Galekovic taking out the night's big award was a popular choice among the crowd at the club's night of glitz and glamour, the keeper having a standout year which included 10 clean sheets and 82 saves in the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 Season, plus six clean sheets in United's historic 2008 AFC Champions League campaign.

The 27 year-old also captured the Player's Player Award, which is an award voted on by the players to the player who has consistently been the most valuable on the field and has continually set high standards for his team mates, capping off a big night for the keeper.

Galekovic said: "It's great to be honoured by the players and to be the club champion but in the end you want to win team trophies and hopefully next year we can win the championship.

"It was definitely a surprise. You just come here for a good night and if you win an award it's a bonus. To win two awards is something special and I'm really honoured to be a part of it."

Galekovic, who was Melbourne Victory's second choice keeper before joining Adelaide United midway through the 2007/08 season, made numerous world class saves throughout the season, playing a major part in the Reds' success, his performances earning him a Qantas Socceroos call up.

"18 months ago I was in Melbourne and sitting on the bench as the second keeper. To come to Adelaide and get a new lease of life, I love it here and hopefully I will be here for a long time to come because I love the club and the players are fantastic," Galekovic said.

Other award winners on the night included hard working midfielder Fabian Barbiero, who was named Best Team Man, while Scott Jamieson added to his Hyundai A-League Rising Star Award with the club's Rising Star accolade.

Michael Marrone, who was recently signed to The Reds' Hyundai A-League squad, and Di Alagich, took out the Most Valuable Player for United's National Youth League and Westfield W-League teams respectively.

The night celebrated and concluded what has been a momentous year for Adelaide United after their conquests in the Hyundai A-League, AFC Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup, The Reds' senior squad now taking leave before resuming pre season training in mid April.

 Adelaide United 2008/09 Award Winners

Aurelio Vidmar Club Champion

Eugene Galekovic

(The most prestigious award and highest accolade to be bestowed upon a player. The award goes to a player who has consistently made a significant and positive difference to the team's performance during the games played, represented the club in an exemplary way, portrayed a totally professional attitude to everything he did on and off the park and personifies the vision of the club)

 Player's Player

Eugene Galekovic

(Voted by his team mates to be consistently the most valuable player on the park, set standards on and off the park that all players in the team aspire to and best exemplify their ideal type of player)

 Best Team Man

Fabian Barbiero

(Voted by the coaches as a player who exemplifies, on and off the park, the culture, values and morals that all members of the squad can aspire to, has shown themselves to consistently put their needs second to that of the team and has never complained about making a sacrifice)

Rising Star

Scott Jamieson

(A young player voted by the coaches to have made a significant impact over the season, demonstrated the greatest growth in their development as a professional player and promises the greatest potential growth as a professional player)

Most Valuable Player - National Youth League

Michael Marrone

(The player who consistently made a significant and positive difference to the team's performance during the games played and portrayed a totally professional attitude)

Most Valuable Player - Westfield Women's League

Di Alagich

(The player who consistently made a significant and positive difference to the team's performance during the games played and portrayed a totally professional attitude)