This year the Shrimpers Trust Player of the Year Awards were held at the Southend United Gala Dinner and Awards night on Monday 18th May 2026.
The Trust would like to thank SUFC for letting us present our Player of the Year Awards at their Gala Dinner due to the manic end of the season and being unable to arrange a suitable date for our own awards evening.
Our first award was the TOM GRACE MEMORIAL SHIELD for the YOUTH TEAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR.
Tom was an avid Southend United Supporter and a junior member of the Trust who sadly passed away at the age of 15 in July 2007. It was decided by the Trust to rename the Youth Team Player of the Year Award the Tom Grace Memorial Shield in his memory.
Unfortunately, none of the winners were in attendance on the night so U19’s Captain, Joe Poxon collected the awards on their behalf.
In 3rd place was Harrison Lamb, with Alfie Humphrey coming in 2nd.
The winner was Nikolay Zlatev, who also won the Club’s Academy POTY.
Congratulations to all the winners, and to the whole squad and management team for a fantastic season.
We would also like to send congratulations to former Youth Team players Collin Andeng-Ndi, Jack Bridge and Oli Coker for their performances at Wembley during the FA Trophy Final.
Our next award was the SHRIMPERS TRUST SUFC LADIES PLAYER OF THE YEAR.
In 3rd place came Abbie Rex, with 2nd going to Zoe Johnstone.
The winner was Molly Lee, who unfortunately was unable to collect her award on the night.
Congratulations to all involved including the players and management.
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We then presented our JUNIOR BLUES PLAYER OF THE YEAR.
This award is voted for by our Junior Blues Members and the winner was Keenan Appiah-Forson.
Congratulations to Keenan for a superb season.
Up next was the SHRIMPERS TRUST MARTIN CRANMER GOAL OF THE SEASON.
Awarded in Memory of Martin Cranmer who sadly passed away at the start of the 2010/11 Season aged just 40.
Martin was a lifelong Supporter of SUFC, one of the founder members of the Southend United Independent Supporters Club and was a Shrimpers Trust Life Member. He travelled all over the country to support the Blues.
The contenders were Jack Bridge vs Woking, Nathan Ralph vs Altrincham, Gus Scott-Morriss vs Eastleigh, Andy Dallas vs Gateshead, Gus Scott Morriss vs Aldershot and Oli Coker vs Halifax.
And the winner was Andy Dallas for his superb lob over the keeper vs Gateshead.
Congratulations to all the other contenders.
The final award presented was SHRIMPERS TRUST PLAYER OF THE YEAR.
The Trust would like to congratulate all the players and coaching staff involved in what was a fine season, culminating in winning the FA Trophy at Wembley.
And so onto the award; in 3rd place was Harry Boyes.
For the second season running was Harry Taylor.
And the winner, for the third consecutive season was Gus-Scott Morriss, who equals Kevin Maher’s record of winning the Trust’s POTY three times.
Congratulations to all the winners.
Thanks to Graham Whitby-Boot for providing the images of our Award presentations.