Yeah, I think another problem with 16 people is some inevitably get forgotten, I hope that the likes of Willett and Storey aren't discouraged by their vote total (hopefully they don't ever see it)

eta: think making the Kenny's a package like they did possibly lost them votes in retrospect, because they were branded like a duo.

I think he's just someone who isn't that comfortable talking about himself. He definitely admires and supports the other players - he wouldn't be on the outside courts cheering them on through qualifying rounds, or commenting on the women's game, just so he doesn't need to talk about himself in interviews, but it's clear he doesn't like to blow his own trumpet.


There's no point in comparing the achievements of years ago, because there are a great many athletes who didn't make the short-list this year who could have won in years gone by.

He's been unfortunate to have success at a time when British athletes are doing well, and especially when we've finally got ourselves a Wimbledon champion. In some years, the athletics vote was split, and I do think he misjudged his PR in the aftermath of his 2012 success. He did a bit too much, and cheapened his brand a bit. But winning SPOTY isn't everything, and if he enjoys the tv appearances, and the adverts, and is being paid well for them - that's fine. Murray makes so much from prize-money and sponsorship that he can afford to keep himself to himself between competitions.

Alistair was already popular, and to be honest, I think he'd have got a good placing if he'd been nominated in 2012. The story of Mexico clearly helped, especially as some people on my social media time-line were under the impression that he's sacrificed his own chance to win an important title, which isn't true. However, triathlon is very popular now, and people can identify with his achievements more than a track runner.

Skelton got on the podium because of his story, but it is a remarkable story. I won't criticise anyone (except maybe Kim) for voting for him because of it, but let's not kid ourselves he was there simply because of sporting achievement.

Mo will have lost some votes from people who give him the benefit of the doubt regarding his coach, but not enough to spend money on him.


Anyone else think Murray got a few extra votes from people hoping to see a return of Lennox?


Greg Rusedski won, but it was a different time. I think Mo's way more popular and successful than Greg.

I sincerely doubt that this is the case, I think you are reading into it what you want to believe, rather than what actually is the reason (s).

Thing with Mo is he always seems to get close to the top 3 and just miss out, there are probably a range of factors working against him, but I do think he is liked and respected overall.

Has it been going round in circles because you've got a different view from other posters?

Wimbledon is what most people who know anything about Murray watch; they vote with emotions and watching him win Wimbledon is the emotional part of his year (for viewers who don't follow the ATP).

Brownlee was no doubt nominated for the Olympics but it was pushing his brother over the line in the worlds that is the emotion that pulls in the viewers.

Balding pushed the emotional point about Nick so that was a done deal.

On another point on the thread, Mo needs to connect to the public on an emotional level. Despite winning, he's not quite doing that at the moment. Maybe because his interviews are always about how much he has given up.

Andy said on Radio 5 he would have voted for Brownlee

I think it has been going around in circles as there really isn't a solid answer to this, and is only down to what people believe, and how much stock they put in each win, be it a gold medal, or a trophy.

Yes there is emotional pull of all of the people on stage, but they are there, and rightfully so, for their incredible sporting achievements.

There is the issue which others have said. I try to think of reasons from a sporting perspective why he hasn't quite received the acclaim when some consider him the greatest sportsperson ever and it is hard.

This is really splitting hairs and pinickety but in one or two of his major finals, the other, Kenyans particularly, seemed to have ran the race tactically as team mates rather than against him. From a spectacle, they could have sent someone off in front, 200m ahead to mix it up, rather than turn it into a 1,500 metre race.

Chances are though, Mo would've dealt with that too.

Of course it is the case. Look how many people voted Brexit based on immigration. Look how many vote UKIP to "get our country back". I am not saying its right because it so isn't right but if you genuinely think that people don't vote for Mo because he is a Muslim then you are very, VERY naïve. You only have to read DS to see it in some posts.

And what is the actual reason then if my suggestion is so far fetched ?

PS - and don't EVER say its what I want to believe because it is not what I want to believe at all. Racism, Islamophobia etc are not something I think should exist let alone want to be the reason

so whose going to win next year?

It's a successful night in the Murray house. Andy wins, and backs the runner-up, while his wife picks 3rd place!

I bet the dogs wanted Mo to win, but their paws couldn't work the phone.

Even for DS, I don't think that you will find too many objections to that.

But what has how other people have run the races against him got anything to do with it? That's crazy. He can only beat those in any given race and he has shown that he can deal with everything that has been thrown at him. Do we question how Andy Murray has won all of his matches?

It could purely be down to the sheer level of sporting competition, everyone on that list has had a fantastic year in their own right, so why does it have to be down to his skin colour or his religious beliefs?

If he has a fantastic year next year, then I don't see why he wouldn't be nominated, and stand a very good chance of winning, he has just been incredibly unlucky that he has been successful in an incredibly successful period for British sports in general.

It couldn't be that people just prefer other people, it must be the nasty bigots that did it.

Pathetic post. Always looking for the worst in people time and time again. Grow up.

Mo, after winning Gold in London.

Someone had better start the new thread soon!

Surely it won't be Murray again, one can only take so much on seeing Lennox looking really out of place!

Anthony Joshua will be right up there. Murray too and Farah.

Froome will probably have to win two Grand Tours. Not sure what sort of course the 2017 World Championships is though?

The Lions could be the team, maybe Owen Farrell if they win the series.

Jonny Wilkinson will win the lifetime award soon.

Thank you for your constructive feedback. I will file it under ignore

Perhaps people prefer to vote for someone who lives and is based in the UK.

How much actual time does Andy Murray spend in this country?

As apart from Wimbledon he seems to be all over the globe.

Yes it has been an incredible year yet nobody else won two golds in Rio. Last year he came 8th after winning double world gold. The guy cannot do any more in his sport yet he doesn't get the recognition from a section of the UK public. I wish it wasn't true, My God I wish it wasn't true, but I am convinced some people will not vote for him because he is a Muslim. Its sad but true, especially in this current political climate. You may bury your head in the sand but whilst groups like EDL, Britain First and so on exist there will be bigotry.

Wilkinson is a good shout for the lifetime award, overseas should be interesting, as I certainly was not expecting the winner this year to be in the reckoning, nevermind winning it!

I wonder if The English ladies football team could be in the running if they win or do well at European Championship?

He plays around 20 tournaments I think and a short training camp in the USA so I would guess he probably spends 6 months a year living in the UK