THE GREATEST SPORTING YEARS
Greatest Sporting Years of the last 100 years
The world of sport has produced some memorable years this past century which have thrilled and astounded spectators and sports betting enthusiasts alike. We put forward out nominations for the greatest sporting years in the last 100 years and given how eventful they are, even the most hardened sports spread bettor would be wary of backing future years to be just as eventful.
1908
An unbelievable year for sport with Jack Johnson crowned the first ever black world heavyweight champion. Against a cloud of racial hostility, Johnson was finally allowed to challenge for the world title in this year. He was expected to be crushed by Tommy Burns, his white opponent in Sydney, by the sports betting market but he in fact won the bout overwhelmingly. By doing so, he not only changed boxing forever, but arguably sport.
The same year will also be remembered for the extraordinary ending to the Olympic marathon in London. Dorando Pietri collapsed just 300 yards from the winning line and was helped over by the officials. He was eventually disqualified, even though he pleaded that he could have crossed the line unaided. The incident sparked worldwide debate and helped promote marathon running to millions.
WG Grace, the father of cricket, chose 1908 to hang up his pads and the same year also saw Jack Hobbs make his test debut against Australia (he scored 83). Signorinetta also made racing history by winning the Derby – she was the only filly in the race.
1953
Stanley Matthews and his Blackpool side came back from the dead to win the 1953 FA Cup Final in breathtaking fashion. For all their dominance and Matthews’s brilliance, Blackpool still trailed Bolton 3-2 with three minutes left. It was simply fairytale stuff as they eventually went on to win 4-3 in what has become known as ‘the Matthews Final’.
In a vintage year for football, the Hungarians grabbed the headlines by trouncing England 6-3 at Wembley and stunning the world of English football betting. When Billy Wright and the England side arrogantly strode out onto the pitch, they had no idea they were about to be taught a footballing lesson by a World minnow. It was truly the day that the World order of football changed forever…
England’s cricket team had more luck than the football side and reclaimed the Ashes after twenty years. 1953 also saw Gordon Richards finally win the Epsom Derby at his 28th and final attempt. Ben Hogan won three of Golf’s Majors including the Open at Carnoustie and Maureen Connolly won the first ever Women’s tennis Grand Slam.
1958
One of the great years of sport that will always be overshadowed by the Munich Air Disaster that claimed the lives of eight Manchester United players. Of the 39 passengers on the plane, 23 were killed in what was supposed to be a routine flight from Yugoslavia. The Busby Babes, Manchester United’s 1957-8 team, may well have become their best ever. Duncan Edwards, Eddie Colman, Mark Jones and Tommy Taylor were just four of the household names who were killed that night.
Away from that tragic night, Garry Sobers rewrote the record books with his knock of 365 not out for the West Indies against Pakistan. Arnold Palmer won the first of his four
Masters titles and Sugar Ray Robinson won his sixth world crown. Mike Hawthorn just nudged out Stirling Moss to the F1 World title while Brazil won their first World Cup inspired by a relatively unknown 17 year old who went by the name Pele.
1973
All rugby fans will remember this year for Gareth Edwards’s wonder try for the Barbarians against the All Blacks. The try itself is regarded as the greatest try ever scored combined everything from pace, power and panache. It is amazing to think that one moment of brilliance on a dull day at Cardiff Arms Park on 27th January 1973 probably introduced millions of people to the sport.
Red Rum and Crisp also chose this year to serve up one of the most spine-tingling finishes to a Grand National ever and stun the horse race betting fanatics. Crisp had the race sown up and jumped the second last well clear of Red Rum. In fact, even as he began to visibly stop with yards left to go, it appeared that he would in fact hold on. However, jockey Richard Pitman could only look across in exhausted horror to see Red Rum snatch victory on the line. It was the only time that Aintree legend had been in front throughout the race!
Sunderland beat Leeds in a fairytale FA Cup Final and Johnny Miller shot a record 63 to win the US Open at Oakmont from six shots back. It was also the year that Ali lost to Ken Norton and George Foreman beat Frazier in Zaire. Tennis fans will also remember how Billie Jean King beat Bobbie Riggs in the ‘Battle of the Sexes’.
1981
It’s not hard to see why many regard 1981 as the greatest sporting year of the last 100 years. This was the golden year of English cricket with the most memorable Ashes series of all time. A series now known as ‘Botham’s Ashes’ after the most dramatic test match ever at Headingley. England were 1-0 down in the series after two tests and arrived in Yorkshire with their tales firmly between their legs. Botham was no longer captain but was about to become a sporting legend.
Australia batted first and declared on 401/9. England then were forced to follow-on having been dismissed for a shocking 174. The next day things got even worse as the hosts were reduced to 105 for 5 and Botham walked out to bat. As his partners fell away, Botham was left with England 135/7, a position that even the most optimistic English cricket betting enthusiast would dismiss as hopeless.
‘Beefy’ then went on to produce one of the greatest innings of all time to end on 149 not out to give England a lead of 124. Australia batted and after Botham took the first wicket cheaply, Bob Willis skittled the Aussies finishing with 8-43 as England won sensationally by 18 runs.
1981 also saw Seb Coe and Steve Ovett break the world mile record three times between them in a nine day period. The phenomenal Shergar routed the Derby field by a record ten lengths and Bob Champion left the nation in tears when battling cancer to win the Grand National aboard Aldaniti. Liverpool won the European Cup for the third time and Bernard Hinault won his third Tour de France. Spurs fans will never forget Ricky Villa’s wonder goal that won them the FA Cup and the tempestuous John McEnroe took Bjorn Bjorg’s Wimbledon crown.
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