For the past week on the club website at cambridgeunited.com we've invited you to name your Internet Players of the Year, and your Goal of the Season.

Hundreds of votes rolled in - taking a certain webmistress an evening to tally them all up! - but it soon emerged that this season there are clear cut winners in the first two categories.

So without further ado, the Internet Player of the Year, with 84% of the votes, is… (drum roll)… Robbie Simpson!

The 22-year-old joined the club last summer from Cambridge City and has scored 16 goals this season - 14 of them in the second half of the campaign as his game came on in leaps and bounds.

Included in those goals was a hat-trick in the win at Northwich that has provided the platform for our strong end to the season, and the Loughborough University student was far and away your choice for the Player of the Year award.

The runners-up to Robbie were Courtney Pitt (2nd) and Mark Peters (3rd).

Along with the supporters' votes came many comments of praise for Robbie and I have reproduced just a few of them here:

"He has improved so much during the season, the potential has become reality," said Terry Wilby.

"Led the line magnificently all season and delivered what we've been missing - GOALS!" commented Mike Barnes.

"Without Simmo's goals we may not have stood a chance of survival," said Neal Suckling.

Chloe Flack thinks, "When he is on the pitch the whole team seems to be ten times better," and Daniel Lowe agrees: "The best since Dave Kitson."

"He has won us game after game and typifies the never say die attitude of Cambridge United," commented Roy Luckhurst, while Stephen Thompson added, "With the right guidance, self-determination and hard graft Robbie will undoubtedly become a major talent."

Simon Cousins said, "Always gives 100%, never gave up in any games and his persistence has been rewarded with goals!"

And Colin Bishop concluded, "Cambridge United have been waiting for a goal scorer for some time and now we have him hopefully we can keep him and get back to where we belong... the Football League."

Runner-up Courtney Pitt also attracted many glowing comments, best summed up by Matt Pountain, who said, "The way Pitt has gone about his game this season has been nothing short of tremendous," and Tim Cobbold who agreed, "Courtney has produced some excellent performances and his crosses and passing are key to Simpson's success."

Third-placed Mark Peters was "a rock at the back," said Paul Cruttenden, who added, "He's uncompromising and a true leader."

The vote for the Internet Young Player of the Year award (for players aged 21 and under) was almost as clear cut, with Michael Morrison the winner.

Michael polled over 57% of the votes and again supporters were fulsome in their praise.

"He has been a rock at the back for us this season and has shown maturity beyond his years. He is still learning like a true professional should from his mistakes and triumphs," said David Terry, among many similar comments.

Gary Stroud commented, "He's been solid and dependable all season," while Will Jeans said, "He's a player I would love to see at the Abbey for years and help us get back up the league. Class act."

Dave Bonnett thought 'Morro was "an example of professionalism to the rest of his team."

And Ben Marshall reflects, "He's the only player to have played in all of our Conference games and without doubt a fantastic defender. Strong, resilient and a fantastic tackler. He is a great credit to our youth scheme and will be a key player for years to come."

In second place was Stephen Smith, while Josh Simpson and Aidan Collins tied for third place.

"He came back from CRC better than ever and forced his way in to the side on merit," said Brian Thorby of Stephen Smith.

The final voting category was for 'Goal of the Season' and although 16 different goals were nominated, there were two clear favourites - the second goal of Robbie Simpson's hat-trick at Northwich and the second goal of Dan Chillingworth's hat-trick in the very next game, against Weymouth.

The eventual winner by a handful of votes was Robbie's, which came in the 81st minute when Pitt slid the ball through for him to take one touch to control it and a second to bury it high into the far corner.

Chilli's - a superb volley from the edge of the area - was the close runner-up, while the third favourite was Courtney Pitt's thunderbolt strike against Dagenham & Redbridge on Easter Monday.

Of the winning goal, Neal Suckling thought, "A great finish and it came in one of the most crucial games of the season, the game and performance that would be the catalyst for the rest of the season."

Richard French agreed: "The best goal we scored this season, but also from the vantage point we had from directly behind the shot, the way the ball floated straight into the corner of the net - a brilliant goal."

"A fantastic long range finish in the top right corner. Amazing build up play also, great control by Courtney and a good first touch by Robbie made this goal," commented Ben Marshall.

And of Chilli's volley, Abi White said, "From a tight angle, top corner. Awesome goal!" and Mark Johnson commented, "A stunning piece of skill to volley the ball, as came over his shoulder, beyond the keeper. A real highlight from a memorable day."

Congratulations to everyone mentioned, and sincere thanks to all who voted. The presentations will be made on the pitch today before the game.

Andrea Thrussell
web@cambridge-united.co.uk

*This interview was also published in the programme for the match against Tamworth on 28th April, 2007

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