The Lion City Sailors’ remarkable 2024/25 season – one that saw them complete a historic domestic treble – was fittingly capped off with a night of accolades at the Singapore Premier League (SPL) Awards Night, which was held at Orchard Hotel on Sunday (1 June).

In leading the Sailors back to the summit of Singapore football with an impressive record of 22 wins and six draws from 32 matches, Aleksandar Ranković deservedly edged out BG Tampines Rovers’ Gavin Lee and Geylang International’s Noor Ali to claim his first-ever POLAR Mineral Water Coach of the Year award.

Crediting the team for the individual honour, the Serb said, “It’s a huge honour to win this award, but this actually belongs to the team – my players, my backroom staff, the management – because everyone played their part in such an incredible season for us. I’m very pleased to be with this special group of people at the Lion City Sailors.

“A huge shout-out to my other coaching colleagues in the other teams as well. I know how difficult the job is, so all of you deserve some praise for the work you’ve done over this long season.”

A stunning lob from the halfway line in a 2-2 draw with BG Tampines on 29 September 2024 saw Shawal Anuar beat seven other nominees to clinch his first-ever SELECT Goal of the Year award.

The 34-year-old becomes only the second Sailors player to win the accolade, following in the footsteps of Sailors alumnus Gabriel Quak, who took home the honour in 2021.

“It’s always a wonderful feeling to win an award, but the most important thing is that the goal helped us secure a crucial point in our title chase,” said Shawal. “I always put the team above myself – as long as my goals or assists contribute to the team, that’s mission accomplished.

“I’d like to thank the judges for selecting my goal, and I hope it can inspire the next generation of young players.”

While Shawal and Bailey Wright missed out on the AIA Player of the Year award – which went to Geylang International’s record-breaking forward Tomoyuki Doi – both were named in the AIA SPL Team of the Year, which was dominated by the Sailors.

Joining them in the star-studded XI were Bailey’s centre-back partner Toni Datković and the attacking trio of Bart Ramselaar, Maxime Lestienne, and Lennart Thy – making it six Sailors in the team. The remaining five spots went to BG Tampines Rovers (three) and Geylang International (two).

The Sailors also picked up two SPL Recognition Awards.

Adam Swandi, who retired at the end of 2024 due to a heart condition, was honoured with a SPL Special Award for his contributions to Singapore football over the past decade.

The club was also recognised for its historic Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two campaign, in which they became the first Singaporean side to reach the final of a major Asian club competition.

Capping off an outstanding season both on and off the pitch, the Sailors were also lauded in the media awards category.

Kenneth Tan’s heartfelt feature on the influence of a mother’s support in the rise of Sailors Academy graduate Nur Muhammad Asis – Mother, father, supporter – meet the driving force behind Asis’s rise – was named Story of the Year, beating out strong entries from The Straits Times, CNA Digital, and ESPN Asia.

This is Kenneth’s second straight award in this category, having won in the last edition in 2023. The award was chosen via a panel of public relations experts, academics, and media professionals. 

Lion City Sailors’ winners for SPL Awards Night 2024/25

POLAR Mineral Water Coach of The Year: Aleksandar Ranković

SELECT Goal of the Year: Shawal Anuar (vs BG Tampines Rovers, 29 September 2024)

AIA SPL Team of the Year: Bailey Wright, Toni Datković, Bart Ramselaar, Maxime Lestienne, Lennart Thy, Shawal Anuar 

SPL Recognition Awards: Adam Swandi – SPL Special Award, Sporting Excellence in Singapore Football (2015 – 2024)

Lion City Sailors FC – Outstanding Performance as Runners-up of the AFC Champions League Two 2024/25

Story of the Year: Mother, Father, Supporter – meet the driving force behind Asis’s rise by Kenneth Tan