Bees fans – hold on to your hats. It’s that time of the year when we launch our vote for the finest accolade in sport – the Beesotted Player of the Season. Previous winners include Richard Lee, Jonathan Douglas and Charlie MacDonald, at least one of whom actually received a trophy, albeit a second hand one.
How to Vote – The easiest way to vote is here on SurveyMonkey. We are also taking votes from comments left below this article as well as votes left on the Beesotted Message Board – please only vote for one player or your vote will not be counted.
It’s arguably the hardest ever field to pick from this time around, with several players in contention. To whet your appetite, here is how some of the Beesotted crew have voted:
Alan McCormack
Oh Alan McCormack. For me there is no doubt about the player who deserves our Player of the Season award. The steely eyed Irishman has added bite and an absolute compulsion to win to our team this season – put simply, he’s the enforcer that we have been missing since Terry Hurlock. We signed him to dominate the centre of the park – a task which he set upon with ferocious intent – but with a plethora of midfield talent also available his shift to right back coincided with the start of our fantastic run. McCormack is a brave player – not just in the tackle but crucially in keeping custody of the ball. He fights hard to win possession and simply won’t give it away cheaply – a point that he instils ferociously in his on pitch colleagues with a barrage of Celtic verbal direction and a glare from those terrifying eyes. He gives his all to the cause and demands the same from his team-mates. And from referees. If he told you to vote for him, you would vote for him. So vote McCormack, out of admiration, appreciation and a little bit of fear. He knows where you live. Condorman
Adam Forshaw
We really do have to come up with a song that better captures the magnificence of Adam Forshaw – for he’s my play of the season – and the perfect example of the vision and quality that Mark Warburton and Mathew Benham are pinning our club’s future upon. Week in, week out, I’ve found myself turning to my mates on the terrance and saying, “he’s too good for this league… way too good!” Looking back through the history books, as I have done a lot in recent weeks whilst working on the club’s 125 Year Anniversary book, Harry Curtis could cite landmark signings as the catalyst for the club’s first meteoric rise through the leagues – players like Dai Hopkins and Duncan McKenzie – and I have no doubt that Forshaw will cement his place in the next wave of ‘Hall Of Fame’ invitees when we look back at those responsible for Brentford’s Second Coming to the top flight. I’ve rarely seen a player as composed and comfortable on the ball in a red and white shirt – Forshaw never needs to look down in possession – instead adopting a Meerkat-like posture as he strains his neck looking for the killer pass – that will be a lasting caricature of a cracking player. Adam winning the Football League League One Player of the Season will, I hope, not be the only prize he picks up this season – admittedly there are several deserving candidates for the Bees Player of the Year – but Forshaw deserves it in my view. Dave Lane
Tony Craig
Craig is a name of Scottish Gaelic origin meaning ‘from the crag’ or cliff, rock. Sounds about right to me. With so many worthy candidates to choose from this year, the eye catchers, the goal scorers, the silky skilled midfielders, the bearded warriors, all those who can hit the heights of the 10/10 ratings, it seems appropriate to me to give the award to the man who never drops below an 8. Step forward Tony Craig. A man who his fellow pros say is one of the hardest men to play against. A leader who leads by example and actions, educating the youngsters around him, driving them to improve, a defender who absolutely hates to lose a challenge or header and who despises conceding a goal, even if four nil up. A fantastic reader of the game, always available for a pass, always taking responsibility. His now legendary one versus five hold up and challenge has to be a seasonal highlight, and his rare dribbling forays into the box give hope that he will finally get the goal which would send the crowd wild. I still love Harlee Dean. But the song needs updating as TC warrants more than mere like. Vote TC. The Dutchman
Jonathan Douglas
You could put half a dozen Brentford players’ names in a hat for Player of the Year, pick any one out and have very little dissent that the player deserves the accolade. That’s how good a season we’ve had. But I’d like to make the case for Jonny Douglas. It’s no coincidence that his return to the side coincided with our stunning run of form. His first game back from injury was the now notorious Stevenage game where he was unable to do anything about Button’s rush of blood to the head allowing Stevenage to equalise and give them the confidence to go find a winner. The following dressing room discussion led to a more settled side with Douglas at the helm. Douglas provides a reassuring presence to the back four, even allowing Tarkowski to travel forward with the ball, and gives Forshaw and Saville the opportunity charge into the box to join the front three. He breaks up opposition play, moves the ball quickly and is always available for the pass. His anticipation of where the ball is going to be never fails to amaze and the ground he covers is incredible. Whereas our full backs run up and down the line Douglas is a more three-dimensional player covering pretty much the whole pitch and even bursting into the box to knock in a crucial header when needed. Douglas is the heart of this wonderful side. Vote Douglas. Savvy Bee
Obviously there are other players worthy of votes – Jake Bidwell has had an excellent season for example whilst Trotta and Donaldson have scored some important goals. So let us know YOUR player of the season and we will announce the results next week.
Can I vote for 2??????
Totally split between Tony Craig – 400% reliable! captain fantastic or Alan McCormack – again, every game outstanding, hard as nails, gives 100% every game.
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McCormack!
Oh Alan McCormack gets my vote!
McCormack
Alan MCCormack
My vote for player of the year goes to Alan McCormack – but in any other year Forshaw, Craig and Douglas could all have won the accolade.
There is one beast who has driven the hoardes of lesser clubs back and ensured that the mighty bees have prevailed. week in and week out this guys name is banded about like a thing of legend…There is only one ALAN MCCORMACK!
It’s got to be McCormack for me. He’s been so solid, so reliable and so consistent this season and I’m sure that he will only get better. A real leader and tough tackler, but also so comfortable on the ball – thanks Alan!
Alan McCormack for me as well please
Has to be Alan McCormack!
Oh god it’s a really tough call, SO many talented players, all potential contenders!!
But I guess the person who I found myself raving about post matches was….
Oohhh Alan McCormack…!!!
Total commitment, always gives 110%
Definatly Alan he has been strong all season great player
.He has been driving the team forwards and won of the reasons we got promoted
Has to be Alan McCormack
Big Alan for me too. Whilst one man doesn’t make team, so noticeable when he’s absent; Carlisle away a case in point!
Has to be Alan Mac for me been superb all season,but all deserve an award
Tony Craig for me. Ever present much improved. Played with a broken hand. Improved us as a defensive unit.
McCormack a close second and if we had him last season we would have been promoted. Fact.
No brainer. Alan McCormack.
Tough choice for me between Biders and Macca , both been outstanding this season as has TC , but MACCA gets my vote … Sorry Jake
Yes gota be Alan McCormack for me as well. Had a brilliant season as have all the players but alas we can only vote for one.
I see Beesotted as the fun, slightly leftfield, strand of Brentford FC. So while I’d give my official BFC POTY vote to either Craig, Macca or Forshaw, my vote with you guys will be slightly different.
Marcello Trotta for the triumphant return. Biggest bollocks I’ve ever seen in football. Metaphorically of course. A shining example of how to turn something awful into something beautiful. Cheers Trotts.
Don’t quite understand where that profile pic came from. F******g disgusting! Actually a Mofile pic.
Alan McCormack
He has been superb. Great in midfield but brilliant at right back.
Most improved player goes to Bidwell, most consistent player goes to Craig, but have to agree that the accolade goes to……OH Alan McCormack!!