Lou Thomas
Cricketer Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff has followed
his BBC Sports Personality of the Year prize by being named Sportsman
of the year by the Sports Journalists Association.
his BBC Sports Personality of the Year prize by being named Sportsman
of the year by the Sports Journalists Association.
SJA spokesman and assistant sports editor of the
Daily Mail Ian Cole said: “Cricket has made huge strides forward in its
national acceptance and it was a quiet summer on the football front.
Daily Mail Ian Cole said: “Cricket has made huge strides forward in its
national acceptance and it was a quiet summer on the football front.
“The Ashes was the biggest thing in sports
journalism this year. It was all over the front page, the centre
spreads as well as the back pages and Flintoff has probably replaced
Beckham as the most identified face in British sport.
journalism this year. It was all over the front page, the centre
spreads as well as the back pages and Flintoff has probably replaced
Beckham as the most identified face in British sport.
“Years such as this transcend the sports nuts
such as ourselves and get in the realms of the wife and mum and mad who
don’t know much about sport. It would be a shame if the current
troubles in Pakistan mean that they take a few steps back from that.”
such as ourselves and get in the realms of the wife and mum and mad who
don’t know much about sport. It would be a shame if the current
troubles in Pakistan mean that they take a few steps back from that.”
Discussing the photographs in national newspapers
of Flintoff red-eyed after the marathon drinking session which
followed the Ashes victory, Cole said he thought sportspeople were
allowed to let their hair down.
of Flintoff red-eyed after the marathon drinking session which
followed the Ashes victory, Cole said he thought sportspeople were
allowed to let their hair down.
He added: “We can be a bit overcritical. He
didn’t get in a fight or insult anyone he just had a few beers and I
think we can allow him that.”
didn’t get in a fight or insult anyone he just had a few beers and I
think we can allow him that.”
In a year in which George Best and Paul Gascoigne
also managed to make the front pages as well as the back, Cole said he
thought attention to Best’s death in the media was “a bit over the top”.
also managed to make the front pages as well as the back, Cole said he
thought attention to Best’s death in the media was “a bit over the top”.
He added: “We knew he was going to die several
days before he did. I’ve never seen so much coverage. People said of
Best ‘why are we idolising this alcoholic?’ but Best and Gascoigne are
loveable rogues and can get away with all sorts of indiscretions.
days before he did. I’ve never seen so much coverage. People said of
Best ‘why are we idolising this alcoholic?’ but Best and Gascoigne are
loveable rogues and can get away with all sorts of indiscretions.
“Gazza’s a sad case really. Fifteen years ago he
was where Wayne Rooney is now. I think there’s a slight worry whether
Rooney can keep focused and keep concentrated.”
was where Wayne Rooney is now. I think there’s a slight worry whether
Rooney can keep focused and keep concentrated.”
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