Gonçalo Franco named Swansea City Supporters' Player of the Season
Gonçalo Franco has been named Swansea City Supporters’ Men’s Player of the Season for the 2024-25 campaign at the club’s annual awards evening.
The Portuguese midfielder has had an excellent first season with the Swans, having joined from Moreirense during the 2024 summer transfer window.
His bustling energy with and without the ball have made him an eye-catching presence in the centre of the park, and he quickly established himself as a fan favourite with his all-action displays.
His exploits saw him come out on top when the Jack Army were asked to vote for their best player of the campaign, while Franco was also selected by his teammates as the Men’s Players’ Player of the Season.
The Men’s Top Goalscorer prize was secured by Liam Cullen, with the Wales international scoring a career-best return of 11 goals across the campaign.
The Women’s Top Goalscorer award went to striker Stacey John-Davis after another goal-laden campaign from the long-serving forward.
Experienced defender Jess Williams was named Women’s Players’ Player of the Season after another campaign where she has proved the model of consistency and helped the Swans end a tough campaign with an unbeaten run during phase two of the Genero Adran Premier.
The Men’s Best Newcomer of the Season prize went to goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux for his fine performances since joining Swansea from Burnley last summer.
Vigouroux has 14 clean sheets to his name, with seven of those coming in his last 12 appearances, and has made countless important saves and interventions.
The Women’s Best Newcomer of the Season award was given to teenager Aimee Deacon, who has enjoyed an excellent season after her arrival from Barry Town United.
Her pace and eye for goal saw her among the Swans leading scorers, and she notably netted back-to-back hat-tricks during the autumn.
The Academy Player of the Season was Jacob Cook, with the midfielder being rewarded for a campaign where he has repeatedly showcased his composure and reading of the game.
Cook recently signed his first pro deal with the club, and netted a goal at the Swansea.com Stadium when the under-21s beat Burnley earlier this month.
Defender Arthur Parker picked up the Under-21s’ Player of the Season award despite still being aged just 18.
The versatile defender, who can operate on both flanks and further forward, has produced a number of high-quality displays and was rewarded by being included in the senior matchday squad to face Burnley in March.
Off the field the Swansea City Supporters’ Trust Lifetime Achievement award went to Esme Allchurch.
The widow of the late, great Ivor Allchurch, and the honorary president of the club’s Former Players’ Association, Esme’s passion and love for Swansea City has endured for over seven decades.
She has long championed the cause of keeping those who have worn the famous white shirt close to the club, and remains as shrewd and knowledgeable a judge of the game as you could wish to meet.
The Alan Curtis award - given to those who have made an outstanding contribution to the club - went to Nigel Stevenson and Wyndham Evans.
Between them the pair made over 600 appearances for the club and were among those to feature in every division as John Toshack’s side climbed from the bottom tier to the top-flight of English football during a golden era for the club in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
They have remained a presence at the club since hanging up their boots, as much loved hosts in our hospitality lounges on matchdays and as Swans TV contributors.
The evening included a vote to decide the club’s Goal of the Season award.
There were half-a-dozen options to choose from, but it was Josh Key's stunning long-range strike against Plymouth Argyle that came out on top in a vote among attendees.
Last, but certainly not least, Helen Elton was recognised as the club’s Community Champion as she prepared to retire following 13 years of outstanding service with the Swansea City AFC Foundation.
Elton served as fundings and partnerships officer, head of community, and head of grants and funding for the club’s charitable arm.
Her tireless efforts helped the Foundation expand its range of projects and initiatives designed to help and support those within our city and community, playing a particularly key role in ensuring sessions continued to be delivered during the challenging period of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Swansea City would like to thank all its sponsors and partners for their support over the course of the season and of tonight’s event.
SWANSEA CITY 2024-25 PLAYER AWARDS EVENING (SPONSORED BY AMMCOM)
Under-21s' Player of the Season (Sponsored by Talent Hire): Arthur Parker
Academy Player of the Season (Sponsored by Perfect Media): Jacob Cook
Swansea City Community Champion (Sponsored by the Disabled Supporters' Association): Helen Elton
Men's Best Newcomer of the Season (Sponsored by Ammcom): Lawrence Vigouroux
Women's Best Newcomer of the Season (Sponsored by Ammcom): Aimee Deacon
Men's Top Goalscorer of the Season (Sponsored by Peter Lynn & Partners): Liam Cullen
Women's Top Goalscorer of the Season (Sponsored by Peter Lynn & Partners): Stacey John-Davis
Men's Goal of the Season (Sponsored by The Resin Co.): Josh Key v Plymouth Argyle
Men's Players' Player of the Season (Sponsored by Owens Group): Gonçalo Franco
Women's Players' Player of the Season (Sponsored by Owens Group): Jess Williams
Men's Supporters' Player of the Season (Sponsored by Shirgar Welsh Butter): Gonçalo Franco
Swansea City Lifetime Achievement Award (Sponsored by Swansea City Supporters' Trust): Esme Allchurch
Alan Curtis Award (Sponsored by Aquasafe): Nigel Stevenson and Wyndham Evans