KUMB Awards

There were 10 categories to nominate your choices for in this year's KUMB Awards, our 27th annual poll...

The full list of winners was as follows...


KUMB PLAYER OF THE YEAR 2023/24



1. JARROD BOWEN (86%)
2. Mohammed Kudus (7%)
3. Alphonse Areola (6%)

It's congratulations on a comprehensive win to Jarrod Bowen, who picks up his first ever KUMB Player of the Year award following a fantastic season in which he matched Paolo Di Canio's Premier League club goalscoring record while scoring 16 goals in all competitions. The rest of the squad were picking up scraps with Jarrod collecting more than four of every five votes cast, but Mo Kudus marked a fine first season at the club with runners-up spot - marginally ahead of the excellent Alphonse Areola, who enjoyed a successful campaign having dislodged Lukasz Fabianski from the number one spot.

Previous winners: 2022/23 Declan Rice; 2021/22 Declan Rice; 2020/21 Tomas Soucek; 2019/20 Declan Rice; 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. GEORGE EARTHY (83%)
2. Freddie Potts (12%)
3. Callum Marshall (4%)

When Earthy scored his debut goal against Luton Town, mere minutes after entering the fray as a late substitute, it instantly brought back memories of Freddie Sears vs Blackburn Rovers and Tony Cottee against Tottenham - fellow Academy prospects who marked their top flight debuts with a goal. And it was the perfecet way to cap a solid season for the 19-year-old, as he broke through into David Moyes' first team set-up. Some distance behind in second spot was Freddie Potts, who had a fantastic season on loan at Wycombe where he was named as the League One club's Player of the Year, while Irish striker Callum Marshall - who spent much of the season on loan at West Bromwich Albion - completes this year's selection.

Previous winners: 2022/23 Ben Johnson; 2021/22 Ben Johnson; 2020/21 Declan Rice; 2019/20 Declan Rice; 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. MOHAMMED KUDUS V FREIBURG (64%)
2. Mohammed Kudus V Man City (26%)
3. Jarrod Bowen V Brighton (6%)

When Mo Kudus picked up a loose ball deep inside his own half, few would've banked on him running the entire length of the pitch before depositing his shot into the net. But that's exactly how it transpired as the Ghanian forward left several Freiburg players before dead as he bore down upon the visitors' goal. Kudus also takes second spot in this category for a worldy of an overhead kick on the final day of the season at Manchester City, while Jarrod Bowen's excellent effort at Brighton - a real team goal - earned enough votes to take third place for last season's winner.

Previous winners: 2022/23 Jarrod Bowen vs Fiorentina (n); 2021/22 Manuel Lanzini vs Crystal Palace (a); 2020/21 Manuel Lanzini v Tottenham; 2019/20 Declan Rice v Watford; 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. ARSENAL 0-2 WEST HAM UTD (42%)
2. West Ham Utd 5-0 SC Freiburg (39%)
3. West Ham Utd 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen (11%)

Retrospect indicates this defeat was the one that cost Arsenal the title - even though nobody could've predicted the magnitude of the result that night in north London. Had Said Benrahma not missed an injury time penalty, the defeat would've been even more humiliating for Declan Rice and his pals. The 5-0 thrsashing of Freiburg, easily West Ham's biggest win of the season was narrowly beaten into second place while the Europa LEague quarter final, second leg tie against the almost invincible Bayer Leverkusen was a memorable night for 11 per cent of you, even though it ultimately ended in defeat.

Previous winners: 2022/23 West Ham Utd 2-1 Fiorentina; 2021/22 Lyon 0-3 West Ham Utd; 2020/21 Tottenham 3-3 West Ham Utd; 2019/20 West Ham Utd 3-2 Chelsea (h); 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. MOHAMMED KUDUS (90%)
2. Edson Alvarez (9%)
3. James Ward-Prowse (1%)

Having already been named as runner-up Player of the Year and winner of the Goal of the Season award, Mo Kudus - your Best Signing of the season - is the most comprehensive winner in this year's KUMB Awards, taking an incredible 90% of your votes this year thanks to an enormourly successful break-out season in east London. Edson ALvarez has a great season having joined former Ajax team mate in the English capital while James Ward-Prowse snatched enough votes to earn a place on the honours board.

Previous winners: 2022/23 Lucas Paqueta; 2021/22 Kurt Zouma; 2020/21 Vladimir Coufal; 2019/20 Tomas Soucek; 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. EMERSON PALMIERI (44%)
2. Jarrod Bowen (31%)
3. Alphonse Areola (17%)

An otherwise solid if unspectacular defender prior to the 2023/24 campaign, Italian international Emerson came on leaps and bounds this year while adding the odd notable goal or two to his armoury - and that was enough to earn his this year's Most Improved Player award according to KUMB readers. Bowen, runner-up in this category two seasons ago narrowly misses out on a double having taken the Player of the Year category while Alphonse Areola nips in with another honourable mention on the winners board.

Previous winners: 2022/23 Lucas Paqueta; 2021/22 Jarrod Bowen; 2020/21 Pablo Fornals; 2019/20 Angelo Ogbonna; 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. DECLAN RICE (46%)
2. Pablo Fornals (46%)
3. Manuel Lanzini (7%)

Just TWO votes separated former skipper Declan Rice and fellow midfielder Pablo Fornals when it came to the final count of votes cast across KUMB.com and our social media platforms. Rice went so close to winning the Premier League title with new club Arsenal but had to settle for a trophyless season, while the SPaniard is loving life back in his home country with Real Betis. Manuel Lanzini, who left east London last summer after nine years in England picked up most of the votes not going to the aforementioned duo - as it should be.

Previous winners: 2022/23 Craig Dawson; 2021/22 Jesse Lingard; 2020/21 Robert Snodgrass; 2019/20 Marko Arnautovic; 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.


MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT



1. GEORGE EARTHY SCORES HIS FIRST PROFESSIONAL GOAL (54%)
2. David Moyes bids farewell to the London Stadium (24%)
3. Finally breaking the Brighton hoodoo (16%)

The emergence of a potential star of the future from the club's Academy is an occasion to be cherished at West Ham United, and 2023/24 provided us with another such moment when George Earthy entered the fray as a late substitute in the Premier League clash with Luton Town before scoring his first senior goal and celebrating wildly with his team mates. After four-and-a-half years in the managerial hotseat, David Moyes bade farewell to the fans at an appreciative London Olympic Stadium, while finally beating bogey club Brighton - after some ten years of waiting! - was memorable enough to earn a shout in third place.

Previous winners: 2022/23 Jarrod Bowen's winning goal in the Conference League Final; 2021/22 Yarmolenko's reaction to scoring the winner v Villa; 2020/21 West Ham qualifying for Europe in the final game of the season; 2019/20 Alvin & David Martin embrace at Chelsea.


KUMB WRITER OF THE YEAR



1. PAUL WALKER (43%)
2. Gordon Thrower/Preview Percy (26%)
3. Steve Barlow (25%)

Previous winners: 2022/23 Paul Walker; 2021/22 Paul Walker; 2020/21 Gordon Thrower/Preview Percy.

It's a hat-trick for KUMB's elder stateman and former doyen of Fleet Street, Paul Walker, who lands his third successive KUMB Writer of the Year award despite increasingly stiff compeition. Our very first ever winner of this category back in 2020/21, Gordon Thrower, takes second once again for his musings as alter-ego Preview Percy while Steve Barlow, whose output has been mor regular than ever this year deservedly earns his first ever position on the podium.


HACKETT OF THE YEAR



1. VAR 266 (35%)
2. Claret & Booze (YouTube channel) (29%)
3. Jose Maria Sanchez (Referee vs BL) (22%)

Since its introduction, VAR has always been there or thereabouts in the Hackett category (named after former referee Keith Hackett, who famously sent off Tony Gale in the 1991 FA Cup semi final) despite not having been named as the winner since the 2019/20 KUMB Awards. But in the wake of a series of high-profile decisions that potentially cost West Ham numerous Premier League points this term, it's back to the top of the pile for football's least favourite recent modification. Close behind was YouTube channel Claret & Booze, slammed by many fans for its relentless anti-Moyes rhetoric while Spanish referee Jose Maria Sanchez, wh officiated West Ham's Europa League quarter final second leg takes the last spot for a mind-numbingly awful performance.

Previous winners: 2022/23 The fan who threw a missile at Cristiano Biraghi; 2021/22 Moussa Dembele (Lyon); 2020/21 Mike Dean (referee); 2019/20 VAR; 2018/19 Simon Beck (linesman); 2017/18 Karren Brady; 2016/17 Dimitri Payet; 2015/16 Roy Hodgson (England manager); 2014/15 Ken Brown's thieves; 2013/14 Chico Flores (Swansea); 2012/13 Barry Hearn (Orient chairman); 2011/12 Barry Hearn (Orient chairman); 2010/11 Avram Grant; 2009/10 Eidur Gudjohnsen; 2008/09 Lord Griffiths; 2007/08 Kevin McCabe (Sheff Utd chairman); 2006/07 Dave Whelan (Wigan chairman).


KUMB AWARD OF DISTINCTION



BILLY BONDS (West Ham United FC legend)

In the pantheon of West Ham United Football Club luminaries, there are few - if any - who command more respect, admiration and love from the fanbase than William Arthur Bonds, a loyal club servant who arrived at West Ham from Charlton Athletic in May 1967 for an astonishing fee of just £50,000 before going on to make 799 first team appearances over the course of the next two decades - 787 of which came as a starter. 61 goals scored during that period also proved to be vital, at times, although it was for his uncompromising, tough defensive nature that he was best known.

Great friend and fellow Hammer Trevor Brooking's on-field enforcer, 'Bonzo' was predominently known as a defender but during his early years at the club made a name for himself in midfieled, while also assuming the role of designated penalty taker. A double FA Cup winner, he also led West Ham into a European Cup Winners Cup Final and a League Cup Final plus a plethora of semi and quarter finals ties during what was arguable the club's most successful period to date.

A quiet family man, who was regularly the first to leave the changing room after a game, that Billy never managed to earn a senior cap was largely the result of bad luck and misfortune, for in the days leading up to what would've been his first England appearance he sustained an injury that would preclude him from representing his country - and the chance never arose again. However that does nothing to detract his standing in the eyes of West Ham fans, for many of whom Billy Bonds is the living embodiment of the club.

Billy, we salute you sir.

Previous winners: 2022/23 Colin Wells; 2021/22 Mark Noble; 2020/21 David Moyes.