It was a celebration of all things Glasgow City on Thursday night as our annual Player of the Year awards took place at the voco Grand Central hotel in the centre of the city we call home.
More than 200 people – from sponsors, Academy players, family and friends, our first team squad to coaches – were in attendance to acknowledge the efforts of everyone involved at the club throughout this campaign.
After dinner and the first set were presented to our Next Gen Under-13's team and were presented by coaches Michael Meighan and Stephen Main alongside first team players Mairead Fulton and Katie Lockwood.
The winners were Calla MacKenzie (Most Improved), Millie Keyes (Players’ Player) and Sofia Ettaouchi (Player of the Year).
Up next was our Next Gen Under-15's who were given their awards by coach Rachel Mair and Head of Player Development Michael Gaughan alongside Hayley Lauder and Fiona Brown.
The winners were Mia McCamon (Most Improved), Emily Penny (Players’ Player) and Taylor MacMillan (Player of the Year).
Rounding off our Academy awards, coaches Ryan Wilson and Danny McLaughlin were joined by first team players and fellow coaches Lisa Evans and Lee Gibson to present to our Next Gen Under-17's.
The winners were Ava Riddex (Most Improved), Eva McKean (Players’ Player) and Charlotte Gates (Player of the Year).
And then it was time for an inaugural addition to our awards night, the Heart of Our City Award, which aims to champion the work done in our community by those involved in the club.
Presenting the award to winner Garry Leighton – our operations executive – was club captain Jo Love.
It was then time to turn our attention to the first team who are currently competing on two fronts: the SWPL and the Scottish Cup.
Throughout the evening, those in the room had been voting for their Goal of the Season and that was the maiden first team award to be presented.
The runaway winner was Nicole Kozlova’s stunning strike against Celtic at Petershill Park from back in February.
She said: “That was a very special strike because my parents were at that game, so that was special because they live so far away.
“Every goal is important because it takes us a step closer to what we need. I want to do whatever I can to help this team and if that is putting the ball in the back of the net then I’m going to do everything I can to do that.”
The first pre-determined award for our senior squad was the Coaches Player of the Year which went to Aleigh Gambone. And it proved to be a double for the American midfielder who was also named Players’ Player of the Year.
A powerhouse in midfield, Gambone has been a consistent performer for Glasgow City during a season that she has made 28 Scottish Women’s Premier League appearances to date.
The American, who is in her second season at City, has scored on four occasions – one behind her return for last season with three games left go – and registered seven assists.
She has also played in each of our Scottish Cup matches, helping us reach the final, where we will contest Rangers at Hampden, for the first time since 2022.
Her performances in the middle of the park were also recognised by her fellow players as Gambone was named in this season’s PFA Scotland SWPL Team of the Year.
She said: “It was a special night. Both of the awards mean to much to me. I appreciate what the coaches think of me and what my teammates think of me.
“There are two more trophies that I hope I’ll be lifting at the end of the season, so I’m just looking forward to having the opportunity to do that with this team.”
Not only has she enjoyed an impressive debut campaign in Scotland, but she has proven to be a fan favourite as Samantha van Diemen was named our Supporters’ Player of the Year.
Throughout her maiden season at the club, the defender has played each of our 29 Scottish Women’s Premier League games thus far.
As part of our formidable backline, van Diemen has helped City maintain a solid defensive record this term, conceding on only 15 occasions over 29 games.
She has also contributed to our attacking stats having scored three goals and registered five assists in the league.
In City’s run to the Scottish Cup final, the defender played in all but one game and scored her first goal in the competition in our fourth-round win against Celtic.
In her debut season in Scotland, van Diemen was named in the PFA Scotland SWPL Team of the Year and was one of four players nominated for the Player of the Year award.
She said: “I really wasn’t expecting this at all. It means a lot and for it to come from the fans means even more.”
Following the awards to the City players of today, it was time to celebrate those who came before us as we inducted the first-ever members of our Hall of Fame.
Club legends Jo Love, Leanne Ross, Suzanne Lappin, Emma Fernon and Kath Kimmet were all acknowledged for their individual contributions to the club by founders Laura and CAS, with their legacy now immortalised.
An article dedicated to our Hall of Fame inductees will be published on our website in due course.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
Next Gen Under-13's:
Most Improved – Calla Mackenzie
Players’ Player – Millie Keyes
Player of the Year – Sofia Ettaouchi
Next Gen Under-15's:
Most Improved – Mia McCamon
Players’ Player – Emily Penny
Player of the Year – Taylor MacMillan
Next Gen Under-17's:
Most Improved – Ava Riddex
Players’ Player – Eva McKean
Player of the Year – Charlotte Gates
Heart of Our City Award: – Garry Leighton
First Team:
Goal of the Season - Nicole Kozlova's strike v Celtic
Coaches Player of the Year – Aleigh Gambone
Supporters’ Player of the Year – Samantha van Diemen
Players’ Player of the Year – Aleigh Gambone