I’ve been planning for a while on going slightly off-piste, and writing a non Arsenal related blog. Given that the ten nominees for Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) are announced tomorrow night, this seemed like something decent for me to have a go at. Tragically, it happens to be the same day that we mourn the death of Gary Speed, a true personality of British football. As Dan Walker wrote in his incredibly moving blog, now is not the time to discuss the reasons behind Gary’s death, but to remember the life that he lived.
A fantastic footballer, including spells at Leeds United, Everton, Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers, and the first Premier League player to reach 500 appearances in the Division. Also the most capped outfield player for Wales, representing his country 85 times, 44 of which as Captain. He was a player who everyone respected, clearly loved by his fellow professionals, and boasted a career that any youngster would aspire to emulate.
As a Manager, Gary managed Sheffield United for a few months before landing the role as Wales boss in December 2010. Despite inheriting a squad that subsequently fell to a record low position of 117th in the FIFA Rankings, he turned it around fantastically and Wales found themselves ranked 45th in the rankings in October this year.
It’s always horrible when a talented life is ended early. It’s been incredible to see the tributes pour in for him, and it shows just how many people he has touched during his career and what a fantastic community football can be when it’s brought together. I’m so sorry for this family and his friends, and hope they are allowed to grieve in privacy. Rest In Peace, Gary.
The aim of this blog is to look at the lead contenders (in my opinion!) of the main categories for SPOTY, what they’ve achieved, and why they are in with a chance of landing the much coveted end of year award for British sportsmen/women. Hope you enjoy!
Sports Personality Of The Year contenders
Mark Cavendish
In my eyes, the favourite. I’m not a big follower of cycling, but it’s been hard to avoid the year that Mark Cavendish has had. He became the first British winner of the Tour de France Green Jersey (the sprint competition), winning five of the 21 stages. As if that wasn’t enough, he became only the second Brit to win the World Championship road race in Copenhagen in September. He has his eyes firmly set on 2012 now; the Olympics, and racing for Team Sky (plus the birth of his first child). But if you are truly going to award the main prize at SPOTY to the most successful British sportsman of the year, look no further than Mark Cavendish.
Rory McIlroy
After all the expectation, 2011 has finally been the year that Rory McIlroy truly marked his stamp on the world of golf. Despite throwing away a four shot lead on the final day at the Masters in the opening Major of the year, he put it immaculately right at the US Open where he destroyed the field to win his first Major by eight shots. He became the youngster Major winner since Tiger Woods in 1997, and the youngest US Open winner since 1923. Despite struggling in the remaining two Major Championships, he hit some sensational form at the end of the season, and now finds himself a career high second in the world rankings. It’s not far-fetched to suggest he’ll be one better this time next year. He’s had a brilliant year, but I think he’ll have to wait until he lands the main gong at SPOTY.
Darren Clarke
Who’d have thought at the beginning of the year, that Darren Clarke would be a serious challenger for SPOTY? The 43-year-old Northern Irishman won his first Major at the British Open in July, after a weather affected four days at Royal St George’s. A true personality of the world of golf, and much loved amongst British sports fans, Clarke has already come close to the prize after he came in second after his Ryder Cup heroics in 2006. No doubt his final chance to win the main prize, and I’m sure he’ll get a large portion of the public vote. Top three definite. Possible winner.
Luke Donald
It’s really been a great year for British golf! Luke Donald should also be seriously considered, for his incredible consistency throughout the year, and his rise to world number one in the world of golf. Winner of the BMW PGA Championship, Scottish Open, WGC Matchplay Championship, top ten finishes in two Majors, and third place in the FedEx Cup. Not to mention becoming the first ever golfer to finish top of the PGA and European Tour Money Lists, it’s been an incredible year for Luke. Can’t help but feel his success is more appreciated in America than in Britain, and the lack of a Major trophy will ultimately cost him a real shot at winning the award, but he should be a nominee for sure.
Alastair Cook
It seems like an age ago that we won The Ashes in Australia, but Alastair Cook’s form in that series, as well as the rest of the year, makes him another serious contender for SPOTY. He was the best player down under by a country mile, amassing 766 runs in the five test series, and becoming the second highest English run scorer in Ashes history. Not to mention picking up the Man Of The Series award. He wasn’t done there either, scoring a further three centuries against Sri Lanka and India respectively in the summer. Currently ranked third in the Test Batsman rankings, and probably the most likely of the cricketers to win (or get a place) in the awards.
Mo Farah
Not only is he a Gooner, but he’s a pretty decent runner too. After a fantastic 2010, Mo Farah was at it again during 2011. He became the first British winner of a long distance event at the World Championships, winning the 5,000m in South Korea. And was also impressive on his way to silver in the 10,000m. Also winning the 3,000m gold at the European Athletics Indoor Championships, Mo is a popular guy in British sport, and worthy of his place as an expected nominee for SPOTY.
International Sport Personality Of The Year
Sebastian Vettel
One of the most dominant performances during a Formula One season that you’ll ever see. From the first race in Australia, it was clear that Sebastian Vettel meant serious business, and the title was pretty much decided by the time he’d won the eighth race of the season (his sixth) in Valencia. Sebastian ended the season with a record 15 pole positions, and 11 wins. A huge 122 points ahead of second place Jenson Button in the Driver Standings. Given the serious amount of driving talent in the field this season, including four other former World Champions, it was total annihilation. And this, his second World Championship, is highly unlikely to be his last either. My personal favourite for the International SPOTY award. But the next bloke might be close…
Novak Djokovic
Much like Vettel, Novak Djokovic has too enjoyed a year of substantial domination in his sport. Winner of ten tournaments in 2011, including three of the four Grand Slams (Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open) and he set a new record for winning the most amount of prize money in a season on the ATP World Tour. He went 43 matches unbeaten (including two matches in 2010), and surged his way to World Number One. Fatigue clearly got the better of him at the end of the season, but ending the year with 70 wins and only six losses is worthy of serious praise. Especially as it occurred during the period of the highest ever standard of men’s tennis, as Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer are still very much at the top of their game.
Team Of The Year
England Test Cricket
What a year for the English Test cricket team. I don’t care what anyone says, but Test cricket is still very much the premier format of the game, and it is a brilliant achievement that we currently sit proudly top of the Test World Rankings. This was achieved after several years of hard work, but finally confirmed on the back of our first series win in Australia for 24 years, the summer series wins over Sri Lanka, and whitewashing then number one ranked side India. There are arguments that the standard of International Test cricket has dropped, but that doesn’t matter. The fact remains the same though, and England will probably win the Team Of The Year award because of the unbeaten year, and surge to becoming the best Test team in the world.
Young Sport Personality Of The Year
It’ll probably be Tom Daley. But Liam Broady deserves a decent shout. Runner up in the Boys’ Singles at Wimbledon this year, after a really decent final. One to look out for. I don’t really know much else about any possible Young SPOTY contenders, hence the small paragraph!
There you go then. My very quick look into the big event, which takes place on Thursday 22nd December. It’s always a fun and interesting night, to review the year that British sport has endured. And from this blog, hopefully it has shed some light on some of the leading contenders (at least in my eyes) in some of the categories. The nominees for the main award are announced tomorrow, Monday 28th November, during The One Show.
Let me know what you think. Thoughts on those that I’ve suggested, or recommendations for those I’ve left out. It’s impossible to include everyone (I didn’t want to write a novel), but it’s been another fantastic year for British sport, and I’m already looking forward to the big night, and James Corden’s inevitable love making scene with David Beckham.
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