I don't really think it matters whether the sport is shown in the channel or not. It comes down to what the majority of the public are into (basically a popularity contest) and Show Jumping most likely isn't one of them. I can honestly say i've not watched any show jumping in my life so wouldn't have a clue who any show jumpers (is that what they're called?) are. You on the other hand love the sport, watch the sport and would know them well and what they have achieved. My point is this award show is a load of crap and the award should go to the sports men/women who have achieved the most in their discipline in the year leading up to the award, regardless of whether its watched by 20 million people or 20 people!
Agreed smokey. That is why I think it is crazy that Scott Brash has not been shortlisted. When someone achieves something that has never been achieved before one would think they deserved to be shortlisted. I'm not really into show jumping that much actually, these days; I prefer horse racing.. I was when my daughter was competing before her accident, and if she gets back into it I will be interested again. But I'm not a keen observer now unless it's someone we know or a horse/pony that Amanda has found for someone. Amanda and my wife are much more into spectating than I am but we focus on breeding and producing these days.
I am pretty sure that Princess Anne (now known as the Princess Royal) did it at the Olympics; and her daughter, Zara Phillips (now Tindall) did too. Both of them won SPOTY. I am sure I can remember those blokes called Broome (SPOTY winner), Smith and Stark; and that Lucinda Prior-Palmer woman. Murray collected SPOTY this year because he and his brother got all the Jock vote for winning the Davis Cup, jokingly for Britain.
Suprised Murray won, based on winning the Davis Cup. I could understand if he won Wimbledon or another slam, but he wouldn't have gotten my vote based on playing well in the Davis Cup. There where a lot of candidates who where the best in the world at their sport, yet Murray who hasn't won any big tournaments in his sport gets the award. Fair enough he got the votes but I think it was somewhat undeserved
I think Murray was the favourite going into to it wasn't he? The whole thing is crap. The bigger the name, the more votes.
Scottish vote again, simple as that. Similarly the northern vote went to get Sinfield a deserved place on the podium.
I didn’t watch said prog as ‘The Sound of Music Live’ was on the other channel. Nor did I vote in the poll as I only ever exercise my prerogative re TV shows when all the proceeds go to that good egg, Sir Simon Cowell. As it’s the season of goodwill to all I’ll say, ‘Well done THAT man’. And to quote Sir Brucie, ‘oooooooooooooooooooooooooooh, didn’t he do well’ as who would have thought that winning so many novice, selling and claiming hurdles would lead to the awarding of so prestigious a prize. One question that I do have though if THAT man won this award what did the real stars of our sport get??? Did Mr Henderson, Mr Nicholls, old boy Gosden and dear, dear Ryan Moore all get ‘the keys to the Kingdom’?!?
In the first game of the Davis Cup, a kid from East Yorkshire blew a two set lead on the Belgium No. 1 after which Murray whipped their No. 2, he and his brother won the doubles and then Murray finished the job. Quite frankly, I hardly think that he qualifies as a “personality” as every comedian in the land makes jokes about him being a dour Scot; although credit where it is due, he did sit in the Mock The Week audience once and let them rib him. The bookies will have done their homework based on previous voting patterns now that the vote is on the night and they cannot use moles to find out which way the public are leaning. This is another of those markets like Xmas Day Snow and the Xmas No. 1 that the bookies do for publicity but only accept small bets. As Rugby League is almost exclusively an M62 corridor sport, Sinfield’s retirement after Leeds Rhinos did the treble was bound to get more of the Northern vote than Jessica Ennis-Hill. With the BBC dropping its coverage of Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton will have to win every single procession next season to stand any chance of winning SPOTY again.
There have been far less justified winners of this ridiculous title than Murray (he did rise to No. 2 in the World): David Broome for one. Coming 3rd in the Olympic Games hardly puts you above a true star like Anita Longsborough or 1960's version of Eddie the Eagle (albeit a highly successful version).Even as a junior schoolboy I couldn't understand that one. I thought Murray was dignified and humble. I was delighted there wasn't a footballer in the 12. I hope next year Jamie Vardy is in because England did something worthwhile. Personally I'd have voted for Jessica Ennis. I hope the cyclist goes on and becomes a really successful champion.
PEDANT MODE ON I would suggest that you go and re-examine the list of nominees. You might find that one of England’s Women was in the list, largely for scoring one goal and the team coming third in Canada: No. 3 not as good as Murray’s No. 2. Unlikely that England will do something worthwhile unless they are planning on running a soup kitchen while they are in France... PEDANT MODE OFF
