anderson made up your top three this year.

Previous Winners
2017/18 Marko Arnautovic; 2016/17 Manuel Lanzini; 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

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1. DECLAN RICE (84%)
2. Issa Diop (11%)
3. Grady Diangana (4%)


And it's a first Award of the year for emerging midfield talent Declan Rice, who smashed this category last season too with a massive 97% of your votes! The 20-year-old, now-English international was a clear and obvious winner for this year's Young Player award once again following his breakthrough into Gareth Southgate's England squad, having remodelled himself as a defensive midfielder at West Ham. The equally-impressive Issa Diop, eligible as he began the campaign as a 21-year-old surprisingly failed to mount a serious challenge to Rice whilst Grady Diangana, another enjoying his first season in Manuel Pellegrini's squad secured a fair few votes to take third spot.

Previous Winners
2017/18 Declan Rice; 2016/17 Edimilson Fernandes; 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. FELIPE ANDERSON v CRYSTAL PALACE (36%)
2. Michail Antonio v Tottenham (29%)
3. Mark Noble v Watford (15%)


Felipe Anderson might have cost a few bob but when he scores goals like this year's Award winner, he suddenly looks worth every penny. Taking an opportunity from the left, a shot that initially appeared off-target suddenly dipped and swerved sharply before rippling the back of Palace's net. Comparisons with Roberto Carlos' incredible Le Tournois 1997 strike were not without some merit. Michail Antonio's runner-up was as memorable as technically proficient, perhaps ensuring it took the runner-up spot ahead of Mark Noble's brilliant late-season solo effort against Watford.

Previous Winners
2017/18 Pedro Obiang v Tottenham; 2016/17 Andy Carroll v Crystal Palace; 2015/16 Dimitri Payet v Crystal Palace; 2014/15 Enner Valencia v Hull 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

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1. TOTTENHAM 0-1 WEST HAM UTD (62%)
2. West Ham Utd 3-1 Manchester Utd (23%)
3. West Ham Utd 4-3 Huddersfield Town (7%)


For the third successive season it's a victory against Tottenham Hotspur that takes the gong in this year's Most Memorable Match Award. Michail Antonio's winning goal - the first conceded by Spurs at their new north London home - resulted in a legendary celebration, whiuch resulted in the legendary pic above, which resulted in Tottenham's first defeat at New White Hart Lane.

Runner-up this season was the comfortable 3-1 victory over a soon-to-be-sacked Jose Mourinho's Manchester United, whilst the annual crazy caper - this year being the seven-goal thriller aginst relegated Huddersfield - came in third place.

Previous Winners
2017/18 Tottenham 2-3 West Ham Utd; 2016/17 West Ham Utd 1-0 Tottenham; 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

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1. LUKASZ FABIANSKI (62%)
2. Issa Diop (15%)
3. Fabian Balbuena (14%)


It's a second KUMB Award in this year's poll for Lukasz Fabianski, who was a runaway winner in a season where competition for Best Signing was tough and included several viable contenders. Having replaced Adrian as West Ham's number one following his move from relegated Swansea - where he was also voted as Player of the Year - Fab enjoyed a fantastic season, amking many notable saves throughout the campaign.

In the scramble for second place, Issa Diop also enjoyed a brilliant debut season in Stratford and was a well-deserving shout, as was his defensive partner Fabian Balbuena who the tyoung Frenchman narrowly pipped for the runners-up spot.

Previous Winners
2017/18 Marko Arnautovic; 2016/17 Edimilson Fernandes; 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

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1. ROBERT SNODGRASS (41%)
2. Declan Rice (23%)
3. Michail Antonio (18%)


Famously vilified by two members of the Board, it's perhaps sweet justice that Snodders - as he is affectionately known - has completed a remarkable turnaround to win KUMB's Most Improved Award. Sent out on loan to the Championship and criticised in print by Karren Brady and David Sullivan, it looked like his days at West Ham were numbered. But recalled and reinvigorated by Manuel Pellegrini, the Scot has since become a firm fans' favourite as a result of his determination and grit.

Declan Rice, the winner of this particular award last season might have appeared a shoo-in again but for Snodgrass' remarkable renaissance, having become a first team regular and West Ham's first England regular for several seasons. Michail Anotnio, another who appeared destined for a move away last summer has also enjoyed a resurgence under the Chilean's direction.

Previous Winners
2017/18 Declan Rice; 2016/17 Pedro Obiang; 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

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1. JAMES COLLINS (58%)
2. Mabel Arnold (33%)
3. Cheikhou Kouyate (8%)


With only five names to choose from this time around, it was no surprise that crowd-favourite Collins - or 'Ginge' as he was perhaps more commonly known - romped away with the Most Missed title in this year's Awards. Two spells at the club endeared him to West Ham fans and even though he was rapidly approaching his 35th birthday last summer, many supporters were still calling for him to be offered another contract extension.

Runner-up this year was centurian Mabel Arnold, possibly one of the club's most famous fans having been featured in the 'Farewell Boleyn' celebrations in 2016. Mabel passed away in February at the age of 102, just two months shy of her 103rd birthday, having followed the Hammers for an astonishing 85 years. Cheeky chappipe Cheikhou Kouyate, never short of a smile or a laugh, wraps up this years' top three.

Previous Winners
2017/18 Diafra Sakho; 2016/17 Dimitri Payet; 2015/16 Carlton Cole; 2014/15 Jack Collison; 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

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1. ANDY CARROLL (53%)
2. Carlos Sanchez (14%)
3. Lucas Perez (7%)


It's a damning indictment of his spell at West Ham that striker Andy Carroll should be named as the club's worst player in his final season with United. A former international who promised much and occasionally delivered simply faded away, making just 12 mostly bit-part appearances in his final season and scoring just one goal - the very thing he was paid handsomely to do.

Carlos Sanchez perhaps somewhat unfortunately takes the runners-up berth this season having been sidelined through injury for most of it - he managed just eight appearances all season, whilst striker Lucas Perez - who has already left for warmer climes - was perhaps somehwat unfortunate to finish ahead the likes of Samir Nasri who he narrowly beat to land third spot.

Leading the chasing pack of four or five players was former French international Evra, who appeared to be paid a small fortune just to repeat his newly-adopted catchphrase - whilst your Most Missed player registered in third spot! Unusually, all three have already left West Ham - which probably isn't a bad thing.

Previous Winners
2017/18 Joe Hart; 2016/17 Gokham Tore; 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

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1. CARLOS SANCHEZ (45%)
2. Jack Wilshere (26%)
3. Lucas Perez (16%)


Whilst his arrival at West Ham wasn't exactly universally welcomed, that Carlos Sanchez barely played after September having sustained serious medial ligament damage in the 8-0 defeat of Macclesfield meant he was always going to feature highly on this list.

Jack WIlshere, who arrived on a free transfer but earns a packet still has much to do to prove to West Ham fans that his signing was worthwhile, whilst Lucas perez's six goals in 19 appearances wasn't quite enough to dissuade supporters that he was the third worst signing of last summer.

Previous Winners
2017/18 Joe Hart; 2016/17 Simone Zaza; 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

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1. FA CUP EXIT AT AFC WIMBLEDON (49%)
2. Manuel Lanzini's season-long injury (15%)
3. Marko Arnautovic's Chinese whispers (12%)


West Ham are of course no strangers to embarrassing Cup defeats, and so it was perhaps no surprise when the Irons were dumped out of the FA Cup by Wimbledon, who were bottom of League One at the time and without a win in eons. Who better then to face that a hapless West Ham side who capitulated against a team who were still a non-league club five years earlier.

Once again the team's fortunes were hampered by a succession of injuries and Manuel Lanzini's torn knee ligaments epitomised the extend of the problem, making that your runner-up. Finally Marko Arnautovic's January antics, that almost saw him leave West Ham for a Chinese Super League club took enough votes to secure third spot.

Previous Winners
2017/18 Cancellation of anti-Board march; 2016/17 Leaving the Boleyn Ground; 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

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1. SIMON BECK (33%)
2. Karren Brady (24%)
3. Graham Scott (23%)


A wide-open catergory this season with no outstanding candidate, the Hacket of the Year Award - for those who have wronged West Ham more than any other individual - goes to errant linesman Simon Beck, who someone failed to spot that James Milner was a country mile offside ahead of their goal in the 1-1 draw with West Ham in Stratford. VAR will sort that out next year... right?

Last year's winner Karren Brdy - nominated then for her ill-informed comments regarding Robert Snodgrass - has to settle for second spot this season having stood by the disgraced Phil Green (at least until her support threatened her own standing) whilst referee Graham Scott took third spot for disallowing Felipe ANderson's perfectly legitimate strike against - a decision that cost West Ham two very important Premier League points at Old Trafford.

Previous Winners
2017/18 Karren Brady; 2016/17 Dimitri Payet; 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 yet 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 2019/20 and back here next summer for our 23rd annual readers' poll!