Sports Personality of the year?

[Brown, Jon Brow]

Here are the nominees

Jenson Button – Formula One :p :

Joe Calzaghe – boxing

Darren Clarke – golf

Nicole Cooke – cycling

Ricky Hatton – boxing

Andy Murray – tennis

Monty Panesar – cricket

Zara Phillips – equestrianism

Phil Taylor – darts :beer:

Beth Tweddle – gymnastics

[BTCC2]

Should go to Ricky Hatton

[EuroTroll]

It seems like these are dark times indeed for British sports. :erm: :p :

[quicksilver]

Seems like slim pickings really, my vote would go to Darren Clarke or Ricky Hatton

[oily oaf]

Should go to Ricky Hatton

Not Ricky who is a great champion but Joe Calzaghi who is the most successful British fighter of all time with a record of 42 wins 0 losses with 32 by KO.

I think Darren Clarke will get the nod however. Mainly due to the fact that he lost his wife to cancer earlier in the year before playing a major role in Europe's Ryder Cup triumph.
TBH I wouldn't have a problem with that. He seems like a lovely guy and no mean Guinness guzzler either.

[escortg3]

Pity the WTCC is not on the BBC, then we would have a real world champion on the list. I bet they don`t even mention Andy Priaulx.

[Daniel]

Here are the nominees

Jenson Button – Formula One :p :

Joe Calzaghe – boxing

Darren Clarke – golf

Nicole Cooke – cycling

Ricky Hatton – boxing

Andy Murray – tennis

Monty Panesar – cricket

Zara Phillips – equestrianism

Phil Taylor – darts :beer:

Beth Tweddle – gymnastics
Since when did Jenson Button have personality? :confused:

[Simmi]

A lot of over-hyped but not exactly what you'd call successful sportsmen on that list.

[Powered by Cosworth]

Jenson Button will get it, because he OMGOSH won 1 race.


But it should go to Joe Calzaghe for sure.

[sonic_roadhog]

Beth Tweddle would get my vote.

sonic :)

[LotusElise]

She is the only world champion on that list.

[Oli_M]

Would have liked Priaulx and Hamilton's successes (and personality) to have been better public knowledge they would be great contendors.

Don't acctually know who I will vote for from the list.....

[edv]

Where's Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards? :D

[viper_man]

Joe Calzaghe doesnt get enough recognition, one of the best boxers ever. And Beth Tweddle should definately be in with a shout for her massive achievement.

If anyone else but those two win it then its a farce.

[raikk]

Darcy Tucker.... :D

[millencolin]

Warnie... you know thats the right answer

[Mark]

Since when did Jenson Button have personality? :confused:

The usual quip we always get. It's only called 'personality' because 'sportsman' would be sexist.

[Daniel]

The usual quip we always get. It's only called 'personality' because 'sportsman' would be sexist.
:p

True. But it had to be said about Jenson "daddy's boy" Button :p

[ArrowsFA1]

A once great institution (and worth watching) this award fades as the years go on, and as the BBC loses more sport to other tv channels. It comes from a time when sport on tv = BBC :dozey:

[Ranger]

Andrew Flintoff.

Any captain who has to face the cameras after such a shocking defeat should be given at least SOME recognition. :p

[BeansBeansBeans]

The usual quip we always get. It's only called 'personality' because 'sportsman' would be sexist.

If it were called Sportsman of the Year, it would be incorrect, and I don't mean politically incorrect. It's called Sports Personality of the Year as the competition is open to, and has been won by, both men and women. Nothing to do with sexism.

[Mark]

Exactly right, otherwise it would have to be called 'Sportsman or Sportswoman of the year' or something :mark:

[Brown, Jon Brow]

If it were called Sportsman of the Year, it would be incorrect, and I don't mean politically incorrect. It's called Sports Personality of the Year as the competition is open to, and has been won by, both men and women. Nothing to do with sexism.

I suppose saying Human is sexist now. IT should be 'Human' and 'Huwoman' :rolleyes:

[Ranger]

That'd make my high school sexist.

We'd have to change it from "Manly Selective Campus" to "Womanly Selective Campus"

Can't say it has a great ring to it though.

[AndyRAC]

What the hell is Jensen Button doing on that list, he won a race when everybody else fell off (okay so he was doing fastish laps). Yet A P McCoy who's won the jockey's championship the last 11 years doesn't get on the shortlist and neither did Andy Priaulx, just cos the BBC don't cover WTCC shouldn't stop him being on it, uh uh, Doh!!

[inamo]

Zara Phillips - World and European Champion, on a horse she's trained herself.

[tin-top fan]

neither did Andy Priaulx, just cos the BBC don't cover WTCC shouldn't stop him being on it, uh uh, Doh!!


although I hear that he has been
invited to the awards themselves
(and he also had an interview on
the Chris Evan's show on radio 2 the other week)




yep- i'm trying out all the funny styles that we can now use :)

[Azumanga Davo]

Tasteful... :D

I dunno who this year, but have just watched on telly a superb darts match last night. James Wade I think it is, crushed Chris Mason by far. A name of the future to win the award in years to come... ;)

[EuroTroll]

yep- i'm trying out all the funny styles that we can now use :)

For a brief but ghastly moment, I thought I was looking at an attempt at poetry. :p :

I'd vote for Zara Phillips's horse. ;)

[Azumanga Davo]

Not allowable because of the fact it has 'neigh' personality either... :D

OK, ban me then... ;)

[Dave B]

There was a World Cup this year and there are no footballers on the list - what does that tell you?

Much as I'm a Button fan I agree that Andy Priaulx has a far better reason for being nominated. Jenson won a race, of course, but Andy is a two-time World Champion.

It seems that to many, motorsport beyond F1 doesn't exist :(

[BeansBeansBeans]

There was a World Cup this year and there are no footballers on the list - what does that tell you?

That England didn't do very well in the World Cup? Thanks for pointing that out.

Priaulx will likely be featured when they do the 'Motorsport' overview that they do every year.

[escortg3]

Priaulx will likely be featured when they do the 'Motorsport' overview that they do every year.[/quote]

They didn`t mention him last year. :angryfire

[BeansBeansBeans]

They didn't mention him last year.

Yes, but he has been invited along this year, which leads me to believe that they will mention / interview him at some stage.

[escortg3]

Yes, but he has been invited along this year, which leads me to believe that they will mention / interview him at some stage.



Lets hope so, he deserves it. :D

[Hazell B]

She is the only world champion on that list.

Zara Phillips is the current World Champion, too. I think one of the boxers is a dual WC, but might be wrong.

I wanted a fiver on Zara Phillips to win it this year, but she was already 7/2 favourite a whole 11 months ago :mark: Now somehow I don't see her winning at all. Shame, she's done a brilliant job on Toytown despite having all the Royal garbage following her about.

She'll get my vote :up:

[BeansBeansBeans]

Zara Phillips is the current World Champion, too. I think one of the boxers is a dual WC, but might be wrong.

Phil Taylor (Darts) is a multiple World Champion.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

Phil Taylor (Darts) is a multiple World Champion.

I'd laugh my arse off if he won it!!

Although he probably put's more effort into his game than anyone else on the list. I believe he practices for around 5hours every day!! My arm hurts after throwing darts for 15 minutes.

[stevie_gerrard]

YAY, im back!! :D

As to who to win, come on the winner is obvious, its quite an acheivement to win a GP after 113 of them! :D

Come on Button!! :p :

(My Head says Monty or Darren, Darren probably, his golf was awesome in the ryder cup after missing so much golf over the year :) )

Havent we worked out how to do Polls yet? :p : This would be a good poll

[BeansBeansBeans]

I would vote for Jenson Button, simply because his victory was my 2nd favourite sporting moment of 2006, after Steven Gerrard's equaliser in the FA Cup Final. Stevie didn't make the list, so it has to be Jenson for me.

[A.F.F.]

I don't know any of them :mark:

[stevie_gerrard]

I would vote for Jenson Button, simply because his victory was my 2nd favourite sporting moment of 2006, after Steven Gerrard's equaliser in the FA Cup Final. Stevie didn't make the list, so it has to be Jenson for me.

I cant believe Gerrard didnt make the list, his performance through last season was quite astonishing and he was oneo f the better England players, scoring two goals and having the passion for the games unlike most of the other england players. he deserved to win it. :(

[nik]

Of the nominees Jenson or Phil. Don't care about any of the others, but if I had my way Andy Priaulx deserves it much more any of them.
I bet they don't even mention him in there motorsport round-up that consists of F1 and Moto GP. :rolleyes:

I mean its a sad day for Touring Cars when a gymnast and a equestrianism is nominated. I mean it's hardly mainstream!

[BeansBeansBeans]

I mean its a sad day for Touring Cars when a gymnast and a equestrianism is nominated. I mean it's hardly mainstream!

I wouldn't worry about it. I quite like being interested in a minority sport, which is what sub-F1 motorsport is in the UK. My bandmates rib me mercilessly when they catch me reading Motorsport News.

I feel like part of an exclusive club. An exclusive club for men with flasks and bobble hats, but an exclusive club nonetheless.

[lilmelvschilton]

my vote has to go to jenson button

[Hazell B]

I mean its a sad day for Touring Cars when a gymnast and a equestrianism is nominated. I mean it's hardly mainstream!


Rubbish. Riding is the second biggest competetive leisure activity after fishing in the UK. About twice as many people ride as play football and I'm pretty sure there's more footballers than motor racing drivers! All the cross country events in this area get about 100 entries per class, show jumping at least 30 per class and so on. Three Day Events tend to average over 100,000 spectators at national level (126k paid at the gates at Burghley last year - which is how many more than the Silverstone GP? ;) ). If you want to count horse racing crowds too, they're into the millions. Betting on Zara Phillips reached record levels. Just because TV coverage is poor, don't underestimate how popular the sport is.

Equestrianism is bigger than most people realise.

[CarlMetro]

I'd like to see Joe Calzaghe get a bit more recognition than he's had over the years, he has an incredible record and has been at the very toip level of his game for many years.

Sadly I think it'll go to either Jenson for his 'fantastic'( :rolleyes: ) one race win, or Darren Clarke will get it because of the sympathy vote, something which Darren himslef said he doesn't want to happen.

[Daniel]

I'd like to see Joe Calzaghe get a bit more recognition than he's had over the years, he has an incredible record and has been at the very toip level of his game for many years.

Sadly I think it'll go to either Jenson for his 'fantastic'( :rolleyes: ) one race win, or Darren Clarke will get it because of the sympathy vote, something which Darren himslef said he doesn't want to happen.
Don't knock Jenson Carl! He's joined a not so select list of one race/rally win wonders in international motorsport :p

[escortg3]

neither did Andy Priaulx, just cos the BBC don't cover WTCC shouldn't stop him being on it, uh uh, Doh!!






although I hear that he has been




invited to the awards themselves
(and he also had an interview on


the Chris Evan's show on radio 2 the other week)





yep- i'm trying out all the funny styles that we can now use :)


Andy wont be at the awards. In our paper today it says he decided to snub the event. He says it is political because the WTCC is shown on Eurosport and not the BBC or ITV, and also that the producer must live in a cave. He is staying at home to have a celebration party with family & friends. He says he isn`t too bothered about being snubbed because when he gets up in the morning he knows that he is World Champion.

[Hazell B]

He says he isn`t too bothered about being snubbed because when he gets up in the morning he knows that he is World Champion.

Good on him :up:

TV coverage has much to answer for in some respects. Few people care who's the darts, jockey, sailing or whatever champion unless they've seen it on TV. We've got some great sportsmen and women that nobody has heard of :( That's one reason I'm happy to see a gymnast and equestrian in the list - though I still think it lacks a certain footballer :p :

[viper_man]

Zara got it. Joke

[escortg3]

Its official, there is no other motorsport than F1 & MotoGP.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

What does Priaulx need to do to get a mention on Terrestrial TV. :rolleyes:
I also reckon the Queen would make sure heads at the BBC would have rolled if Zara didn't win.




BTW. who thought the BBC music choice was interesting? Muse' Butterflies and Hurricanes played by an orchestra!

[Simmi]

A grey day indeed for British sport.

[Hazell B]

Attitudes on here stink :down:

It's a PUBLIC VOTE! There isn't any underhand stuff going on, Zara Phillips won it plain and simple. She wasn't shown extra coverage during the show, so don't start claiming she was, either.

I'm shocked she won, even as a fan of hers, but public votes count and that's the end of it. For the record, I didn't even bother voting - so you can't blame me :p :

[dwboogityfan]

This was a pathetic choice for such a prestigious award. The likes of Calzaghe, Hatton, Cooke and Tweddle are all world champions (Cooke in the toughest sport there is), while Clarke overcame huge personal emotions to be undefeated in the Ryder Cup - which is a far bigger event than the equestrian championships. I was equally disappointed to hear that Zara didn't even mention her horse in the speech and that did most of the work!!!
As for the BBC they need to show less bias to the 'BBC' sports. It was pathetic that Andy Priaulx didn't get at least a mention (he should have been nominated ahead of Button IMO) and lets not forget the likes of Matt Neal. It is nice to see that the BBC continues to snub Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso as well when it comes to the International Star.

[BeansBeansBeans]

As for the BBC they need to show less bias to the 'BBC' sports. It was pathetic that Andy Priaulx didn't get at least a mention (he should have been nominated ahead of Button IMO) and lets not forget the likes of Matt Neal.

Nominations are submitted to the BBC by newspapers. There is no BBC bias. Andy Priaulx didn't get any nominations and Matt Neal only got one, so they didn't make the final shortlist.

[BeansBeansBeans]

Attitudes on here stink.

It's a PUBLIC VOTE! There isn't any underhand stuff going on, Zara Phillips won it plain and simple.

Correct :up:

[Daniel]

I think people are just in a huff because that they don't like the sport that the sportsperson who won competes in. I can't say I appreciate any sport which is based around horses because it's just not my thing. That's not to say I dislike them just that it's not my cup of tea. But if Zara Phillips won there must be a lot of people out there who appreciate it and isn't that what matters?

[BeansBeansBeans]

I think people are just in a huff because that they don't like the sport that the sportsperson who won competes in. I can't say I appreciate any sport which is based around horses because it's just not my thing. That's not to say I dislike them just that it's not my cup of tea. But if Zara Phillips won there must be a lot of people out there who appreciate it and isn't that what matters?

Absolutely. People are getting all indignant because their favourite didn't win. My favourite (Steven Gerrard) wasn't even in the final 10, but I'm not going to get upset about it. I'm not into equestrian sports, but Zara Philips won the vote, so good on her.

[Hazell B]

This was a pathetic choice for such a prestigious award. The likes of Calzaghe, Hatton, Cooke and Tweddle are all world champions (Cooke in the toughest sport there is), while Clarke overcame huge personal emotions to be undefeated in the Ryder Cup - which is a far bigger event than the equestrian championships. I was equally disappointed to hear that Zara didn't even mention her horse in the speech and that did most of the work!!!


Zara Phillips is World and Commonwealth Champion at the moment. She lost her good friend and fellow competitor only three days before a major event, yet still gained a medal. The horse is important, but without the rider it would just stand still eating grass. You know very little about the sport and dislike it, fair enough.

Just don't start spouting rubbish, eh? :mark:

I'm no football fan, yet I managed to say Steve Gerrard was missing from the list. Why can't people be more tolerant? There's millions of folk loathe motor racing. Should they all be banned from ever voting in Sport's Personality next time Button's nominated, do you think? :rolleyes:

[Daniel]

Zara Phillips is World and Commonwealth Champion at the moment. She lost her good friend and fellow competitor only three days before a major event, yet still gained a medal. The horse is important, but without the rider it would just stand still eating grass. You know very little about the sport and dislike it, fair enough.

Just don't start spouting rubbish, eh? :mark:

I'm no football fan, yet I managed to say Steve Gerrard was missing from the list. Why can't people be more tolerant? There's millions of folk loathe motor racing. Should they all be banned from ever voting in Sport's Personality next time Button's nominated, do you think? :rolleyes:
:up: Like I said before I don't pretend to like horse sports or anything but I respect that fact that a lot of other people do as I can see why other people could like the sport. At least a popular athlete who has achieved something won the award rather than someone like Button who has tremendously underachieved. I think it would be a tragedy if that were to happen.

Like Hazell says a horse isn't capable of winning an event without a rider on it's back. You could argue that Jenson didn't thank his crankshaft after he won his race. Perhaps Zara isn't the silly type who thinks that mentioning her horse in a speach is going to make it feel better. Perhaps she'll go and spend some time with it tomorrow and give it a few extra carrots or whatever it likes :)

[Bezza]

Nominations are submitted to the BBC by newspapers. There is no BBC bias. Andy Priaulx didn't get any nominations and Matt Neal only got one, so they didn't make the final shortlist.

:laugh: And that was Steve Neal, apparently.

I enjoyed the review and thought it was a major improvement on recent years. All the presenters were good and kept the schedule going and there we very little if any awkward pauses which used to happen all the time! Matt Lucas saying "Shearer's over there - he was better than you" made me crack up, and the tribute to Paul Hunter was very emotional. All in all they got the mix perfectly spot on :up:

As for the nominees and winners, I can't argue. Tweddle is a virtual unknown outside of the last couple of days and to finish third was an achievement in itself. I was disappointed that Calzaghe didn't get in the top three but I can't really complain - Zara Phillips is a worthy winner and a World Champion!

People simply cannot expect Andy Priaulx to be mentioned - the BBC gave a lot of time to F1 - a sport which they don't cover - and showed a bit of MotoGP too. These are the two pinnacles of motorsport - its like expecting them to congratulate the winners of League One in football!

Button did well to get to the final 10 and I have been impressed with him this season, but my motorsport bias didn't cloud my judgment and expectation of who was to win. Equally, no footballer deserved to be in the running after the embarrassment of England in World Cup 2006 and the reliance of foreigners in the Premiership. Gerrard was indeed the best of the bad lot, but one brilliant performance isn't enough to win Sports Personality of the Year. The FA Cup Final was a truly fantastic game which Gerrard was Man Of the Match without question - but in my opinion this is not enough to win the prestigous BBC award.

Overall, very impressed by all the winners and the programme itself.

[oily oaf]

I must admit I'm stunned that Zara won, I expected Darren Clarke to sail through on the back of a tide of public sympathy.
I have to say I always thought that show jumping consisted of some toffee-nosed plonker jumping on a hoses back and pointing it a some fences before digging their spiky boots in it's arse and then clinging on for grim death.
However I read a piece in The Times the other day which chronicled the long hours of training and discipline which the riders undergo in order to reach the top of their sport.
So fair play to the kid. She won it fair and square. End of.

Anecdote corner.
Apparently a few years ago a BBC show jumping journo approached a rather prim lady who was sitting atop her mount in readiness for her round.

REPORTER: He's frothing up a bit isn't he?

LADY: So would you be if you'd been between my legs for the past half hour.

PS I still think Joe shoulda got it though.

[imull]

There were three on the list that deserved it, Phil Taylor, Zara Phillips and Darren Clark. All the others have done good, but these three have consistently done very well...

Zara earned it and did well to get it, but all things said there wasnt the competition of previous years. No mention of Andy PRiaulx though :(

[dwboogityfan]

Originally posted by BeansBeansBeans
People simply cannot expect Andy Priaulx to be mentioned - the BBC gave a lot of time to F1 - a sport which they don't cover - and showed a bit of MotoGP too. These are the two pinnacles of motorsport - its like expecting them to congratulate the winners of League One in football!

Considering that the WTCC is the premier touring car championship in the world and some of the other champions that were mentioned I would expect a sports review of the year to show us Andy's superb achievement. However, the WTCC is not a BBC sport and therefore doesn't get a mention - just like Dan Wheldon last year.
And besides I would expect them to congratulate the winners of League One next year - the mighty Nottingham Forest!

[AndyRAC]

And overseas personality went to Federer again!! Disgraceful!! Just to keep Wimbledon sweet, Alonso deserved it more than him, or Ponting!

[LotusElise]

On the night, it was Federer vs Tiger Woods. I think they gave the award to the right person.

[BeansBeansBeans]

Originally posted by BeansBeansBeans
People simply cannot expect Andy Priaulx to be mentioned - the BBC gave a lot of time to F1 - a sport which they don't cover - and showed a bit of MotoGP too. These are the two pinnacles of motorsport - its like expecting them to congratulate the winners of League One in football!

Please don't attribute other people's posts to me. Thanks.

[oily oaf]

Please don't attribute other people's posts to me. Thanks.

Hold hard!
Not so hasty you impetuous young jackanapes :mad:
You need all the help you can get to muster the requisite green boxes that will see you even beginning to approach my laudable total. :s mokin:

Yours faithfully
Mr Popular
69 Lurvegod Villas
Russell Brand Trading Estate
Fuzzyhairedtwuntshire.

[Bezza]

Beans, relax, I'm sure it was quite a proud moment for you when your name was put alongside the delicate words of my own.

[Hazell B]

I always thought that show jumping consisted of some toffee-nosed plonker ....


REPORTER: He's frothing up a bit isn't he?

LADY: So would you be if you'd been between my legs for the past half hour.



Show jumping is rough Yorkshire blokes who get blathered before the competition. Zara's thing is Eventing, where posh wenches tart up before pooing themselves in fear over solid objects. About a dozen semi and fully pro riders die in the UK each year doing it and they like to look nice for the post mortem :p :

The anecdote was first said by Caroline Bradley in the 70s, then live on TV by Di Lampard (a moose if ever you saw one) about ten years ago. She also said "I like having seventeen hands between my legs" so they stopped letting men near her on live broadcasts. It's her fault we have to suffer Claire Balding and her incredible inflatable ar$e :s

[Hazell B]

I always thought that show jumping consisted of some toffee-nosed plonker ....


REPORTER: He's frothing up a bit isn't he?

LADY: So would you be if you'd been between my legs for the past half hour.



Show jumping is rough Yorkshire blokes who get blathered before the competition. Zara's thing is Eventing, where posh wenches tart up before pooing themselves in fear over solid objects. About a dozen semi and fully pro riders die in the UK each year doing it and they like to look nice for the post mortem :p :

The anecdote was first said by Caroline Bradley in the 70s, then live on TV by Di Lampard (a moose if ever you saw one) about ten years ago. She also said "I like having seventeen hands between my legs" so they stopped letting men near her on live broadcasts. It's her fault we have to suffer Claire Balding and her incredible inflatable ar$e :s

[stevie_gerrard]

Well done to Zara, i know i wanted Jenson to win badly :p : but Zara has done well to win it. Shes had a good year.