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WeAreBrighton.com End of Season Awards 2010/11 - The Polls

It's been rather a good season hasn't it? Promotion to the Championship, the League One title in the bag with four games left to play, only two home defeats in the league all season, an eight game winning streak and some of the best football ever played by the Albion

To mark the end of a triumphant 2010/11 campaign, the polls are now open in the Second Annual We Are Brighton End of Season Awards.

There are nine categories to choose from this year, ranging from the coveted gong of our Player of the Season to an award for the best contributor to the Albion Moan In webcast.

Read on to see who the nominations are. Happy voting!

WeAreBrighton.com Player of the Season
Holder: Andrew Crofts
Casper Ankergren: Began rather shakily to have people questioning his place in the team but answered his critics with point-earning performances away at Carlisle and Southampton. Has won two divisional player-of-the-months this season.
Elliott Bennett: Responsible for either scoring or assisting around half of the Albion's goals this season, Bennett's form tailed off slightly after handing in a transfer request in the wake of interest from Premiership-bound Norwich City.
Gary Dicker: Gets play moving once he receives the ball, he has also weighed in with a couple of timely strikes in this campaign. Gus Poyet constantly describes him as the man who understands the way the manager wants his team to play.
Adam El-Abd: Easily been the most improved player since the arrival of Gus Poyet, his place at the heart of central defence has been assured following accomplished displays alongside both Gordon Greer and Tommy Elphick.
Glenn Murray: His first injury-free season since signing has yielded his best goal return, ranging from the simple to the sublime. Will be extremely difficult to replace should he walk on a free as his contract expires.
Marcos Painter: Mr Consistency at left back has played in every league game this season and has easily been one of the most underrated players in the side. You could count the mistakes he has made on one hand and still be able to operate a handgun.


Goal of the Season
Holder: Gary Dicker v Exeter City
Kazenga LuaLua v Milton Keynes Dons Home: From a free-kick around 25 yards out, the ball was teed up for the on-loan Newcastle wide man and boy did he hit it - the keeper can barely react before it whistled past him.
Kazenga LuaLua v Bournemouth Home: Yes, him again. The ball was knocked square, and with one deft touch to get it out of his feet, it was leathered with incredible power and swerve into the bottom corner of the goal.
Inigo Calderon v Yeovil Town Home: 50 yard lofted pass from Marcos Painter found Calderon who had gone rampaging forward. His first touch bought the ball down; his second unleashed a shot with his left foot from the edge of the box.
Liam Bridcutt v Carlisle United Home: Some ping ball in the box saw the ball fall onto Liam Bridcutt's left foot, where it was promptly smashed into the net on the volley. In the 94th minute. Cue mental Withdean running track scenes.
Glenn Murray v Tranmere Rovers Home: A throw found Murray who got the ball under control well before rolling his marker, making ground in the box despite the challenge of a defender and firing a powerful drive
Liam Bridcutt v Dagenham and Redbridge Home: A cross was half cleared by the defence, leaving Bridcutt to smash home from twenty five yards leaving the 'keeper with no chance to send the Albion on their way to promotion.
Elliott Bennett v Walsall Away: A mazy run saw no Walsall player attempt to put a challenge in, and Bennett punished them with a fine strike from distance that looped over the goalkeeper to secure the League One title.


Memorable Moment of the Season
Holder: Southampton Away
Fran Sandaza Goal v Oldham Athletic: Substitute Fran Sandaza bundles home a stoppage time winner to send the Albion to the top of the table, where they would stay for the remaining eight months of the season.
Charlton Athletic Away: A 4-0 victory in front of over 3000 travelling fans at The Valley, after which Gus Poyet's team were applauded off by the home support. Maybe we did belong at the top of the table after all.
Peterborough United Away: Just two weeks after that Charlton win, another masterclass from the Albion as they stuck three past the Posh without reply. And it could have been a lot more were it not for Joe Lewis.
Liam Bridcutt Goal v Carlisle United: Harry Arter's last minute equaliser for Carlisle was trumped by a 94th minute winner thanks to Liam Bridcutt's stunning volley. "The stuff of Champions" it certainly was.
Dagenham and Redbridge Home: The Albion return to the Championship after a five year absence as Dagenham were defeated 4-3 at Withdean, leading to an invasion and Paul Samrah's near breakdown over the tannoy.
Walsall Away: Southampton's failure to beat Rochdale coupled with a fine 3-1 victory for the Albion at the Bescott Stadium saw Gus Poyet's side crowned as League One Champions to round off a perfect season.


Dismissal of the Season
Holder: Colin Hawkins v Stockport County
Gordon Greer v Rochdale Home: What better way to mark your debut as captain than by hitting an opponent in the face off the ball, conceding a penalty and receiving a red card at the same time?
Liam Bridcutt v Hartlepool United Away: 2-1 down during a tough looking assignment against Hartlepool at Victoria Park, Liam Bridcutt flies in with a two footed lunge on Andy Liddell. Straight red, thanks for coming.
Mauricio Taricco v Woking Away: Tano's first game in six years ends early as he receives a second yellow for mouthing off at the ref. He probably just didn't fancy extra time against a non-league side.
Inigo Calderon v Charlton Athletic Home: Ex-Albion loanee Thierry Racon was on the end of a nasty two footed jump tackle that earned Calderon a straight red with less than 15 minutes on the clock.
Gordon Greer v Sheffield Wednesday Home: The captain was at it again, this time going in with a headbutt in another off the ball incident. In the final minute. Of a game that the Albion were leading 2-0.

Penalty Miss of the Season
Holder: New Category
Glenn Murray v Leyton Orient: Nobody really cared about the Johnstone Paint Trophy, so nobody was too bothered when Jamie Jones saved Murray's spot kick and the Albion went out with a 2-0 defeat.
Elliott Bennett v Peterborough United Away: After earning the penalty himself, Bennett see's his effort well saved by Joe Lewis. Thankfully it didn't matter as the Albion would go onto win the game 3-0.
Chris Wood v Southampton Away: Having weathered the Saints onslaught in the first half, Brighton have a chance to snatch all three points. Kelvin Davis denies them with a great stop. Finishes 0-0.
Elliott Bennett v FC United of Manchester: A last minute penalty to avoid a Tuesday night replay against a team of part-timers in Manchester? Elliott Bennett see's his effort saved by a postman. Or similar. The game ends 1-1.
Glenn Murray v Huddersfield Town Away: Murray gets hauled down in the area and Poyet is incensed that no red card is shown. Albion fans are incensed as Alex Smithies makes it five missed penalties by December! 2-1 defeat.
Ashley Barnes v Brentford Away: Barnes becomes the fourth player to miss from 12 yards as Richard Lee saves his spot kick. Brentford had the decency to score a shocking own goal though to give the Albion a 1-0 win.
Gary Dicker v Swindon Town Home: Having scored from the spot earlier in the game, Dicker misses his second penalty of the afternoon to make it five separate players to miss from the spot in the season. The Albion go onto win 2-1
Ashley Barnes v Huddersfield Town Home: Despite seeing his spot kick saved by Ian Bennett, Ashley Barnes was able to tuck home the rebound. Not that it really mattered as Brighton would go onto lose 3-2.


Flair Moment of the Season
Holder: Inigo Calderon celebration v Charlton
Adam El-Abd Play Acting v Sheffield Wednesday Away: Neil Mellor headbutts El-Abd in the chest. El-Abd goes to the ground and writhes about holding his face. It didn't work, as Mellor received only a yellow.
Kazenga LuaLua Celebration v MK Dons Home: Kazenga LuaLua produces one of the biggest backflips ever in a show of gymnastics that wouldn't be out of place in London next year to celebrate his rocket of a goal against MK Dons.
Mauricio Taricco gets sent off v Woking Away: You wait six years to make a return to the professional game. And then you get sent off for mouthing off about a nothing decision. An excellent example for the assistant manager to set.
Cristian Baz Penalty v Woking Away: The deciding penalty in a shoot out against tricky non-league opposition, and Cristian Baz decides to scoop it down the middle. Thankfully, it worked - which is more than can be said about some of our penalties.
Gus Poyet plays hide and seek: Brighton's poor record from the penalty spot lead Gus to hide behind the home dugout whenever a penalty was awarded at Withdean, much to the South Stands amusement.
Peter Brezovan goes up for a corner v Huddersfield: The last ever act at Withdean? No, not some great goal, but Sexy Pete Brezovan running back and making a tackle on the halfway line after going up for a corner.


Villain of the Season
Holder: Dean Hammond
John Farries: Despite being 40 yards from play, the linesman from the Bournemouth home game awarded the visitors a last minute penalty for a handball that was a) outside the box, and b) made by a Bournemouth player.
Scott McGleish: Ok, he hasn't done anything this year. But we'll never forget his actions to the North Stand back in 96/97 and the part it nearly played in getting us thrown out the league. So he is on the shortlist.
Nigel Adkins: "Will it be you and Brighton fighting out the title at the end of the season?" "Well, if they can keep with us maybe." Nothing more to be said. Nigel was a cheeky little chappy wasn't he?
Lee Clark: He may have been nice in the game at Withdean, but Clark was far less complimentary after their victory at the Galpham, claiming Poyet tried to get his man sent off because "that's what he does in his home country".


Albion Related Podcast of the Season
Holder: The Albion Moan In
The Official Podcast: Hosted by Comedy Steve, the Official Podcast features interviews with the players and staff from the club with some probing questions.
The Albion Roar: On every Saturday morning, the Roar welcomes guests ranging from fans to ex players into the studio to take about the week that was.
The Albion Moan In: A wide range of callers phone in to discuss the probing issues in this monthly feast of serious debate and bizarre conversations about your sexiest ever Albion player.


Albion Moan In Caller of the Season
Holder: Gangsta Al
Charles: With three generations of his family supporting the club, Charles has a wealth of opinion to show. His shrewd suggestions with what the club should do with money are rather unique.
Gangsta Al: Al has a wide range of contacts in the Brighton underworld, and has put them to good use this season to come up with inside information from the club.
Ken Jolly: Ken spent the early part of the season scouting for players and his knowledge about who or what may be coming in has given the Moan In many exclusives this season.
Lionel: Not a fan of Gus Poyet, Lionel has advocated the club becoming a franchise this season and moving to Belgium should it be the case that Falmer turns out to be a white elephant.
Rupert: Splitting his time between the Albion and Arsenal, Rupert has admitted to being suicidal in the past but the recent upturn in form has seen him become a much more jolly soul this season.