WeAreBrighton.com End of Season Awards 2009/10

The first ever WeAreBrighton.com End of Season Award winners for the 2009-10 season were announced on the May 8th addition of the Albion Moan In.

Now, yes, we are aware that there were a few slight technical issues with that particular show whereby the first 15 minutes did not actually broadcast, so here is a full list of the winners that you selected.

And unlike the General Election, they were straight out winners - no need to form any sort of coalition here. Congratulations!

WeAreBrighton.com Player of the Season: Andrew Crofts (33% of the vote) Andrew Crofts began the season steadily if not spectacularly under Russell Slade following his free transfer from Gillingham but it was with the arrival of Gus Poyet and his elevation to captain that his season really took off. Chipping in with vital goals from midfield when we were struggling along towards the bottom of the table, the Welshman was a solid performer throughout the year and this was recognised when John Toshack recalled him to the national squad and by him winning the less-prestigious Official Player of the Season award. Previous Winners: -

Goal of the Season: Gary Dicker v Exeter City (H) (39%) Despite fierce competition from a couple of what are now trademark Elliott Bennett "worldies" - most notably the stunning strike away at Oldham Athletic - it was Gary Dicker's stunning first time volley in the 2-0 Withdean win over Exeter City that took the award. With the ball dropping to him some 30 yards out from goal, the former Stockport County midfielder took a vicious swing at it with his right foot, sending the ball sailing through the air before dipping perfectly over the helpless Grecians 'keeper to send the Withdean crowd wild Previous Winners: -

Memorable Moment of the Season: Southampton away (40%) A local derby, live on Sky, against opposition featuring two of your youth team products and a former manager in the dugout in which defeat would see you replace them in the relegation zone. All the ingredients for a cracker - and that is exactly what it was at St Mary's, as Gus Poyet's first game in charge saw the Albion cruise to an unexpected yet convincing 3-1 victory in front of 3000 travelling fans thanks to two memorable goals from Glenn Murray and a captains striker from Andrew Crofts. Dean Hammond/Dan Harding/Dean Wilkins who? Previous Winners: -

Manager of the Season: Gus Poyet (85%) He arrived with three months of the season gone, and in his time in charge he has overseen a remarkable turnaround in both form and playing style. Gustavo was the hot favourite for this award, and he has seen off the challenge of both Russell Slade's disappointing start to the campaign and Martin Hinshelwood's thrilling 4-4 draw at Wycombe to take the crown, helped in part by his brand of "flicky flicky" football that has graced the Withdean since January. A very promising start for the Uruguayan in his management job. Previous Winners: -

Dismissal of the Season: Colin Hawkins v Stockport County (H) (54%) Polling over 50% of the vote, it was another great moment for the Colin Hawkins DVD. The Hawk had earned the nickname Calamity last season with own goals and penalties galore, and in his only appearance of the 2009/10 campaign he lived up to it again. Coming on to shore up the defence following Tommy Elphick's dismissal, Hawkins lasted around 90 seconds before giving away a penalty of his own and being shown a straight red card as a result. One of the undeniable funniest moments seen at Withdean in a long time. Previous Winners: -

Flair Moment of the Season: Inigo Calderon celebration v Charlton (A) (42%) He may have just walked out on the club and manager who saved his football career for the money on offer at St Marys, but Inigo Calderon will still go down as one of the flairest players ever to pull on the stripes in his short five month spell at Withdean. Perhaps his finest moment was away at Charlton, when a marauding run from right back saw him open the scoring with a rasping shot from thirty yards out via a slight deflection, before celebrating with an extremely flair celebration that involved the rubbing of his boot in front of the home supporters.. Previous Winners: -

Villain of the Season: Dean Hammond (62%) Dean Hammond, despite his falling out with Dick Knight and subsequent departure from the Albion in 2008, was still a well respected figure around the club. That was until his return to Brighton on April 1st 2010. With new club Southampton taking an absolute hammering at Withdean, a fortunate equaliser for the visitors saw Hammond decide to run the length of the South Stand celebrating like a school girl on ecstacy. In one fell swoop, the former club captain had become more hated than Dan Harding which was no mean feat. Previous Winners: -

Gully's Girl of the Season: Maddy (46%) Another fiercely contested battle for all the gentleman and some ladies out there to vote in in which there was something of a shock result which saw Maddy take home the trophy. Most people had expected bleach blonde Jo to be the victor (vote for her for a Help for Heroes calendar HERE) as probably the most well known member of the troupe through her charity work and posting on North Stand Chat, but the brown hair and long legs of one of the lesser-known Gullys Girls took her to victory. But who are we kidding - they are all bloody fit. Previous Winners: - Albion Related Podcast of the Season: The Albion Moan In (51%) No, this was result was not rigged (honestly!) by the WeAreBrighton poll counters - the Albion Moan In really did finish at the the top of the pile when it comes to Brighton and Hove Albion related podcasts. With fierce competition from Comedy Steve's excellent official podcast and local community station Radio Reverb's Albion Roar, it was our very own Moan In that took the crown thanks to its combination of mental callers, "you can't say that moments", and of course, the Richie Barker song which closes every show. Previous Winners: - Albion Moan In Caller of the Season: Gangsta Al (40%) There have been some great callers to the Albion Moan In this season - Charles and his irrational hatred of Nicky Forster, Rupert's disillusionment reaching the stage where he became an Arsenal fan, Beach Hut and Ninja Elephant actually wanting to talk football and Lionel with his wacky array of background music. Gangster Al and his connections to Brighton's underworld and the resulting stories he was able to tell was a worthy winner however for his gossip about what had been going on at Withdean - not to mention the sacrifice he makes to his vocal chords Previous Winners: 9