Tomáš Souček has been crowned 2020/21 Betway Hammer of the Year!
West Ham United’s outstanding Czech Republic international midfielder won the acclaim of the Claret and Blue Army for his performances in the Club’s record-breaking season.
The 26-year-old was influential all over the pitch as the Irons finished sixth in the Premier League, setting records for points, wins and away wins.
Souček was an ever-present in the top-flight, starting and finishing all 38 matches, illustrating his resilience and determination to help his team.
The Czech made good use of his time on the pitch, too, ending the campaign as the Club’s joint-leading scorer with ten goals, alongside Michail Antonio, and winning more aerial battles than any other Premier League player. The No28 also led the Hammers in a host of other statistical categories – shots, tackles and interceptions – and ranked second in passes and clearances.
It’s incredible because I have many memories of last year, but I cannot say just one because the season went so fast, but so well
Tomáš Souček
First introduced by the West Ham United Supporters’ Club in 1958, the award has been won by some of the greatest players in the Club’s history, including Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, Billy Bonds, Trevor Brooking, Tony Cottee and Paolo Di Canio.
The popular Souček, who becomes the second Czech to be voted Hammer of the Year after goalkeeper Luděk Mikloško in 1991, collected the trophy at the 2020/21 Player Awards, brought to you by Betway, which you can watch here.
“Thank you!” smiled Souček. “I appreciate it because this season was incredible for me and I just hope that everyone enjoyed it with me, and I hope we can carry on. I really appreciate this prize.
“It’s incredible because I have many memories of last year, but I cannot say just one because the season went so fast, but so well.
“I was happy that it went so well for me, but also for the team because it was so important. I appreciate this prize, but this prize is for the whole team.”
Souček edged compatriot and close friend Vladimír Coufal into second place, with 2019/20 winner Declan Rice in third, and the midfielder said all-round quality in the squad made it easier for him to produce his best.
“It’s great because I am playing with these guys every day at Rush Green and especially with Dec we created a great double act,” he told hosts Chris Scull, Carlton Cole and Guvna B. “We knew after a few games what one could do and the other could do, so we had a good relationship and we knew each other.
“I know Nobes and Manu are great footballers too, so we have a really good team and I am glad we could adapt very well to each other.”
A great character blessed with a superb sense of humour, Souček also discussed his love for potato salad and for coming into the training ground on his days off to maintain his incredible fitness levels.
He is also hugely looking forward to the 2021/22 campaign, which will see the Hammers compete in the UEFA Europa League group stage for the first time.
“I am very excited!” he confirmed. “I know that it will be very hard because everyone will compare with last season and it’ll be very hard because we did a Club record and now we’re in the Europa League and that’s something special for us.
“I am looking forward to it because I know the Europa League from my former team and it was really great to meet other teams in other countries, so it’s good, and I hope we have the abilities at the Club to get through our group and we’ll still be very good in our league.
“It’s very important because I like to play in European competition, so I hope we will be there next season as well.”
