West Ham United crowned their 61st ‘Hammer of the Year’ last night, among other end of season awards. The prestigious accolade has had many notable winners in the past, including; Bobby Moore, Sir Geoff Hurst and Carlos Tevez.
Whilst the voting seemed almost unanimous for this years charismatic winner, lets see who picked up the nights other awards.
Lifetime Achievement Award – KEN BROWN
During his time at West Ham, Ken Brown made over 474 senior appearances for The Hammers.
A decorated career, spanning over a decade at the club, Brown won the 1957 Second Division title, 1964 FA Cup and the European Cup Winners Cup in ’65.
A stalwart at the heart of West Ham’s defence, paired alongside Captain Bobby Moore, Brown won the 1958/59 Hammer of The Year award, receiving his first and only full England cap the following season.
Brown was named the sixth winner of this award, previous winners included his former team-mates Bobby Moore, Sir Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters.
Honouring a legend.
Congratulations, Ken Brown! pic.twitter.com/0rKl7L8isd
— West Ham United (@WestHam) April 25, 2018
Dylan Tombides Award – CONOR COVENTRY
Conor Coventry won the ‘Dylan Tombides Award’ last night, after his stellar performances for the West Ham United Academy this season. Making four EFL Trophy and four U18 Premier League appearances this season, Coventry has certainly impressed manager Terry Westley in his quest for regular U23’s football.
The Irish U19 International was delighted after winning the award, however his focus was to emulate fellow Irish team-mate Declan Rice and his success with the first team.
“It’s been a big season for me – appearing against senior teams in the Checkatrade Trophy, and going to both Man City and Man United away in PL2 and winning was great. I’d pick out the United game as the highlight, I played well that day and it was a great win.
“It was always a target to play PL2 this year, but I didn’t expect to play as much as I did. I’m very pleased with the season, it’s been a success.
“Seeing Declan Rice play so many times for the first team this season is a massive inspiration. It drives everyone to work harder and keep trying and it just shows us we can get there.”
Congrats @conorcoventry! 👏
Aged 18, Conor has played 10 games for the U23s this season. pic.twitter.com/SZAkTM4oiq
— West Ham United (@WestHam) April 25, 2018
Young Hammer of the Year – DECLAN RICE
Nineteen-year-old Declan Rice won ‘Young Hammer of the Year’ for the second year in a row tonight, after a standout campaign with the first team this season.
After making 22 appearances in the Premier League, many have tipped Rice to follow in the footsteps of former West Ham centre-half Rio Ferdinand, with his raw talent, technical ability and unbelievable reading of the game on show for everyone to see.
Rice also received his first senior cap for the Republic of Ireland, winning Man of the Match award on debut capping off an outstanding season for the youngster.
Clearly buoyed by his success, Declan was quick to praise the work of everyone at the Academy for their efforts;
“Credit to Terry Westley and his staff – Liam Manning, Steve Potts and Mark Phillips – for giving players their opportunities and making them better. A massive thank you to all them for getting me to this point.
“There were other great candidates who have had great years, so I’m very grateful that I’ve done enough to win this award for a second straight year,” he said. “It’s been a great year and I can’t wait to end it strongly.
“It’s been an amazing year. I was picking up this award last year and I was talking about loan options, but now I’ve made 30-odd appearances, have had some praise from some top, top people and I’m loving every minute of it and I can’t wait to play more games and win more trophies in the future.”
Well deserved, @_DeclanRice! 👏 pic.twitter.com/OjG0ptKChb
— West Ham United (@WestHam) April 25, 2018
Goal of the Season – PEDRO OBIANG
You’ll struggle to have seen a cleaner strike in the Premier League this year, when Pedro Obiang rifled home from 30-yards against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley, picking up the ‘Goal of the Season’.
Obiang’s strike won 59% of the vote, with Javier Hernandez’s strike against Brighton in 2nd and Marko Arnautovic’s second goal against Southampton earlier this month.
Speaking after receiving the award, Obaing said;
“For me it was something different because every day in training I try to shoot differently towards the far post, but this time I went for the near post and it went in!” he smiled. “It was really nice and a really emotional goal, especially because it was at Wembley too!”
There could only be one winner… What a hit from @Obiang14!
Your 2017/18 Goal of the Season! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/qL0Lo3q6j7— West Ham United (@WestHam) April 25, 2018
Ladies Players’ Player of the Year – ELLIE ZOEPFL
Ellie Zoepfl won the inaugural ‘Ladies Players’ Player of the Year award’, after her outstanding season for the first-team.
Winning two trophies in 2018, whilst also going unbeaten since the turn of the year, the remarkable efforts of the Ladies side hasn’t gone unnoticed, with Zoepfl becoming a key figure for Karen Rays side, scoring ten goals in 13 games.
After receiving the award, Ellie said;
“It feels really really good to win this award, but I wouldn’t be anywhere without my teammates.
“With the change of coaching, we’ve changed the attitude among the players and it has been amazing. We’ve won two trophies and winning is fun so it’s been a really fun season.
“We don’t want the season to end! We’re just getting into our groove and if we had been like this at the start of the season we would have probably been at the top of the table.
“This has been my first season at the Club and I appreciate everything that has been done for me. The players and coaching staff give me the confidence to play how I’ve been playing.”
Well deserved, @elliezoe7! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/AMy2r9vx4x
— West Ham United Women (@westhamwomen) April 25, 2018
Signing of the Season, Players’ Player of the Year and Hammer of the Year – MARKO ARNAUTOVIC
When describing a West Ham fan favourite, none come closer than this years standout player, Marko Arnautovic.
With the charisma, tenacity, ability and attitude of former player Paulo Di Canio, there was every reason to like the £25million signing from Stoke City last summer.
After a slow start to year under former boss Slaven Bilic, Arnautovic has scored ten goals in his last 16 games under new boss David Moyes, whilst creating four assists. The Austrian international has played a key role in West Ham’s survival bid this season, which looked unlikely at the start of the year.
Whilst also becoming the 40th different player to win the HOTY award, Marko also picked up Signing of the Season and Players’ Player of the Year as well.
Arnautovic came in first place with 68 percent of the vote, whilst Declan Rice finished runner-up and Pablo Zabaleta came in third place.
Speaking to Carlton Cole after receiving his award, Marko said;
“I want to thank every single fan who supports West Ham for this award. It means a lot to me. It was hard for me at the beginning of the season but now it’s going well and I want to do my job for many years to come. We are not finished yet.
“I try to do my best. The gaffer gave me some advice which was to run hard and do my best and I did it. All the players helped me. I love them and they love me – you can hear this!
“The best moment? Of course scoring goals is a good moment for me, but to receive these awards is the best moment so far for me. I’ll do my best in the last four games, I’ll give everything and then we’re going to go on holiday and come back and do better next season.
“Thank you all for this and I love you all!”
Your 2017/18 Hammer of the Year… Marko Arnautovic! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/DWfa9H7t1s
— West Ham United (@WestHam) April 25, 2018