Sam Dalby was named Player of the Season as he picked up two of the night’s big prizes at Wanderers’ End of Season Awards.
The striker was voted the Whites’ top player of the 2025/26 campaign by the fans to land the prestigious award after stepping up to help spearhead Wanderers’ promotion challenge.
Dalby was also crowned the season’s top scorer thanks to his 13 goals in all competitions – one ahead of Mason Burstow with two play-off semi-final legs and possibly a trip to Wembley two come.
On a glittering night where Wanderers recognised the achievements of the men’s and women’s teams, the Academy and community and supporter stars, Amario Cozier-Duberry was another double winner.
The winger was named as Wanderers’ Young Player of the Year and also got the vote of his team-mates to be named Players’ Player of the Year thanks to an outstanding season on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion.
Another loan player – Corey Blackett-Taylor – also made his mark as the Derby County winger captured the Goal of the Season Award, also voted for by the supporters, for his stunning late winner against Wycombe Wanderers.
Dalby’s twin success represents an outstanding effort from the 26-year-old to recover from a slow start to the season and become a key part of Steven Schumacher’s side which faces a two-legged play-off semi-final against Bradford after finishing fifth in League One.
The former Wrexham striker suffered a major hamstring injury in pre-season after signing for the Whites, via a productive loan spell at Dundee United, last summer.
Dalby’s first league goal didn’t come until mid-October but his header against Huddersfield Town sparked a vital comeback for the Whites and kick-started his own campaign which really burst into life from January onwards as Wanderers secured a top-six place and he blazed a trail towards earning his individual honours.
“It means a lot to me to get the support from everyone here and to see the names on this trophy, and the history of the club, it feels amazing,” said Dalby, who’s hoping to recover from a recent knock to play some part in the play-offs.
“I’m surprised I’ve won it really, but I just got my head down and I'm proud of what I've done and I've enjoyed being in the team. I’m working hard to get back on the pitch again now to help the lads out and we’ll see how it goes.
“It’s been a good season and we’ve got to take it one game at a time now and try and finish the job.”
Cozier-Duberry also spent a spell on the sidelines earlier in the season, with a knee injury sustained in January forcing the 20-year-old to miss 12 games.
But he did enough either side of that absence with nine goals, and 10 assists in League One, to earn the plaudits of his team-mates to win the sought-after players’ prize.
“It means a lot to me and I want to thank everyone and the players who voted for me,” said Cozier-Duberry. “They have really helped me this season and I’m just so grateful to them and everyone here. I’ve really enjoyed my time here and hopefully the best is still to come.”
Award winners
Player of the Season (sponsored by Franking Sense): Sam Dalby
Players’ Player of the Season (sponsored by Dreams2Reality): Amario Cozier-Duberry
Top Goal Scorer (sponsored by Bolton CCTV): Sam Dalby
Goal of the Season (sponsored by Heritage Trade Frames): Corey Blackett-Taylor
Young Player of the Year (sponsored by AGR Building and Fencing Contractors): Amario Cozier-Duberry
Women’s Player of the Year (sponsored by Bernsteins Kitchens): Annabelle White
Women’s Players’ Player of the Year (sponsored by Stanmore Insurance): Natasha Dale
Academy Player of the Season (sponsored by Cumberland Farms): Toby Ritchie
Community Champion (sponsored by Bolton Council): Eoin Toal
Supporter of the Season (sponsored by Bolton Wanderers Supporters’ Trust): Luka Bardhaj
BWitC Community Star (sponsored by Product Care Group): Phil Heys