Your Players of the Year
The results are in, and here are the winners of the Internet Player and Young Player of the Year awards, plus your choice of 'Goal of the Season'. The winners received their awards from supporters at the final home game of the season, at home to Notts County on 7th May.
For the past week on the club website 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 count them all! - but it soon became apparent that there was a clear winner in the first category.
So without further ado, the Internet Player of the Year, with 74% of the votes, is... (drum roll)... Andy Duncan!
The 27-year-old has led the team with pride and determination this season, rarely absent from the centre of the defence and praised for his commitment by supporters, team-mates and managers alike as he has led by example.
The runners-up to Andy were defenders Adam Tann (2nd) and Shane Tudor (3rd).
Manager Steve Thompson spoke highly of Andy, saying, "It's wrong to single any one player out, but I think Andy has been an inspiration both on and off the field.
"When I arrived, if I'd had more players with Andy Duncan's single-mindedness and dedication towards Cambridge United, we'd have been safe."
Along with the supporters' votes came many comments of praise for Andy and I have reproduced just a few of them here:
"Andy has been a fantastic attribute to the club this season with faultless performances week after week. Thanks Andy for all your hard work and commitment," said James Hare.
"As always he has been fully committed. Just the player we need, and although he deserves to play for a better club, I would love him to stay and aim to get my vote for player of the season again," said Andy Stock.
"Andy has been a inspiration this season. He is a hard working player and he deserves all the praise he gets, and he's a great bloke as well!" said Peter Marshall.
Andy receives his award from Andrea Thrussell and Andrew Bennett
Duncan Gray thinks, "Andy joins the ranks of United legends," and Gordon McMillan agrees: "The man's a legend - who said Paul Wanless couldn't be replaced?"
"Andy Duncan is Mr Cambridge United, and the King of The Abbey. I just hope he stays," commented Ryan Chapman, while Anton Thacker said, "One of the few to show commitment to the cause through out the whole season."
Runner-up Adam Tann also attracted many glowing comments, best summed up by Ian Attfield, who said, "It's difficult to choose this season but Tanny has probably been the most consistent performer and showed improvement even when the team was suffering. Stepped up another level since the arrival of Steve Thompson."
The vote for the Internet Young Player of the Year award (for players aged 21 and under) was almost as clear cut, with John Ruddy the winner.
John polled over 58% of the votes and again supporters were fulsome in their praise.
"I saw John's first game, he was amazing. Great composure and good shot stopper. The kicking has been a bit funny sometimes but overall he's been a star. I am glad he's got the summer move to Everton," said Peter Marshall.
Luke Gladwish commented, "A great young keeper with a bright future ahead of him, outstanding performances this season. No wonder he will be a premiership player next season!"
Robert Starnes thought John had an "Amazing first season in professional football for someone so young. Hope he won't forget Cambridge United when he's one of the best keepers in the country!"
"When you think this is his first season he has played every game except for injuries and saved Cambridge on many occasions. Will watch his future with great interest," said Brian Thomas, while Simon Howse thinks Ruddy is "fantastic. Just a shame he is leaving."
Mike Osborn reflects, "It's difficult to believe that he only made his debut in the last game of last season. Fully deserves his move, just hope we can find an adequate replacement."
John receives his award from Neil Cole
In second place was Dan Gleeson, while John Turner and Darren Quinton tied for third place.
The final voting category was for 'Goal of the Season' and after two consecutive wins for Shane Tudor goals, this season there was a runaway winner.
Unsurprisingly, with 98% of the votes, the winning goal was the one scored by Tes Bramble against Wycombe in the 'Fans United' match in March.
Only four goals were nominated this year, with the runner-up being Shane Tudor's 90th minute winner against Oxford in February, and honourable mentions for John Turner's hat-trick completing third goal against Rushden in November and Tudor's run and finish at Notts County, also in November.
Of the winning goal, even Bramble himself admitted that he was surprised to see it go on, saying, "When I hit it I thought it was going over and then it dipped at the last minute, so when I saw the net move then I was just delighted that it had gone in."
Team-mate Adam Tann, runner-up in the Player of the Season vote, recalls, "From my angle I was right behind it and when he had a go I thought 'what's he doing?' because it looked like it was just flying into row Z.
"But then all of a sudden it got some swerve and dip on it and rocketed into the top corner. Fair play to him, it was a great strike and a great goal."
There was a moment of hushed shock in the Abbey Stadium before people started celebrating the goal, and Peter Mathews believes, "Even if you watch goal of the month on TV you won't see a much better strike all season. Everyone who saw it was convinced the ball was going over."
Chris Hope added, "Probably the best goal I've ever seen at the Abbey." "No contest," agreed Mike Barnes, among many others.
Tes receives his award from Chris Vessey
Congratulations to everyone mentioned, and sincere thanks to all who voted. The presentations were made by website contributors Andrew Bennett, Neil Cole, Chris Vessey and website manager Andrea Thrussell before our final game in the Football League at home to Notts County on 7th May, 2005.
Previous Featured Players:
10May05: Tes Bramble
05May05: Tom Newey
30Apr05: Adam Tann
23Apr05: Iwan Roberts
10Apr05: Stuart Bimson
17Mar05: Matt Somner
09Mar05: Daniel Chillingworth
24Feb05: Dan Gleeson
17Feb05: Shane Tudor
14Feb05: Richard Hodgson
07Feb05: Warren Goodhind
22Dec04: Darren Quinton
06Dec04: Andy Duncan
24Nov04: John Ruddy
22Oct04: Kingsley Mbome
13Oct04: Jermaine Easter
17Sep04: Justin Walker
09Sep04: John Turner
26Aug04: Luke Guttridge
Last season's Featured Players:
21May04: Your Players of the Year 2003/04
14May04: Ryan Lockett & Stephen Smith
06May04: Matt Robinson
21Apr04: Dan Gleeson
07Apr04: Jermaine Easter
31Mar04: Ashley Nicholls
12Mar04: Alex Revell
04Mar04: David Bridges
20Feb04: Fred Murray
13Feb04: Daniel Webb
02Feb04: Daniel Chillingworth
19Jan04: Shaun Marshall
04Jan04: Adam Tann
29Dec03: Gareth Williams
23Dec03: Franco Nacca
18Dec03: Shane Tudor
11Dec03: Andy Duncan
04Dec03: Stevland Angus
28Nov03: John Turner
21Nov03: Luke Guttridge
29Oct03: Stuart Bimson
21Sep03: Warren Goodhind
21Aug03: Dave Kitson
13Aug03: Justin Walker
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