Kits out for New Season

On the day that my season ticket is a cert, I am getting rather excited.

I would like to make an omen to probably the most consistent striker Reading football club. Dave Kitson when you return to the Mad Stad you will be hailed with the upmost of respect and tranquillity throughout you stay in our home.

A modest and honest man, who’s stubborn nature gave him a good, friendly, approachable star, he was popular with the media as well as he embarked on the ‘football in the community’ scheme. Often in the papers for little, but wholly adequate claims.

He received a lot of bad press with his FA Cup comments but indeed, they were very true and realistic.

A mere £150,000 bargain from Cambridge United settled straight into the line up as he began his Reading career with a creditable 5 goals in ten games. From then on, he was present in the starting lining up and soon passed Nicky Forster’s goal scoring record at the Madejski Stadium.

The self-confessed hater of his ginger hair left for more premiership adventure and too be honest I cannot blame him.

Receiving £5.5 million from Stoke City is not bad business and the departing striker will, hopefully, flourish in his new role. Stoke playing the punt, head; chase game may suit him to the ground. Kits can certainly hold the ball up well.

They are many fond memories and many experiences I would love to share.

First of all, his wonder, well not quite, goal against Middlesbrough is particularly remembered by all Reading fans, as it was our first in the big time. Was not a classic from all means but its importance was relevant throughout. That day was marred by Chris Riggott’s pathetic and improper tackle as he put Kitson out until January of our first season.

His numerous goals against West Ham always went down well as he scored a brace and then a hat trick in consecutive home games. Of course, with Alan Pardew, returning always gave an added incentive but the crowd always went wild.

The two goals against promotion favourite Sunderland back in 2005 was always memorable, including his hat trick pass Gillingham.

His penalty against Stoke in our championship-winning season will be remembered as his new fans taunted him about being ginger and he reacted badly in the press claiming a sense of gingerism is similar to those who receive racist taunts.

The volley that spoiled Michael Owen’s return for Newcastle and his couple of goals in the infamous 6-4 defeat were magnificent.

The run and finish against Manchester City was always decent and would be probably my favourite goal of his. He took the ball swiftly, beating one, dragged inside beating two and tricked the goalkeeper with a little toe poke with his left foot. Amazing.

He is a complete striker, with speed, aerial ability, and clever on the floor to bring the midfield men back in the game.

A player to be sorely missed by all accounts.

Sort it out

Throw your hands up and scream hallelujah!

Was I mistaken, as I believed the England selectors said there selection was correct. What a surprise! All fickle and arrogant, a disturbing image.

I am under the presumption that they watched the game that South Africa call Cricket and England called not much.

Sorry Darren Pattinson, you may be a useful tool in a pub quiz later. There will be no doubt that his name and one cap wonder will be entangled in a question. Congratulations on taking two wickets but, mate; it is back to the drawing board.

The selectors who come together should initially decide on a team that reflects in everyone’s manner. It seems largely that Michael Vaughan was anything but, disgusted in the team selection. It seemed obvious that it was not his call.

The first three days on the first test was England at their sublime best but tinkering, is often a word for football, and should not be involved in cricket, especially the test side. These eleven players have to play along each other, all day and for five days.

Are they professional? Yes. Are they Human? Yes. I completely supported the dropping of Paul Collingwood and bringing Andrew Flintoff to bat at seven. They got that correct. Flintoff is, arguably, our best player and the heartbeat of a rigid England team.

However with Pattinson coming in against a team of the stature of South Africa, the second ranked test team in the world, is preposterous.

Steve Harmison, Matthew Hoggard or Simon Jones should have been elected to take the gap left by the unfortunate injury to Ryan Sidebottom.

This is not a twisted fantasy to see relive those lucky Ashes days in 2005 but Harmison has taken the most wickets in county cricket this season with Hoggard close behind him. Jones has the best wickets for balls ratio. It makes sense does it not?

Tim Ambrose always blows hot and cold, a wicket-keeper batsman should be that. Ambrose has failed to reach any sort of form at the present but if they are generally looking for the sixth batsman I cannot see any other person than Phil Mustard to take his place and play at six, leaving Flintoff at seven. Ambrose cost the side crucial wickets with his failure to take a catch up high, he is constantly moving back as he likes to take a catch that is going down. Many edges have failed to carry to the slips and Vaughan should have noticed this. Adam Gilchrist was good at being close to the wicket at take a catch as soon as possible.

The batting line up simply failed to find form but it does not mean they will not. They are fine batters as shown in the first test; it is the bowling unit that is the concern.

I will start to introduce Simon Jones when he is getting the pace back and he would be competing with Sidebottom and Harmison for the spare slot. James Andersen played brilliantly against New Zealand’s in the last test but that has been the highlight in a long while.

Having played the same side in six consecutive matches shows a glimmer of stability, but in retro style we tried to change that radically. We need a squad of sixteen players and all of them used within the England set up. Those sixteen should be selected constantly until one of them fall completely of reckoning or are simply injured.

My team for the third test: Strauss, Cook, Vaughan, Pietersen, Bell, Mustard, Flintoff, Broad, Sidebottom, Harmison, Panasar.

Rest of the squad: Collingwood, Jones, Hoggard, Ambrose, Trescothick (if he wants to be selected) if not Shah.

So selectors, is it not about time you sorted a team out?

Harry Open

Some critics believed that this would have been a makeshift Open, no one could have been judged as, arguably, the best golfer ever to live Tiger Woods was not going to make an appearance. Knee injury or not, Tiger would have certainly struggled in the horrendous conditions.

But to be fair, who cares?

It was a test, more than a test, it was virtually impossible and I could not believe ex-Open champion Sandy Lyle just gave up so easily. Professional or not, a record 201,000 people watched the Open from the edges of greens and the grandstand.

It was superb to see Padraig Harrington to triumph once again completing back to back on wins. The first time a European has achieved that feat since 1906.

Complaining of a wrist injury on the lead up, it was almost likely that Harrington was going to pull out on Wednesday evening he conjured up some much needed inner strength to pull out an astonishing victory.

On Sunday, it was inevitable that there was only going one winner as everyone teed off. It was dazzling to see the Great White Shark Greg Norman holding the clubhouse lead on Saturday evening. However, it was courageous Harrington to get on top on the last day and the blinding eagle on the seventh gave him a four shot lead going into the last hole.

Even after last year’s chaos finish, he was not going to throw a four shot lead.

It was good to see that four of the top six was from Europe and only one from America as the Ryder Cup beckons.

The 137^th Open will be constantly remembered for the wild, undesirable weather and its pure drama. The player of the tournament was without a doubt Greg Norman as he performed sensationally as he took his foot of the pedal on the last day and finished tied third. The 53 year old mocked the rest of the field as he played this as a warm up to the Senior Open. Having played little golf this year, he played without care and worry and managed to play better than a host of golfers that filled the field did.

Chris Wood certainly gave his future credentials no harm as he performed extraordinary to win the silver medal as an amateur. Playing in such conditions would not have been the ideal circumstances with the weather, but Wood played with such maturity and did not look out of place surrounded by professional golfers. He managed a really high-quality four rounds and received a high amount of gratitude in the way he refused to go professional and gave up on his £180,000 check.

The 20 year old proved that he was not fluke as he grinded out four decent rounds and performed more professionally and more adequately than Phil Mickelson, Lee Westwood, and Sergio Garcia, whom all struggled considerably. Definitely one for the future, following the Justin Rose path would not be frowned upon as he currently sits in the world top ten.

Rose struggled, finishing tied 70^th, as much talk was aimed at him as ten years ago he came joint fourth with a sublime chip as amateur to be earmarked as one of the future.

Ian Poulter finished a decent second with a 69 on the last day, as he wants to prove his worth and possibly get into that Ryder Cup team.

Nevertheless, this was the story of Harrington and how he obtained the Claret Jug once again. Let us hope he keeps his whiskey firmly sealed in it this time.

Tubby Blatter

Eh-oh! Sepp Blatter, go over the hill and far away and join Tinky Winky, Dipsy, La-La and Po as they are probably the only kind, which can tolerate you.

You nonsense ideas and claims have no place in the real world, so stick that television on, on your fat stomach and try to believe everything you say.

While everyone with actual football knowledge disregards any, if not every, comment and idea he makes he persists on creating controversy wherever he goes.

Perhaps sitting in that huge office, eating gallons of Tubby Custard, he gets bored and decides schemes he can make up. Whilst the world sucks up everything, he says, just like Noo-Noo, he still is in the position of high power.

To be fair, the most hostile comments often come out about the British game. We understand he does not like it, but all those millions of people cannot be wrong.

So what does he do to throw a spanner in the works: claims Ronaldo is a modern ‘slave’ being held back by Manchester United as Ronaldo looks for a so called ‘dream’ move to Real Madrid. Ludicrous.

Does Blatter know what a slave is?

Would a cotton picker demand £120,000 per week to pick? The answer is no. it is a prosperous claim. And the united nations should give him a slap on the wrist just for claiming so. His comments are really too much.

So let us hope, for the stake of football and dignity that Blatter goes over that hill, and very far away and do not emerge.

Fred is Read-y

After seeing South Africa play out, in the end, a dire draw against England at Lords, it is obvious that Freddy Flintoff cannot remerge quick enough.

The nation’s favourite will have no immediate impact but his role and input will be significant if England are going to over turn South Africa in the remainder of this series.

The man whose place he should take should be Paul Collingwood as his recent performances with the bat have been pathetic.

I believe the captaincy for the one-dayers should be taken away from him as well as it is evitable that Kevin Pietersen will acquire that role, so why not give it to him now. The recent lack of sportsmanship and behaviour against New Zealand raise fresh doubts about his conduct and ability to enhance his ideas to the team. Especially with the Stanford 20 million-dollar game coming, Collingwood should not be guaranteed the position of captain.

With Flintoff back in the team, it would be good to get back to five bowlers, five batters and a wicket keeper like the 2005 Ashes victory. At the moment not one of those bowlers are in the starting eleven but with Flintoff claiming his spot back it may give Steve Harmison a huge lift and get back bowling to the incredible heights of his 7 for 12 runs against the West Indies. Matthew Hoggard may even give Stuart Broad a run for his money, even though Broad is a much better batter.

The unsung hero Simon Jones is consistently strengthening his claims for a recall as his fight back from numerous of injuries is looking very good. He may be that replacement for James Anderson as he often blows hot and cold. He was great against New Zealand on the last test but often felt missing in other tests. A fringe player at best.

I am really looking forward to Flintoff’s return if the selectors are daring enough. While his significance with the ball is vital, I believe he should be put at number 7 in the batting order as his influence and presence may distract Ian Bell in what is some brilliant form now. His 199 was a formidable innings and he will have to repeat that regularly to keep his place in the top five. Bell being moved down the order was considerably a decent move as he can grind out runs with the tailsmen.

With Tim Ambrose being pushed up to six it will give Bell a better platform to perform on as Flintoff’s smash approach would provide useful runs at the end of the innings as well has more rest time on his dedicate frame.

However, anyways, bring it home Freddy.

Ryder Ready

The 2008 Ryder Cup starts on the 16^th of September and there is a host of, notably, absences from the list.

European Captain Nick Faldo has his work certainly cut out.

Luke Donald, Padraig Harrington, Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell, Paul Casey, Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley, Colin Montgomerie, and David Howell are all in the wilderness, all proclaimed in having very poor seasons.

Ross Fisher unquestionably gave his credentials a wealth of good as his dominating victory in the European Open.

In the current standings, unknowns have significant in the Ryder Cup tradition this year as Soren Hansen, Martin Kaymer and the impressive Justin Rose all in the top ten, more, and likely will take part.

Fortunately, we have the trusted remerging Lee Westwood, fans favourite Sergio Garcia (it is undoubtedly Spain’s year), Robert Karlsson, and Miguel Angel Jimenez.

If I were Nick Faldo, I would tell some players that he wants them in his team. They only have a couple months to score points and get themselves up the world points table.

In my team, I would want:

Lee Westwood

Sergio Garcia

Robert Karlsson

Miguel Angel Jimenez

Justin Rose

Luke Donald

Padraig Harrington

Ross Fisher

Martin Kaymer

Paul Casey

Captain picks, Colin Montgomerie and Darren Clarke for the sheer reason that they are team players. They are both with full of experience and have played at the highest level. You would love to go to war with these two. They need to find a bit of form though.

David Howell has had too many bad breaks this year and has not found any sort of form and do not really deserve or warrant a place in the team.

Ian Poulter, I believe, would be bad for morale as he is out there for himself. He would demand centre stage and would be more controversial. Nick Faldo is known for his high profile clashes with other golfers like America’s captain Paul Azinger. Poulter would inevitably clash with Faldo.

Paul McGinley, like Howell, has not reached the dizzy heights he had once achieved. His performance last time was one full of sportsmanship, as he told his opposition to pick up with a long put remaining to square his singles. That prevented a record defeat for the Americans.

I just hope this Ryder Cup will be played in the same spirit.

As for Team USA, Paul Azinger has to do without the best golfer ever to have lived as Tiger Woods knee will not hold up as he has ruled himself out for the rest of the season. It will be up the rest of the field to make sure his presence is not missed. Woods does not have the best Ryder cup record but, still, you would still want him in your team.

Stewart Cink is top of the USA rankings and without question, be joined by Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Kenny Perry and Anthony Kim.

It is the rest of the field, which looks quite ordinary. The new established four captain picks have been introduced to combat those players who win insignificant tournaments but claim big prizes for them.

Whom will Azinger pick?

Some new emerging players have been encouraging whether they will be ready is another question.

My team would be for USA will be:

Phil Mickelson

Jim Furyk

Stewart Cink

Kenny Perry

Anthony Kim

Justin Leonard

Boo Weekley

Steve Sticker

And four captains picks:

Scott Verplank

Ben Curtis

Zach Johnson

Chris DiMarco (remember him)

I cannot see nothing but misery for USA as Europe will sail this one once again in Kentucky. Without Woods, USA may have to rely more on each other but European collectiveness and Faldo’s will to win will see them though.

The Fourth Jester has Arrived

The big dog had arrived, well the big Phil has. He burst into the field of awaiting journalists sniffing at everything around, marking his territory. Trying to find out all about this country and their myths and limits, he can reach.

He sat in the seat where Jose Mourinho declared himself the ‘special one’ and Avram Grant proclaimed himself as the ‘normal one’. Now Grant was boring.

Scolari was an eager puppy, impatiently wanting to hit every question for six. He looked so excited and willing to field every Basic English statement to come out of a typical four year old, to answer simple English media questions.

He did declare himself the ‘special’ one; even if he was joking, his record of accomplishment has everything. Abramovich wanted this winner after Jose.

For Grant, apparently a champions league final, carling cup final and second place in one of the tightest Premierships for years was regarded as a massive flop and he was swiftly, booted out, harshly to some degree. He was just the night watchman.

Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba would have to stay for Chelsea to be the ultimate force. They cannot afford top loose their best players.

Deco coming in would add more creativity in midfield, but he is someone who could fill that ‘hole’ position behind the striker.

Lampard, Essien and Ballack, on paper, seem a formidable midfield. Then add Joe Cole to that, now Deco, Shaun Wright-Phillips (perhaps not), Malouda (again, perhaps not), Mikel, Makelele, the list can go on it looks rather superior.

In defence, they have John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho, and either side of them Ashley Cole and new Portuguese signing Boswinga. Again sounds great on paper, they also have Wayne Bridge, Ferrera, Alex in reserve.

Drogba, Shevchencko in attack who else do you need.

Possibly another top class striker and that will be it.

Scolari has a ready-made field to smell from, but for me I hope he is a failure, as Mark Hughes deserved that job in the first place. He should have been given the chance.

The best is yet to come.....

It has been on the cards from the beginning. It was Rafael Nadal against Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final.

Both Poker faced, sparingly walking out onto Centre Court without a real challenge in the past two weeks. Both players always had the winning hand without the opposition having nothing in reply on the road to the final.

Pulling straights upon straights until they were matched. None of then were bluffing they both had the best hand.

So what was the outcome?

A full house witnessed the greatest game ever to grace the grass of Wimbledon.

They both produced marvellous hands.

It went five sets; it lasted four hours and forty-eight minutes with the outcome with Nadal winning the last set 9-7.

Nadal threw away two Championship points in the third set for Federer to win on a tie break, an amazing comeback from two sets down to make it go into the decisive set. A true champion performance but it was not to be.

They are too good, the level of tennis has stepped up a notch and it is up to the rest of the field to catch up. The world of tennis has now become an exciting two-way tie. Nadal against Federer. Federer against Nadal. These two will be the top two players in tennis for a generation without question. What an intriguing battle with have let us in for.

The tennis was astonishing, breath taking at times, it made me crave to stick on the whites, grab my racket and have a go, until I realised it was quarter to ten and I am fruitless.

Federer ruled the grass court as a dictatorship; he did not let anything go. A king almost, getting ever closer to Pete Sampras’ record. Five consecutive years of winning at SW19 is not effortless, the extraordinary thing is on his sixth year he looked and performed much a better player.

His serve was ruling, his passes were untouchable, always thinking two moves ahead with his much-developed positional play. He must have thought he had it in the bag.

Up stepped a youngster, a clay-court specialist who defeated him as he made striding improvements with a lethal backhand, the ability, more or less, to play both handed and collective spin on every shot he can do.

Nadal won Queens and the French open after humiliating Federer in a effortless straight set win, with the world champion only endearing four games.

It is advantage Nadal as he tries to scrape back points to accomplish that number one position.

Will I be too early in declaring a Federer versus Nadal final next year? Believe me; I would put all my chips on it.

Given by the Grace of God

With the heavens releasing hell, there was only one man to defy belief.

He challenged the devil, and won convincingly. Not a mere mortal could have done the deed Lewis Hamilton did.

He drove with graces backing, and there must have been angels guiding him as he worryingly conceded he could not see through his visor.

He won, hang on, he thrashed the rest of the field.

At Silverstone, he was the ‘chosen one’. He showed maturity light years ahead of himself, even though the McLaren bosses had to remind him to slow down. He was fast, each reoccurring lap, he gained five or six seconds on the field and he wanted to go faster.

Ayrton Senna would be looking down envious. The rain man himself would have been impressed with the Brit’s courageous, spirited drive at Silverstone. It was 20 years ago, Senna won with that famous yellow helmet, how Hamilton would love, to emulate him. Well he has the helmet.

Past winners Damien Hill, Sterling Moss, James Hunt, James Watson, looked on with anguish as Hamilton made it looked so easy. A God given talent, a master class at such a tender age.

He was the hero, a true loved hero. The Crowd went mad, ecstatic, in full voice. The man they came to see won. He dominated.

It was not the only the fact he won his home Grand Prix but in the manner he won.

Critics have been slating his exploits and his newfound fame. So what?

He has earned the right; the first black driver should meet great men like Nelson Mendela and socialise with Will Smith and Denzel Washington. Although Rapping with P. Diddy may have to go a miss. Who would have thought anyone would have passed judgement?

Well done Lewis for kicking back and winning the British Grand Prix with such stylist and bravery and answer those critics.

He is, foremost, a Formula One driver and a profound role model for anyone out there.

He admitted it was his hardest of his life and the most satisfying. If he waited at the finishing line, he would have to wait one minute and six seconds for second place, Nick Heidfeld, to catch up. Remarkable.

This added to his wins at Australia and Monaco to catch up with Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa at the driver’s championship, where they are all tied on 48 points.

Straight from the off he was his vigilant self as he slotted into second with such ease and class before, undeniably, taking the lead in lap five from team-mate Heikki Kovalinen.

There was no looking back. Only the smallest of challenges from Ferrari’s Raikkonen, before he eventually faded, as Ferrari will and truly cocked up on their tactics.

Massa might have well be at a fairground, on the teacups, with the amount of times he span.

Mark Webber also suffered, as well as Brits Jenson Button and David Coultard.

Notably, Honda’s Rubens Barrichello started 16^th and finished third as he pushed hard and used his experience to guide him safely to a podium finish.

Nevertheless, this was Hamilton’s race and one of a racing God.

Saving Grace

I am fed up with all the teasing and suggestions.

I am fed up with people who just cannot be honest to the fans and to themselves.

I am fed up with speculating (even though it is quite fun).

Just speak up, do not we deserve some respect rather than being given the cold shoulder and left in the wilderness.

Perhaps they think they are better than everyone else is, money definitely does talk.

So those Reading players who may, may not, be going, please give us some indication of your future plans.

Do not tease us with the tabloids stories we want evidence. If you go, go on good terms, do not make the club look bad. Let us be reasonable.

Reading are typical getting, supposedly, excited for the new season to commence. New shirt released on the 11^th of July.

It is the people who are ‘advertising the merchandise’ which came a bit of a culture shock really. Shane Long, Bobby Convey, Marcus Hahnemann, Gunnarsson, and Ciise are all wearing the new stylist polo tops, a mystery kit keeping under wraps.

No sign of Captain Graeme Murty? Questionable if I say so myself.

Shane Long empathises the youth of the club, possibly the new pin up.

Hahnemann is a goalkeeper and the unquestionable fans favourite. A relationship that will last a lifetime. His loyalty has been in question, nor his graceful attitude towards the public.

However, huge absences of Kevin Doyle, Dave Kitson, Leroy Lita, Stephen Hunt, Nicky Shorey, Harper, etc looks bad, well in my eyes, on the club.

The speculation must be true, talks must be on going, and things are going to change.

I do appreciate Steve Coppell coming out in the local player and declaring that he is, already, ‘tired of transfer talk and now he wants to hear his players commit themselves to getting Reading back in the Premier League. ‘

I want the player, who end up leaving, departing on good terms and be cheered when they return. Steve Sidwell got a mix reception but that was not the true hard core Reading fans booing, it was the fickle so-called Premiership supporters, thanks for the waste of my time.

Jamie Cureton always got an amazing roar, as did Adi Williams and Nicky Forster. I want players to leave with dignity and their heads held high.

So please, just let us know. Therefore, we can say goodbye and good luck.

Out but not down

So, it came down the crunch: a day of expectation.

British fans packed Wimbledon, a reported 12 million observed it on the telly but the result was evitable.

Lady Luck was not with Andy Murray, he had, the dreaded, Tim Henman luck.

Rafael Nadal was class, epic, too powerful.

Murray lost in straight sets 6-3, 6-2, and 6-4. There was no amazing comeback; there was no light at the end of the tunnel. He can take experience from this; he can leave with his head held high.

The positives, a first quarter-final of a major tournament, a newly developed powerful serve, and most of all, the undefined support of our nation. The new British tennis pin up. You have earned t Murray.

John McEnroe mention the battle between man and boy and that was truly the case.

Nadal danced around the court with such class, he had the upper hand, he pulled off all the shots, and shots you thought were not possible.

Murray you did well, possibly better than expected. You will have so many more times to win Wimbledon. One day you will and you name will go down in the tennis, especially British, legends manuscript.

I am backing Nadal to beat Roger Federer. Crush him even.

Someone must stop his monopoly on grass, and prevent him winning it for the sixth consecutive time.

2008 will be Nadal’s year, and he is only 22.

Another world victory for the Spanish, let us hope Fernando Alonso do not make it a triple success at Silverstone on Sunday.

He emerges....

It is the fiery against the calm. The spirit against the tactician. The unorthodox against the norm. The relentless against the simple. The hope against the nearly man. The Scot against the Englishman. This was Andy Murray against Tim Henman.

Hypothetically, this scenario seems pitiful but the theme I am discussing is the level of support between the two.

Henman, without any calculations, is the people’s hero. He was the man who could never quite make it. Of those Grandma’s and Granddad’s watching Wimbledon, who thought that Tim would be a fantastic son-in-law, loved the way he presenting himself and played his tennis.

Now steps up the new lad, Andy Murray. Who could, say the less, is a bit controversial. He has been slapped black and blue for, well, making the air black and blue. He did promise to tone it down though, thank you Grandma Murray.

Excellent, family sponsors like Robinsons and Adidas followed Henman religiously and those were his trademarks for commercial success. His face was seen with those in the heart of the family, a typical young good boy from Surrey.

On the other hand, Fred Perry sponsors Murray, which, initially, is classed as being a bit trendy, a bit youthful. A young, new, hip fashion clothing wear. Quite the contrast I think.

Who would appeal to the younger ones? Tennis needs a next generation, and Murray will provide that. His amazing, astounding, first-class, first-rate, comeback against the hapless Richard Gasquet was quite remarkable.

I am not speaking about the gutsy fight back he produced but the crowd’s reaction.

For a first time in a long while, the crowd went bonkers, it was certainly more a football crowd, than a tennis one. (Well perhaps not a Manchester United home following)

As Murray punched the air with delight and ecstasy, every fan was doing the same. As he pounded out his chest whilst on the bare fringes of the photographer’s pit, he resembled a true champion. His pure love the game was rushing out, his vain in his neck was about to explode with pure adrenaline. It was at that moment, perhaps, the tennis public fell in love with Andrew Murray.

Before then, the crowd have never taken to the Scotsman as he was ruled out of last year’s SW19 championship through injury and the one before that he was fast out of the blocks.

Henman was always glowingly liked and respected, well it was easy too.

Murray is harder to like but any sort of patriotism to get the British public roaring will always go down superbly.