Britain's Greatest Ever Sportsperson

[TheFamilyCat]

This has cropped up on both the Mark Cavendish and Andy Murray threads.

Probably deserves a thread of its own (and keeps it off threads recognising that pair's achievements.

Murray and Cag both mentioned.

Multiple Olympic gold medalists, Ainslie, Hoy, Kenny(s), Wiggins to name but a few.

Ronnie or Phil Taylor (do they play sports or pub games is a separate argument!).

Faldo, Hamilton, Froome. Our very own Jimmy.

Loads more that I've forgotten to mention.

Or do we all just agree that it's Glen Little and have done with it?

[Tribesmen]

Roger Banister

[South West Claret.]

Stanley Mathews.

[claret2018]

Ryan Giggs

[BurnleyFC]

I loved Daley Thompson when I was growing up.

[Anonymous Claret]

I think Daley Thompson is a very good shout as a double gold medal winning Olympian. To be very good over 10 disciplines is outstanding.

I think it also fair to mention that almost anybody could become an athlete if they were talented enough and willing to put in the hours of training to succeed.

Hamilton and Ainslie have absolutely no right to be included in this category. Although they were very skillful at what they did the opportunity for an average person to become a F 1 driver or a yachtsman are many thousands to one. Hamilton and Ainslie could have chosen to be an athlete when growing up. I very much doubt Thompson could have been an Olympic Sailor or F1 Driver. Those 2 sports are mainly reserved for the privileged class.

[JohnMac]

Hamilton and Ainslie have absolutely no right to be included in this category. Those 2 sports are mainly reserved for the privileged class.

Nah mate, Hamilton had a tough upbringing and broke away from his gang on the estates so he could better himself. Well, that's how he likes to portray himself anyway

[Vincent'sCap]

Chris Hoy/Steve Redgrave

[CoolClaret]

... was born in Burnley and his name is James 'Jimmy' Anderson.

[Rowls]

C B Fry

[Joe14]

Glen Little for me

[aclaretinstevenage]

Chris Hoy/Steve Redgrave

Add Jason and Laura Kenny and you have it I reckon.

[CaptainKirk]

I think Daley Thompson is a very good shout as a double gold medal winning Olympian. To be very good over 10 disciplines is outstanding.

I think it also fair to mention that almost anybody could become an athlete if they were talented enough and willing to put in the hours of training to succeed.

Hamilton and Ainslie have absolutely no right to be included in this category. Although they were very skillful at what they did the opportunity for an average person to become a F 1 driver or a yachtsman are many thousands to one. Hamilton and Ainslie could have chosen to be an athlete when growing up. I very much doubt Thompson could have been an Olympic Sailor or F1 Driver. Those 2 sports are mainly reserved for the privileged class.

Don't know whether this is a wind up or not???

[Burnley1989]

Roger Banister

Its not quite the same feat anymore although for the non existent sports science at the time it was unbelievable.

A lad from Burnley I know has run a sub 4 minute - https://worldathletics.org/athletes/gre ... n-14714944

[claretonthecoast1882]

Either Jimmy Anderson (cricketer not the dodgy plumber) or John Francis

[Devils_Advocate]

Jon Walters, but for his bad luck with injury's I think he would be unanimously regarded as the worlds greatest sportsperson never mind Britain

[bfcjg]

Steve Redgave, Chris Hoy, Torville and Dean perhaps?
For sheer effort and spirit Eddie the Eagle.

[Anonymous Claret]

Don't know whether this is a wind up or not???

The way I understand it is that to be Britain's greatest ever sportsman, the vast majority of the population should have the opportunity to compete and become the best in that sport.

The vast majority of the population does not have the opportunity to become a F1 driver or an Olympic Yachtsman.

[Coeus]

Eddie the eagle.

[NottsClaret]

Not going to Google people from before my era, so I'd probably think about Jimmy Anderson. Ronne O'Sullivan is probably the most ludicrously talented, but is it a game or sport? (isn't the general rule that if you need to change your shoes, it's a sport).

Jessica Ennis was the best in the world for a good while, doing loads of events.

[dandeclaret]

Tony McCoy

[Pearcey]

Phil Taylor all day long!

[Cardclaret]

CB Fry played for England at cricket and football and held the world long jump record. Some going.

[Lambo]

A lot of folk naming people from sports they themselves participate in so I’ll go along with the same mantra and name Joss Naylor and Jasmin Paris….of the more famous/popular sportsmen/sports I’d say Jimmy Anderson, Mark Cavendish, Jason Kenny/Chris Hoy, Seb Coe/Steve Ovett, Steve Redgrave….i’m sure there’s plenty more worthy nominees as it’s all subjective

[Aclaret]

Scott Parker must be in with a shout.

[Tricky Trevor]

Fred Perry. Wimbledon Champ and world Table Tennis champ.

Lambos’ Seb Coe shout is a good one. Double Olympic 1500m champ denied his chance of the triple at Seoul by selectors. The Olympics then gave defending champs automatic entry to the next games.

[TheFamilyCat]

Fred Perry. Wimbledon Champ and world Table Tennis champ.

Makes a nice polo too.

[RHansburyEsq]

Joss Naylor

[holdyourfire]

Ian botham

[bobinho]

Dame Sarah storey.

Good shouts for Murray, Hoy, Redgrave, Cav and of course Jimmy.

[jos]

John Surtees

[BigJay]

In no particular, my top 3 Andy Murray, Lewis Hamilton, Lennox Lewis

[pushpinpussy]

George Best, might as well close thread now. Absolute brilliance.

[AGENT_CLARET]

Max Woosnam all day

[dsr]

If this isn't restricted to the age of colour TV, W.G. Grace was "The Great Cricketer".

[timshorts]

CB Fry played for England at cricket and football and held the world long jump record. Some going.

Yep.

Of those around in my lifetime I'd pick Barry john. The rugby equivalent of George best but without being an alcoholic knob. And he didn't play for man United.

[getbennyon]

The list would be dominated by footballers.

[boatshed bill]

Roger Bannister

[yTib]

either w.g. grace or ronnie o'sullivan.

and george best wasn't from britain.

[maccclaret]

Geoff Capes

[jdrobbo]

Cavendish, Hoy, Kenny, Trott, Taylor, Ronnie.

[Anonymous Claret]

Cyclists are also a good shout although there will always be the suspicion that at least 1 of our medal winners were actually using banned substances.

I suppose we will never know unless Richard Freeman decides to expose the guilty rider. It wouldn't surprise me if quite a few of them were at it.

But as it stands at the moment they are all heroes

[burnley007]

Wiggins for me.

Proper maverick

[Claret Toni]

Francis Drake.

Decent Bowls player, gave the Spanish a lesson in gunnery and sailed round the world.

[IanMcL]

Stirling Moss

Because when I was young anyone who was quick at anything was asked, "Who do you think you are - Stirling Moss?"

Can't think of that being said about many - Stanley Mathew's perhaps, who played until he was 50 years old.

[Tricky Trevor]

There are a lot of names cropping up that never won anything. Surely to be Britains GOAT you have to have been a world or Olympic Champion, with a sustained career?

[RammyClaret61]

The way I understand it is that to be Britain's greatest ever sportsman, the vast majority of the population should have the opportunity to compete and become the best in that sport.

The vast majority of the population does not have the opportunity to become a F1 driver or an Olympic Yachtsman.

And every single person does have that opportunity. They just have to go for it and take it, work hard at it, push yourself. It’s not a class thing.
But of course there are naturally talented people at their sports, and they excel.
Just has there are many many more who are handed the opportunity, and pushed by rich parents into something they are absolutely useless at.

[It Is What It Is]

Sir Stephen Redgrave.
FIVE GOLD MEDALS IN FIVE CONSECUTIVE OLYMPICS!
Absolutely incredible achievement!!

[Burnley1989]

And every single person does have that opportunity. They just have to go for it and take it, work hard at it, push yourself. It’s not a class thing.

Couldn't be more wrong mate

Theres a reason children from poor backgrounds fall into football and boxing and not F1 and sailing

[Vincent'sCap]

Add Jason and Laura Kenny and you have it I reckon.

Your probably right.