Ferdi and Fran win player of the season awards

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A glittering night at the Amex saw 13 awards presented and the 125th anniversary shirt unveiled.

2026-05-19T23:10+01:00

Men's player of the season Ferdi Kadioglu. 📷Paul Hazlewood

Ferdi Kadioglu and Fran Kirby won the player of the season accolades at Tuesday’s glittering Player Awards, sponsored by American Express.

More than 400 guests and club legends enjoyed a brilliant occasion, hosted by Jim White and Alex Aljoe, which as well as recognising this season’s on-the-pitch achievements also celebrated the club’s storied history at the start of the 125 Anniversary celebrations.

Fran Kirby with her player of the year trophy. 📷Paul Hazlewood

A spectacular stage was built in front of the tunnel for the presentations while big screens brought the club’s history to life in a series of evocative films. The special kit the team will wear in the 125th anniversary Premier League match in September was unveiled and modelled by members of the under-21 squad who won the PL2 play-off final on Saturday.

The spectacular pitch-side stage where the player awards took place on Tuesday. 📷Paul Hazlewood

Several legends were in attendance to help present the awards including Dave Hollins, John Templeman, Julie Hemsley, Brian Horton, Gordon Smith, Gordon Greer, Craig Mackail-Smith, Hope Powell, Dani Bowman and Anthony Knockeart.

Fabian Hurzeler and Dario Vidosic were interviewed ahead of the climax to the season. On Sunday victory over Manchester United at the Amex will seal European football for the second time in the club’s history while our women’s team head to Wembley on 31 May to play in the FA Cup final for the first time.

Young player of the season winners Charlie Rule and Diego Gomez. 📷Paul Hazlewood

The awards culminated in Ferdi and Fran picking up the respective player of the year awards while the players’ player awards went to Danny Welbeck and Kiko Seike, who lead the goalscoring charts for our teams this season.

The young player of the year for players aged 23 or under were awarded to Diego Gomez and Charlie Rule while the goals of the season went to Kaoru Mitoma, for his brilliant volley against Spurs, and Nadine Noordam, whose stoppage-time strike sealed Albion’s 3-2 win against Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final. For Kaoru, it was the third successive year he has won the goal of the season award.

Women's players' player of the season Kiko Seike. 📷Paul Hazlewood

As well as celebrating achievements on the pitch other awards celebrated our heroes off the pitch.

Foundation Award winner Layla Burberry. 📷Paul Hazlewood

The Sarah Watts Inspiration Award was awarded posthumously to PC Brad Corke, a big Albion fan who died on duty earlier this year. It was presented to Brad’s father Steve and his brother Nathan. Nathan is doing the Three Peaks challenge with Brad’s best mates Joe and Jamie to raise money for Kent & Sussex Air Ambulance charity.

The team behind The Terrace, who won the Peter Godfrey Innovation Award. 📷Paul Hazlewood

The Dick Knight Award for Outstanding Contribution was awarded to Ray Bloom, whose connection the club goes back more than 40 years.

The Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation Award acknowledged exceptional achievement by one of the charity’s beneficiaries and was won by Layla Burberry, who has overcome cerebral palsy to play football for the club.

Fan of the Year Alan Welsh with Kerry Mayo and Steve Gritt. 📷Paul Hazlewood

Alan Welsh, who follows Albion home and away even though he lives 500 miles from the Amex in Dundee, received the James Byrnin fan of the season award.

Women's goal of the season Nadine Noordam. 📷Paul Hazlewood

The Peter Godfrey Innovation Award went to the team behind The Terrace - Peter Gray, Laura Collins, Russ Wood, Anna Easthope, Jo Brooks, Maisie Hunter and Piers McDermott. The Terrace also won the Best Football Experience at the Football Business Awards last week.