Player Of The Season: Michael Turner
It is perhaps gratifying that despite all the established stars who have become part of the Tigers' first Premier League jaunt, the runaway winner of this award should be a chap who has been at the club for three eventful seasons.
Michael Turner's campaign has been nothing short of magnificent. Already a highly-prized asset whose performance at Wembley summed up his commitment to the cause as player and man, the unassuming central defender has taken on the best strikers the world has to offer and never fallen short, even though the Tigers have occasionally taken hammerings via both scoreline and performance. Turner has spent the whole season meticulously timing tackles and organising a defence which has managed to maintain a degree of settlement despite all the turmoil elsewhere. The Hull City team is very simply a better place with Turner in it, although we're fortunate to have known nothing else this season as he featured in every minute of every Premier League game, avoiding serious knocks and suspension while the rest of the defence have suffered.
Noticed nationally and praised widely, it seems possible that Turner will get his chance for his country soon, although one hopes that it isn't via the crushing inevitability of a call-up the moment he is sold by Hull City. Wherever the Tigers are next season, Turner will attract lots of summer interest and with his long-term contract signed, at the worst City can rake in an absolute fortune for him - for which, incidentally, he will be worth every penny.
Highly commended: Ian Ashbee - captaincy and maturity par excellence while also playing a steadying midfield role and proving yet more doubters wrong about his ability to ste up another level. Richard Garcia - not expected to rise to the occasion all the time, but a dogged and worthwhile example of what effort and a desire to never give up can do.
Goal of the Season: Geovanni, v Arsenal (a)
Shortly after going behind to Paul McShane's unavoidable own goal, City began a tentative attack upon the Arsenal defence at the Emirates. A long ball was flicked down to Geovanni wide on the left, and the Brazilian took advantage of Arsenal's blithe assumption that nobody would dare shoot against them from distance by cutting inside and swiping a phenomenal 30-yard shot beyond Manuel Almunia and into the top corner, sealing an equaliser that was as euphoric as it was unlikely. It says a lot for the goal's quality that Daniel Cousin's historic winner for the Tigers just minutes later is almost forgotten by comparison, despite setting the seal on the most famous three points ever gained by a Hull City side.
It was Geovanni's second goal for the club. His form, goal threat and attitude fluctuated after the New Year but it will take thousands more misdemeanours before this goal will become a mere statistic on his career as far as the Tiger Nation are concerned. A runaway goal of the season for the Tigers and certain to be close to top marks for the Premier League as a whole too.
Highly commended: Geovanni, v Tottenham (a) - a stunning, swerving free kick which earned a second North London scalp. Craig Fagan, v West Bromwich Albion (h) - a fine diving header from an awkward angle.
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