2013. The year that had the task of living up to the Olympic year of 2012. As tough acts to follow go, it’s as hard as Moyes after Sir Alex Ferguson, the next Alien film in the 80’s or to be after Peter Kay in the running order of a comedy show.
That’s how good a sporting year 2012 was for Britain but somehow, 2013 has found itself in the history books alongside 2012, in terms of memorable years of sport.
The summer is when 2013 really came alive but the most notable events in the early part of the year was Phil Taylor lifting the Darts PDC World title for an incredible 16th time. With so many wins, he could surely make a case to be the most consistent British sportsman ever?
In football, we waved goodbye to two of the great servants of the game.
Sir Alex Ferguson bowed out of management after 26 historic years at the helm of Manchester United, transforming them into the all-conquering power in English football they are today.
David Beckham brought his illustrious playing career to an end. His red card in the 1998 World Cup turned him into a hate figure but now, it’s fair to say he is universally admired.
A model professional who went out playing at the top, a loving family man, charitable and a gentleman. A credit to himself and his country.
Wigan somehow managed to win the FA Cup and Bayern Munich were all conquering as they made history winning the treble, including the Champions League at Wembley.
The summer of 2013 was a few months, I as a British sports fan, will never forget.
Justin Rose won the US Open, the Lions triumphed down-under, Chris Froome made it two out of two for British Tour De France winners in successive years, The Aussies were thrashed in the Ashes (forget the return tour obviously) and Andy Murray won Wimbledon.
I’m sure I speak for a lot of people when I say Murray winning 3-0 against Djokovic was my favourite moment.
On the 7th day of the 7th month, Andy Murray broke Britain’s 77-year wait for the famous Wimbledon title. It was a truly agonising afternoon, and even though Murray won in straight sets, the final game alone felt like a 5-hour 5 set epic.
I will never know how he kept his cool after losing 3 match points and facing countless break points, which may have completely turned the game, but somehow he remained calm under the most enormous amount of pressure to win.
Ohuruogo and Mo Farah were the stars of the track in the World Athletic Championships in Russia, with Ohuruogo securing the 400m with a late dip and Farah winning an historic double double winning the 5000 and 10000m races.
Ben Ainsile proved he’s lost none of his sailing ability helping USA over turn an 8-1 deficit to win 9-8 against New Zealand. Is that the catalyst for a possible British boat in the America’s Cup?
Gareth Bale’s move to Real Madrid made him the world’s most expensive player and since his move, despite a rocky start due to injuries, he is beginning to settle down and terrorise La Liga defences.
Staying with football, England hauled themselves over the line to qualify for the World Cup with an exhilarating performance at home to Poland, claiming a 2-0 win.
I’m 19 and that was the most excited I’ve ever been watching England. More of the same please Roy in Brazil.
The Premier League, with new managers Martinez at Everton, Moyes at Manchester United, Pellegrini at Manchester City and the return of the special one at Chelsea and of course Wenger and Rodgers at Arsenal and Liverpool respectively, has made for the most interesting title race in years.
Arsenal tops the table going into 2014, but it’s anybody’s guess who will be there at the end of the season.
To end this summary of 2013, Vettel picked up his 4th Formula 1 World Title and Australia won the Rugby League World Cup on English soil.
It was a wonderful year for British sport. Andy Murray, Justin Rose, and Christine Ohuruogo to name a few made you proud to be British. It really does beg the question, will we ever match 2012 and 2013?