KUMB Awards

There were 12 categories to nominate your choices for in this year's KUMB Awards, our 23rd annual poll, the results of which were unveiled live via KUMB's YouTube channel for the first time...

The full list of winners was as follows...


KUMB.com PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2019/20



1. DECLAN RICE (56%)
2. Angelo Ogbonna (29%)
3. Michail Antonio (14%)

Congratulations to Declan Rice who becomes the KUMB Player of the Year for the first time following a fantastic season at the heart of West Ham United's midfield. Centre half Ogbonna continues to improve with age while Antonio ended the season as the Premier League's most prolific striker.

Previous Winners
2018/19 Lukasz Fabianski; 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



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

A third successive win in this category for 21-year-old Rice, the first time that's ever been done in the KUMB awards. Promising recent arrival Issa Diop is some way behind in second place, while winger Diangana takes the bronze medal.

Previous Winners
2018/19 Declan Rice; 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. DECLAN RICE v WATFORD (h) (44%)
2. Andriy Yarmolenko v Chelsea (h) (37%)
3. Aaron Cresswell v Man Utd (h) (6%)

It was a two-horse race this year but Rice picks up his third award of the night thanks to his effort against the Hornets in what was a must-win game for West Ham. Yarmo's winner against Chelsea was a close-run second while Cresswell's superb free kick took third spot.

Previous Winners
2018/19 Felipe Anderson v Crsytal Palace; 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



1. WEST HAM UTD 3-2 Chelsea (h) (66%)
2. 1-0 vs Chelsea (a) (17%)
3. 2-0 vs Manchester Utd (h) (8%)

For the first time since 2013 it's a win against the west London side that wins the Most Memorable Match award - this one being the memorable last-minute victory at the LOS. A thoroughly-impressive win at Stamford Bridge - made memorable for the tears of David Martin - plus a comfortable defeat of the Red Devils complete the top three.

Previous Winners
2018/19 Tottenham 0-1 West Ham Utd; 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



1. TOMAS SOUCEK (73%)
2. Jarrod Bowen (25%)
3. Pablo Fornals (2%)

A first ever KUMB award for the influential midfielder who initially joined West Ham on loan during the January transfer window. Another January signing, Jarrod Bowen similarly proved to be an excellent acquisition while tireless Spanish midfielder Fornals beat off the competition to land a mention in third spot.

Previous Winners
2018/19 Lukasz Fabianski; 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



1. Angelo Ogbonna (35%)
2. Michail Antonio (30%)
3. Declan Rice (21%)

Like a fine wine, the Italian continues to improve with age - according to more than a third of voters. Narrowly behind Ogbonna was another player rapidly approaching his 30th birthday while Declan Rice gets yet another mention in this year's KUMB Awards, which he dominates.

Previous Winners
2018/19 Robert Snodgrass; 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



1. MARKO ARNAUTOVIC (58%)
2. Adrian San Miguel Del Castillo (24%)
3. Grady Diangana (11%)

He may have left the club under something of a cloud, but the Austrian is the player you felt West Ham missed the most this season. Popular 'keeper Adrian won a Champions League medal during his first season at Liverpool while Diangana was sent our on loan for the season and was a player you felt could've served a better purpose in east London.

Previous Winners
2018/19 James Collins; 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



1. ROBERTO JIMENEZ GAGO (82%)
2. Carlos Sanchez (12%)
3. Felipe Anderson (4%)

The calamity 'keeper was your overwhelming choice for this year's Worst Player Award - many felt his form was largely responsible for the team's drop in form that led to the dismissal of Manuel Pellegrini, who signed him on a free transfer during the summer. Carlos Sanchez, another freebie and £35million signing Anderson complete the three.

Previous Winners
2018/19 Andy Carroll; 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



1. ROBERTO JIMENEZ GAGO (92%)
2. Albian Ajeti (4%)
3. Sebastien Haller (2%)

An unwanted double for the Spanish stopper - and we use that term loosely - in the 19/20 Awards. Ajeti, who couldn't hit a barn door and the excessively expensive Haller wrapped up this year's category.

Previous Winners
2018/19 Carlos Sanchez; 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



1. ANOTHER RELEGATION BATTLE (48%)
2. Points lost from winning positions (28%)
3. Losing 4-0 at Oxford Utd (18%)

Another manager sacked and the return of an old boy was required to save the day: the ensuing fight to avoid the drop disappointed you most this year. All those points dropped from wining positions was similarly frustrating while the now traditionally-humiliating defeat against lower league opposition in the Cup also irked.

Previous Winners
2018/19 FA Cup exit at Wimbledon; 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.


MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT



1. ALVIN & DAVID MARTIN EMBRACE (67%)
2. Michail Antonio scores four (15%)
3. 8,000+ join protest march (14%)

West Ham had just beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in David Martin's debut. The 'keeper, overcome with emotion ran straight to the stands where his tearful embrace with dad Alvin had us all reaching for the Kleenex. Michail's four-goal haul at Carrow Road - the first time it'd been done in the top flight since David Cross at Tottenham in the early '80s - and Hammers United's protest march are also occasions that will long live in the memories of Hammers fans.

Previous Winners
None.


HACKETT OF THE YEAR



1. VAR (52%)
2. Covid-19 (13%)
3. The IFAB (handball law) (12%)

For the first time ever the Hackett is non-human, with VAR winning the battle of the non-sentient nominees. The pandemic and the implications thereof came second, while the bizarre - nay stupid - new handball law third.

Previous Winners
2018/19 Simon Beck; 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.


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 2020/21 and back here next summer for our 24th annual readers' poll!