Joel Piroe wins Swansea City Player of the Season award
Joel Piroe has been named Swansea City Supporters’ Player of the Season for the 2021-22 campaign at the club’s annual awards dinner.
The Dutchman has enjoyed an outstanding first term in Swans colours, racking up 24 goals and six assists following his move from PSV Eindhoven.
His exploits saw him come out on top in our supporter vote via the club’s website, while the 22-year-old also took home the top goalscorer prize.
Chloe Chivers, meanwhile, received the Supporters’ Player of the Season award for Swansea City Ladies after the attacking midfielder once again proved an influential presence as Chris Church’s side secured a third-straight Welsh top-tier title.
Like Piroe, Chivers also scooped the top goalscorer prize after netting 20 goals in all competitions.
Back with the men’s team, defender Kyle Naughton picked up the gong for Players’ Player of the Year, which was voted for by his fellow professionals.
Naughton, 33, passed 250 appearances for the Swans over the course of the campaign, and has been magnificent under head coach Russell Martin in helping implement the overhaul of playing style.
The centre-back recently signed a new deal to keep him with Swansea City for the 2022-23 season.
The Newcomer of the Season prize went to midfielder Flynn Downes for his excellent form in the centre of the park following his move from Ipswich Town last summer.
Downes has dovetailed superbly with captain Matt Grimes in the middle of the pitch and contributed a goal and two assists, while also skippering the side himself against Southampton in the FA Cup.
The Swansea City Ladies’ Newcomer of the Season award went to young midfielder Rhianne Oakley, who made a big impression in another successful season.
A new award for 2022 was the Personality of the Year prize, which was awarded to Jamie Paterson.
The lively midfielder has contributed nine goals and nine assists on the field, but also made his mark with his positivity and sense of humour off it, quickly becoming a fans’ favourite in SA1.
The Academy Player of the Season for the second year rrunning was Cameron Congreve, with the 18-year-old taking the gong after a breakthrough season at first-team level.
The teenager has made four senior appearances, including his full debut against Nottingham Forest, whilst also excelling at under-18 and under-23 level.
Captain Tivonge Rushesha picked up the under-23 Player of the Season award for his leadership and performances in a development side also adjusting to a new system and style of play. It is a challenge he has risen to with maturity and poise.
Off the field there was a thoroughly deserved Lifetime Achievement award for Cath Dyer.
Cath has long worked tirelessly in the services of her fellow supporters in her role as secretary of the Swansea City Disabled Supporters’ Association, and has received merited recognition this season with her reception of the EFL Supporter of the Year award and the Football Supporters’ Association’s Jacqui Forster Memorial Award.
The Alan Curtis award - given to those who have made an outstanding contribution to the club - went to two of Swansea City’s true greats in Lee Trundle and Leon Britton.
Trundle was part of the Swans’ sides that secured promotion to League One in 2005 and Football League Trophy glory against Carlisle a year later with his individual brilliance making him a true cult hero. He now works as a club ambassador where his outgoing personality means he is as popular and as in-demand as ever.
Britton, meanwhile, made over 500 appearances in a 16-year spell in Swansea colours. He experienced three promotions, League Cup glory and the highs of the Premier League and Europa League adventures before hanging up his boots in 2018.
He has since held the sporting director role at the club, and is now part of the coaching staff at under-23 level.
The Community Champion award was presented to The Boot Room in recognition of the magnificent work they do to provide football boots and kit for families unable to afford them, a fantastic cause that the club has been proud to be associated with over recent years.
Last, but not least, the evening included a vote to decide the club’s goal of the season award.
It was no easy task but, in the end, it was Michael Obafemi’s opening goal from the 4-0 win at Cardiff that was picked by attendees as the best on the shortlist.
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.
Full list of winners
Under 23s' Player of the Season (sponsored by Swansea Decorating Services)
Tivonge Rushesha
Academy Player of the Season (sponsored by Swansea.com)
Cameron Congreve
Community Champion award (sponsored by Pure Football)
The Boot Room
Best Newcomer of the Season (sponsored by Ammcom)
Flynn Downes
Top Goalscorer of the Season (sponsored by Peter Lynn & Partners)
Joel Piroe
Goal of the season – (sponsored by Low Cost Vans)
Michael Obafemi v Cardiff City
Players’ Player of the Season (sponsored by Owens)
Kyle Naughton
Supporters’ Player of the season (sponsored by SA1 Group)
Joel Piroe
Swans Personality of the Year (sponsored by Amroc)
Jamie Paterson
Swansea City Ladies Top Goalscorer (sponsored by Peter Lynn & Partners)
Chloe Chivers
Swansea City Ladies Best Newcomer of the Season (sponsored by Ammcom)
Rhianne Oakley
Swansea City Ladies Supporters' Player of the Season (sponsored by SA1 Group)
Chloe Chivers
Lifetime Achievement award (sponsored by SCFC Supporters’ Trust)
Cath Dyer
Alan Curtis Award (sponsored by Budget Carpets)
Leon Britton & Lee Trundle