Robbie Simpson
Right, so my best sporting moment of the year is Ollie Watkins late winner against the Netherlands in the semi-final of the euros this summer.
I’ve known Ollie since he was 19 years old when I signed for Exeter City FC and he was a young superstar coming through the ranks there. I still lived in Hertfordshire whilst playing for Exeter and when my usual accommodation was full, Ollie and his mum Delsi would insist I stayed at their home with them. Ollie is such a lovely, humble and driven person. His football ability always stood out, but it was his attitude that made it apparent he would make it to the top.
My very biased self felt England needed to use Ollie more in the tournament as we were lacking pace and runs in behind opposition defence. So when Ollie came on against the Netherlands I was desperate for him to prove me right….and boy did he do it! A superb run in behind, with a clinical finish made me surprisingly emotional. A real bottom-to-top story with Ollie being sent on loan to a non-league team in 2015, then 9 years later scoring to send England to the Euro 2024 final. I know how proud Delsi would have been in that moment, as was I.
Rob Steed
2024 has been a disappointing year for the teams I follow, with Cambridge United just about avoiding relegation, Essex Cricket not quite keeping up with Surrey and poor seasons for the Blue Jays, Raptors and Canadians. I had 2 great trips to watch GB Ice Hockey – the world championships in Prague (where we got relegated from the top group) and the Olympic qualifiers in Aalborg (where we failed to qualify), so I can’t really put those as sporting highlights. I also enjoyed watching some of my LAPS colleagues, especially being in the Bobby Moore Suite at Wembley to watch Adam star for Crawley Town as they won promotion.
I was pleased to have made a return to playing cricket after missing all of last season with an injury. My team gained promotion, but I only played a few games for them so take none of the credit for that. I should probably retire from playing soon!
It was also Olympic year, which takes over the TV in my house for a fortnight. I enjoyed watching sports I don’t usually watch. There were amazing moments from Bryony Page, Alex Yee and Tom Pidcock, but my highlight has to be Keely Hodgkinson in the 800m. I especially enjoyed the social media craze in the weeks after her victory of people seeing how long they could run at Keely’s average speed, which usually lasted less than 10 seconds.
Adam Campbell
Unsurprisingly, my sporting highlight of 2024 has to be winning promotion to League One via the play-offs at Wembley Stadium against Crewe Alexandra.
It was such a special day, especially after the losing in the FA Trophy final the previous year to manage to go straight back to Wembley and have a positive experience was fantastic.
The build-up, being the one that kicked the game off, seeing the celebrations of the fans and getting to celebrate with my family afterwards, it really is a special day in my life, not just my football career.
And of course having Rob there to enjoy the day was what really mattered!
Ronnie Wells
“Eight times we’ve said it before, here’s a ninth for ya! Lewis Hamilton wins the British Grand Prix! Hamilton is back!”
Those words from Sky Sports commentator David Croft perfectly captured the emotion of the moment as Lewis Hamilton secured his ninth career victory at Silverstone in the 2024 British Grand Prix. It was not just another win; it marked his first victory in F1 since the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in December 2021, ending a prolonged 33-month winless streak.
This victory was my highlight of 2024. After the heartbreak of the controversial 2021 season finale, which saw Hamilton lose a record-breaking eighth title, I had been waiting for him to get his redemption. That day arrived in Silverstone, where Hamilton not only triumphed at his home track but also proved that, despite the challenges he faced, his passion and determination remained unmatched.
Hamilton’s win at Silverstone is a reminder of why I love sport: those rare, beautiful moments when persistence, hope, and hard work lead to triumph. After everything he’s been through, the emotions of seeing him back on top of the podium is something I will remember for a very long time.
Lauren Smith
My sporting highlight of 2024 had to come from the incredible Paris Olympics, specifically the wonderful Bryony Paige winning the Gold.
It would always be an Olympic moment for me; there was a number to choose from, but Bryony bringing home trampolining Gold took the top spot for me.
With a silver and a bronze from previous games, plus having overcome injuries and the twisties watching her nail her routine and the emotion she showed when she won is what the Olympics is all about!
I’d been lucky enough to travel to France and work for Team GB at a preparation camp before the games; one of the teams there was trampolining. Seeing Bryony live in action was incredible. She was also a really humble, friendly, and warm person to be around, so
I was rooting for her even more when the competition came around. I shared her elation seeing her at the top of the podium and carrying the fly for Team GB at the closing ceremony.
Samruddh Bhat
This is my sporting highlight of the year:
Growing up, I was a sports lover but there were 2 things that took priority over everything else, Cricket and Manchester United. So, when I moved to the UK there were a few things that I had on my bucket list.
I was able to tick the first 2 off in 2022 and 2023 but watching Man United play at Wembley felt like a distant dream considering how tough it is to get hold of a ticket. But, in August of this year, I was able to realise that distant dream of mine. Although the result wasn’t what I was hoping for, it is a day that I will never forget. And if that wasn’t enough, I also got to witness a penalty shootout live!
Terry Moor
When I look back on 2024, there are so many sporting highlights I could pick from, the Olympics, the Paralympics, Cricket Test Series, the inevitability of Manchester City winning the Premiership. As a Leeds supporter, I cannot mention the FA Cup Final!
Of course, at LAPS, I could mention the gallant promotion efforts of Chelmsford City under the leadership of Robbie ‘Pep’ Simpson, they came so near before glorious failure. We also have the Division 2 Play Off Final win for a Crawley Town team that included LAP’s own, Adam Campbell. I suspect others may mention at least one of these highlights.
For me, the armchair fan, swearing manically at the TV, the highlight was watching my beloved Leeds United destroy Norwich City in the Championship Play Off Second Leg, 4-0 at the fortress that is Elland Road after a turgid 0-0 affair in the first leg.
The joy of being 3-0 up at half time, a rare experience for a Leeds fan. The opportunity to relax and reflect during the second half and the cherry on the top of the cake when Summerville added a fourth goal. Listening to the Kop’s rendition of ‘I predict a riot,’ whilst joining in in my living room with four Golden Retrievers wondering what is he doing?
Now I had 9 wonderful days dreaming of the Play Off Final at Wembley. I managed to get tickets, what a great way to finish the season AND then…Let’s not go there!