Contenders For The 2011 BBC Sports Personality of the Year

There are many sceptics who question the integrity of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year after many unlikely winners have walked away with the award when you look at past winners from down the years. Greg Rusedski for instance won in 1997 after losing in the US Open Men’s Tennis final, Zara Phillips and her mother Princess Anne for that matter, winners in 2006 and 1971 respectively for winning Olympic Gold Medals in the not too well known sport of Eventing – anyone believe that there may have been some bias here?

The reasons behind David Beckham’s win in 2001 remains a mystery, Or was that the year he played the starring role in England’s 2-2 draw against Greece? Michael Owen’s win in 1998 is even more questionable, given it seems for a scoring a wonder goal against Argentina in a World Cup last 16 match that England were to lose on penalties.

Staying with football, there would be very few that would argue against Ryan Giggs achievements but when he won the SPOTY in 2009, it was on the back of a mass social media campaign from Man Utd fans which seemed to focus on his services to football rather than any outstanding feat achieved that year.

It is difficult to argue that there is more than a little cynicism contained in some of the past winners but when an award is given on annual basis, shouldn’t it be received by somebody who has accomplished something of great note?

In many ways, it is great to competitors of less popular Olympic sports be rewarded. In recent years, the Olympic sportsmen and women who have won the award include, Sir Chris Hoy in 2008, Dame Kelly Holmes in 2004 and Sir Steven Redgrave in 2000 being the last three. The trend of Olympians is almost certain to continue in 2012 with the London Olympics taking place next summer but the question is which sportsman or women has achieved anything of note befitting of the award over the past 12 months.

The favourite to win this year is Mark Cavendish, the first ever British "Green Jersey" winner in the Tour De France, a feat he achieved after winning four stages of the world’s most gruelling race. He is also became the World Road Race Champion in 2011 and although he will be seen in the Olympics next year.

His achievements this year have been outstanding and he is the justified leader at this stage and could even be on course to win back-to-back awards if he adds Olympic Golds to his honours at the London Olympics next year and as the latest Sports Personality of the year odds would suggest, at 5/4, Cavendish is firmly the one to beat.

Golfers, Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy are also in contention to win after the two men from Northern Ireland each won Major Golf Tournaments earlier this year. McIlroy won the US Open in June, breaking almost every conceivable record for the tournament in the process whilst Clarke meanwhile came back from almost total obscurity to win the 2011 Open Championship at Royal St George's.

Clarke lost his wife to breast cancer in 2006 and clearly affected his form and his come back, finished off by his first win in a Major tournament made the achievement that bit more special and endeared him to the public in the process.

There is a very strong argument for a third British golfer to be in the running this year and that is the current world number one Luke Donald. The Englishman will become the first man in golf history to top the money lists on both sides of the Atlantic, after an incredibly consistent season, which has seen him win four tournaments and finish in the top ten a further 14 times.

Included in those wins was the WGC World Match-Play at the beginning of the year, which will go a long way to seeing Luke become the first non-American to win the US Tour’s Player of the Year. Donald too has been hit with a major personal bereavement earlier this month, when his Dad, Colin died suddenly, just four days before Luke’s second daughter was born.

However, if the Sports Personality of the Year award is about acknowledging major wins then McIlroy and  Clarke must be fancied ahead of him but should Donald end his wait for a first major in 2012 then you can rest assured that this popular personality will be amongst the front runners in twelve months time.

Written by Rod Crowley

Harry Redknapp: Beckham Deal a "No Goer"

Spurs Manager Harry Redknapp has insisted that David Beckham’s proposed loan deal at White Hart Lane is a “no goer” although he expects the former England captain to train with his side for two months.

Last season when David Beckham went out on loan to Milan, he picked up an Achilles injury. The possible insurance issues has prevented Beckham from playing for Tottenham this time around.

I don't think it's going to happen," Redknapp said.

"I spoke with the chairman and I think there are big problems with insurance issues and everything. He got injured last year at Milan; I think there were issues there with insurance."

However Beckham is likely train with the team, in hope of keeping fit and available for selection for England.

"What's going to happen, David is welcome to come and train here for a month or so, which I think he would like to do and we're pleased to have him come and train".

Redknapp also added; "It will be nice to have him here training with us for a month and I think he'll be great to have around the place and he'll be a good influence on everybody and I look forward to him coming. But I think as far as playing goes it looks like it's a no-goer."

Speaking on the disappointment of not been able to have Beckham available to play, the Spurs boss said; "For sure. It would have been nice. It would have been good to have him here available to play for us. But it couldn't happen, so it's not a problem, you just get on with it."

Spurs Move For Beckham

Spurs are hoping to loan former England Captain David Beckham from Los Angeles when the MLS season closes. Harry Redknapp has declared his interest and has confirmed that he has been in talks with LA Galaxy and Beckham’s representatives.

Should the Midfielder decide to join Spurs, Beckham will line up against former side Milan in the Champions League's last 16 and will help Spurs title chances.

"At the moment we are waiting on the decision of LA Galaxy with regards to a loan move," the spokesman said.

"The loan would be a short one until the start of the MLS season. David would then return and play a full season with the Galaxy.

"Tottenham are one of many clubs who are interested but as yet we have not got into any detailed conversations as we are waiting on LA Galaxy's decision."

The spokesperson continued: "The loan is part of David's desire to keep fit and make himself available for England again."

David Beckham hopes to secure World Cup bid

David Beckham hopes he can help in successfully persuading Fifa delegates to vote in favour of England's 2018 World Cup bid. Fifa's executive committee will meet this Thursday in Zurich and decide which country has won the right to stage the tournament. England face competition from Russia, Spain/Portugal and Belgium/Holland, and the decision is expected to be close

David Beckham will head to Zurich later this week, along with Prince William and Prime Minister David Cameron in a final effort to secure the tournament for England. The former Three Lions captain is remains confident about England's chances of landing the World Cup and is keen to play his part in the process.

Speaking on England’s chances, he said: "Hopefully I will make a difference. There are many people, like Prince William, who have been involved and working hard for the bid and to get it to this final point.

"We are going to Fifa and a lot of delegates because we need to tell those people about why we feel it is the right thing for us to get the World Cup.

"I feel that at the end of the day it is down to what the bid team have done. England have a history and tradition (in football) and it is about the benefits that can be generated by having the World Cup in England.

"Obviously it is something that people have worked hard for and quite a long time for, and now it is up to the next few days.

"We are confident that we have put in the best bid that we can do."

Beckham expects to take part in promotional events and meet people ahead of the decision, but added: "But it is just the importance of us being there and the team being there.

"It is very important now to just stay positive and just hope for the best because really we have put the best bid in that we can do.

"The point that we have always hammered home is that we have always believed we can put on the best World Cup and that we can work as a team.

"We always believe the best about England and football but we are not over-confident.

"We believe we can host the World Cup best but we just need to let everybody know that we are ready for it. It is important for many generations of people, not just in our country but all over the world."

The Best David Beckham Joke Ever

David Beckham and his wife have just flown back in to the UK from America.  Tired and more than a little jet-lagged, the pair collapse in to the chauffeur driven limousine that has been arranged to take them home.

The driver exchanges polite greetings with the couple and asks where they had been.

“New York,” replies David.  “There for a weekend of shopping with the wife.”

“My wife loves New York,” replies the cab driver, who, like most other London cabbies, loves a good chat at his customers.  “Which hotel did you stay at?”

Beckham rolls his eyes.  “Crikey,” he says.  “I forget.”

“Was it the Marriot Marquis?” asks the driver.  “The missus is always on about staying there.”

“Nah.  Don’t think so,” Beckham replies.  “Let me think.  Give me the name of a few London tube stations.”

OK, thinks the cabbie, let’s humor him.  “Alright, Sir.  What about Leicester Square?” he suggests.

Beckham shakes his head.

“Well, then.  Let’s think.  What about Oxford Street?”

Beckham shakes his head.

“Right.  So, what about Piccadilly Circus?”

Beckham shakes his head.

By now, the cabbie is getting a little exasperated and wondering why he started the conversation in the first place. He decides to give it one last go before giving up and taking the couple home without any further attempt at dialogue.

“What about Victoria then?”

Beckham’s eyes light up.  “Thanks, mate!”

He turns and nudges his wife.  “Ere, Victoria, what hotel did we stay at in New York?”

Fabio Capello Makes Big Mistake

England Manager Fabio Capello has made a massive mistake when announcing in a TV interview that England role model David Beckham will never play a competitive game for England ever again. He did this without even thinking of calling Beckham or speaking man to man to explain his views.

Instead he chose to announce it live on TV instead. Football insiders think that Capello is trying to orchestrate himself in to getting the sack, which in return will give the Italian a big pay off if he is given the old heave ho.

Capello said, "I am changing everything and we are going forward."

"David Beckham is a fantastic man and a fantastic player. My relationship with him is really good. I am 100% sure he will play the next friendly game if he is fit."

"But we need young players and we need talented players and the players we used against Hungary are young and they have talent."

"The players are the important thing. They are the ones I work with. If they believe in me we can win. When we win the fans will be with us."

"My relationship with the players is good. I have never had any problems and I am looking forward. We have to evaluate what happened this summer but then quickly forget."

"It is not easy but this is a new adventure and I have to find new players."

David Beckham's spokesman has confirmed that Becks has no desire to retire from international football and will continue to work to regain fitness. When Beckham is fit and raring to go he will be available if needed.

Check out the interview below with Fabio Capello.