Amid the storms, our very own feel-good story

Wee-ride: Ric Wee made the most of the card he was dealt, with a little help from his friends

Last week the unthinkable happened. Not one but two Premier League matches were postponed. With state-of-the art pitches, under soil heating, floodlights etc, etc, it is vary rare to see games in the top flight called off. Indeed, Goodison’s last game to fall to the elements was against Leeds over 13 years ago.

So when Ric Wee travelled 7,000 miles from Malaysia to see his beloved Blues play, the last thing he’d have feared was the Palace game being postponed owing to falling debris outside the ground caused by high winds.

Thanks to the quick thinking of Helen Mayo and various others behind the scenes at the club, Wee’s trip was not a wasted one, and he was afforded free reign of Goodison’s corridors and enjoyed a laugh and a joke with Leighton Baines and Roberto Martinez.

Wee’s story made national news, as the footballing community warmed to his predicament. Such bad luck, such misfortune. Coral have offered him free tickets the next time he’s over and his Twitter followers have risen to over 8,500.

While Wee became a mini celebrity overnight thanks to the power of social media, he was inadvertently putting overseas blues fans - and overseas football fans in general - on the map.

The domestic fans are the bread and butter. We travel week in, week out; spending our hard-earned money to watch our idols. But there are millions of fans across the globe who, despite the gulf in distance, are as fanatical and as passionate as us.

While in South East Asia last year I had the pleasure of meeting up with the Singapore Everton Supporters Club. Despite enduring a torrid game which saw us dumped out of the FA Cup to Wigan, the occasion was slightly soothed by sharing anecdotes into the early hours with a group of die-hard Evertonians I never knew existed 90 minutes earlier.

Their knowledge, enthusiasm, passion and love for the club would not have looked out of place in the pubs around Goodison.

But how does someone so far away from the UK end up dedicating so much time, money and emotional energy towards a club they have never seen in the flesh?

In the wake of our Malaysian friend’s experience last Wednesday, I made contact again with Jiing Yih Ong, a member of the fan club, and asked him why he follows the Blues.

“It was during one of my lowest ebbs in 2004, when I saw Everton struggling,” he told me.

“(This was) no way for a club with such heritage, grandeur and great fans – it immediately presented to me a team whose stature befits an always big club.

“A club who I could identify with, the decision to follow and support was simply a no-brainer.”

And so began a ten-year love affair that, in truth, is a mere drop in the ocean of millions of fans across the globe who dedicate themselves to following a club. We brave the elements, the delayed trains; they fight against their body clocks and dodgy internet streamings.

Across all sports, to have that release at the end of a trying and testing week is sacrosanct. With a win, the euphoria makes it all worthwhile. You wake up the following morning with a spring in your step and pore over the morning match reports. When you draw – currently too frequently in Everton's case – you shrug and get on with things. A loss? Well, you forget the papers exist.

But for thousands of overseas fans around the world, they don’t get the chance to walk away from the ground win, lose or draw – and yet still feel all of the above.

Jiing Yih for one is yet to enjoy the stadium experience.

“No excuses, but there are seemingly legitimate reasons why I'm yet to get to Goodison: namely family and finances,” he reasons.

“However the firm belief is that the first trip of many would signal a positive turning point in my humble life as a Blue.”

Jiing Yih’s predicament is understandable. Unless you’re earning the mega bucks of Singapore’s thriving financial centre in Marina Bay, it would be a massive ask to afford a return trip to watch your club.

But the reality is that, just as our pitches have been invaded by foreigners since the mid 90s, so too have Premier League clubs’ fanbases. Those with shorter flights do regularly make the pilgrimage (cue Scandinavian red-noses jokes).

I’m not privy to Wee’s financial situation. But I’m assuming the return flights for himself and his family, plus tickets in the Joe Mercer Suite, would have set him back a fair bit.

Finances aside, it is the human element of the story which has truly resonated, and struck a chord both domestically and back in Wee’s South East Asia.

Jiing Yih added: “It’s a shining and magnificent example of how the fans can be and are taken care of even in exceptional circumstances.

“The Club is humble yet full of camaraderie, kindred spirit, kindness and feels homely.”

All traits that brought Everton to the attention of Jiing Yih and helps sum up why the institution is known as the People's club. A club for the people.

Titanic tussle in store at OT

Sir Alex versus Arsene Wenger. Schmeichel versus Wright. Vieira v Keane. Van Nistlerooy v Keown. Manchester United v Arsenal returns to our screens on Sunday as two of the Premier League’s mainstays go head to head in the latest chapter of this compelling duel.

Not so long ago, this fixture was the stand-out game in the Premier League calendar as the footballing community paused for 90 minutes to watch these two juggernauts go at it hammer and tongs.

This contest was formerly given great attention as Sky counted down the days to kick-off. This time there’s no ‘Grand-Slam Sunday’. No ‘Face-off’. No booming sinister voiceover as the two captains ride into a ghost town, chewing on grass stalk with the only sound the rustling of bales, agitated saloon doors and the clicking of boot spurs as they dismount for a standoff. Sunday’s encounter shares the billing with two other contests in a rather modest ‘Super Sunday Hat-trick’. After a lull of around eight years, there is much to suggest the titanic battles of the mid to late nineties and early naughties are about to return.

Arsenal are currently benefitting from a three-pronged attacking midfield three of Mesut Özil, Santi Cazorla and the reborn Aaron Ramsey. The trio are finding pockets in between the opposition’s backline and midfield, yielding great success. Ramsey alone has already scored 11 times in all competitions. Compare his tally to his two strikes from last season, and you can understand why various pundits expect him to reach 20 goals - and why he’s an early frontrunner for Player of The Year.

Wayne Rooney has dismissed talk of United’s title defence going up in smoke should they lose on Sunday. However, ten games in and there’s much to suggest the league is beginning to take shape. This game carries with it huge significance; especially where Arsenal are concerned.

November has recently proved to be a graveyard in picking up points. Good starts have been derailed:

                 P   W   D    L   WIN %   WIN % SEASON

2006/07    8   3    2     3    38%             47%

2007/08    5   2    2     1    40%             60%

2008/09    8   4    1     3    50%             54%

2009/10    5   3    0     2    60%             60%

2010/11    8   4    0     4    50%             52%

2011/12    6   3    2     1    50%             57%

2012/13    7   2    4     1    29%             53%

Indeed, Wenger was correct to flag Rooney up on his assertion that Arsenal have traditionally faded away. Wenger’s charges have relied heavily on strong finishes to recover winters of discontent.

As Arsenal recovered from the opening-day defeat to Aston Villa, Wenger could’ve be forgiven for having one eye on the month that has proven so often to be his team’s Achilles heel. A much-improved Liverpool were to travel to the Emirates, while the Champions League group stages sandwiched a visit to Borussia Dortmund in between this weekend’s trip to Old Trafford. Wenger will also have envisioned quicker than most the work being done by Mauricio Pochettino at Southampton, Arsenal’s visitors to the Emirates after the international break.

Brendan Rodgers’ side were beaten 2-0, while a 1-0 success at the Westfalenstadion in midweek avenged the home defeat to Dortmund last month. Arsenal have negotiated the above challenges so far, and travel to Old Trafford five points clear at the top of the league. They are arguably favourites ahead of the game, a far cry from the embarrassing 8-2 defeat they suffered at Old Trafford a little over two years ago.

Arsenal have also learned to cope with the absence of influential holding midfielder Mathieu Flamini in their last two games. When the Frenchman was forced out of the first Dortmund game owing to concussion, Arsenal missed his presence and fell to their first defeat in 12. Flamini’s latest groin injury hasn’t been felt as hard, with the team picking up wins over Liverpool and Dortmund; Mikel Arteta providing the shield to their back four. Should Flamini miss out, Arsenal’s fans won’t be as concerned as they may have been four weeks ago. Notwithstanding this, Flamini has been an unsung hero for Wenger this season and, if selected, will need to be at his best to keep an increasingly influential Rooney quiet.

As for United, David Moyes will be encouraged with the shoots of recovery after a jittery start to his tenure. Despite rumours Rooney wanted out in the summer, he has, along with Adnan Januzaj, been their turn-to guy. Since United lost at home to West Brom in September, they are on an eight-game unbeaten run. A Januzaj-inspired 2-1 success at Sunderland acted as a catalyst for this sequence, and Wenger will be weary of the threat posed by the Belgian teenager.

The two sides’ contrasting styles will make for intriguing viewing. Arsenal’s midfield protagonists will hope to keep things congested through the middle, while United will look to profit on the counter in wide areas. It will be interesting to see who Moyes opts for on the right wing. Nani has enjoyed previous meetings against Arsenal, while Antonio Valencia scored in his last outing against Fulham, and will hope to retain his starting berth.

History dictates Arsenal success over United leads to greater success for the North London club over the course of the season. In their three Premier League triumphs, Arsenal stand unbeaten in six league encounters including four wins. Their two successes at Old Trafford provide iconic mementos to Arsenal fans, as images of Marc Overmars and Sylvain Wiltord wheeling away in celebration secured the league title on both occasions.

Although success at the weekend won’t seal their 14th league title, nor end their nine-year wait for a trophy, it will give Arsenal great self-confidence as the nights draw in and the season really cranks up. Rooney’s assertion that defeat won’t be a season-ender may be true, but it will severely dent Moyes’ mojo as he looks to justify his tag as the Chosen One.

Expect fireworks, if not flying pizza.

nicogrounds@aol.com

Football cult heroes: Andrei Kanchelskis

Procrastination is a dangerous game. Several wars were probably born out of leaders’ inability to remain happy with their lot; their hedonistic pursuits inadequately placed in a world full of riches.

I’m easier pleased, and four days off work moved me to set my brother and I the task of writing a short self-indulgent piece on one player who has lit up our 20 or so years of supporting the club we love.

Evertonians haven’t been blessed with trophies in recent times. Indeed it is 18 years since we last won a piece of silverware. In that time, the club has flirted with relegation, meandered in mid-table mediocrity, and punched heavily against the proverbial ceiling separating ourselves from dining at the Premier League’s top table.

We have, as with most clubs, acquired heroes along the way. Despite Everton’s inability to create a credible indentation on the Premier League’s 21 title races, we remain one of seven clubs to have featured every year since its inception and therefore Ben and I have a relatively decent pool of players to choose from.

To the steel so evident in the ‘dogs of war’ side that lifted the FA Cup in 1995, to the midget gems of David Moyes’ 11-year tenure, there is no shortage of players who could feature in this piece.

Duncan Ferguson will forever be immortalised as Everton’s talisman in the grey days of the nineties, when relegation battles became as common place as a Steven Gerrard raking pass. But there was one player whose arrival was so timely and unexpected. His stay on Merseyside akin to a steamy love affair so sweet it lent itself to the short-lived fling it was. Andrei Kanchelskis, Evertonians’ very own summer romance.

His arrival was anything but expected, or straightforward. A dynamic winger integral to Manchester United’s cause, he hit 14 league goals in 1994/95 as United narrowly missed out on the league and lost in the FA Cup final, ironically to Everton.

Rather than ready himself for a season in which United would eventually wrestle back the title, Kanchelskis found himself on the wrong side of Sir Alex Ferguson, and ousted from the club.

Various schools of thought exist as to how he came about swapping Manchester red for Merseyside blue. Sir Alex claimed in his autobiography Kanchelskis was unhappy about being left out of the side during times of injury. Ferguson claims the decision to sell the then 26-year-old was made before he was verbally threatened by the player’s agent to sell his client, while Ferguson also revealed he turned down a £40,000 bung delivered in an ornate Russian tea urn to his office.

Once several weeks of transfer wrangling between Everton and United had been sorted out, with the latter eventually agreeing to take the £1.5m tab payable to the winger’s former club Shakhtar Donetsk, Kanchelskis arrived as Everton’s club -record signing at £5m.

As a young Evertonian in London, I had to contend with Gooners who had no shortage of icons to choose from. But I had two – Ferguson and Kanchelskis, and that was enough for me. Their impact on my burgeoning relationship with the beautiful game telling, as I turned up to Arsenal soccer schools with Ferguson 9 etched on my back, and our blue and black stripy home socks pulled right up to my knees a la Kanchelskis (thus probably accounting for the rather unfortunate shaping of my feet today).

In just 18 months at the club he managed to tick all the boxes a cult hero should. He scored twice in his first derby against Liverpool. At Anfield. In the Kop. Everton running out 2-1 winners; their first league win at the rivals’ home in 10 seasons.

His first season yielded 16 league goals from midfield, including a hat-trick in a 5-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday.

Kanchelskis' impact on Everton’s fortunes was remarkable. The sixth-place finish he inspired in his first and only full season with the club was Everton’s first top half finish in five years and our best points tally since 1988 when we were challenging for the title. Indeed, his impact was more evident in the three years following his sale, when the club struggled to surpass the 40 points traditionally needed to remain in the division.

It was by no means a love affair to the death; his sale to Fiorentina during the second half of 1996/97 a result of a dip in form from the player and fortunes for the club. Kanchelskis’ final game in a blue shirt was a disappointing cup exit at the hands of Bradford City at Goodison. His last act of note a misplaced pass finding Chris Waddle before a beautiful chip sailed over the stranded Neville Southall and into the net. Everton 2-1 down, and out.

Manager Joe Royle explained Kanchelskis wasn't right in the head and his behaviour was having a detrimental effect on the team. Rumours also suggest the Russian Mafia who intruded on the player’s life were seeking money from a potential sale. The uncomfortable air of inevitability saw Chairman Peter Johnson sanction his £8m release to Florence.

Royle has since lamented letting Kanchelskis go without a fight:

“He had a succession of niggling injuries and knew the Italians wanted him. I could see it was getting to the other players. In the end I felt it was really getting on top of him. In hindsight, if I was in the same position again I’d probably just send him on holiday for a few weeks.”

At the time a ten year old Evertonian was not privy to the finer nuances surrounding Kanchelskis’ final months in blue. He was left inconsolable and baffled by the sale of an icon. A cult figure whose dalliance with Everton will always be much more than a summer romance.

The Moyes Question

Onwards and upwards: Moyes wants progression, but will it be at Everton?

David Moyes’ contract situation is a subject that has been bubbling under the surface in recent weeks. It cannot be culpable for performance levels dipping, neither can it be discounted.

 

Everton’s league record in the 2012 part of this season reads: Played 20. Won 8. Drawn 9. Lost 3. Goals for 33. Goals against 25. Points 33. Points per game 1.65. Win percentage: 40%.

 

For 2013, read: Played 6. Won 2. Drawn 3. Lost 1. Goals for 7. Goals against 7. Points 9. Points per game 1.5. Win percentage: 33%.

 

Sure, the fitness levels of Kevin Mirallas and Seamus Coleman may have had a bearing on performances, as the free-flowing attacking football has unquestionably been hit by their absences.

 

And, although it is difficult to start drawing up comparisons six games into 2013, since Moyes let it be known in December he harbours hopes of one day managing in Germany, Everton's win percentage has fallen and performances levels have dropped despite retaining the bulk of the first-team squad.

Kenwright and Moyes will hold off on contract discussions until the summer

While many Evertonians want Moyes to stay, every appointment has an expiry date. Bill Kenwright and Moyes have spoken of five-year cycles in the past, and it is unlikely Moyes would be willing to buy into another five years should the uncertainty over investment linger. Nor would he be expected to work indefinitely under such financial restrictions.

 

Flavour of the month can move pretty quickly in football, and it is testament to the stability and longevity of Moyes’ tenure he is rightly celebrated in footballing circles. At Everton, the majority of fans trust his management implicitly, but three or four negative results in succession, and Moyes’ moaners will become more vocal.

 

With Everton's limited budget and strong core of players limited to 12 or 13 bodies, that is not beyond a possibility. Approaching 11 years in charge, whether privately or publically, Moyes appears to be casting his net elsewhere. This is to be expected.

 

The fast turnover of management in the Championship this season is an example of how quickly things change in football. And despite the changes at Blackpool, Nott’m Forest and Blackburn extreme examples, they are endemic of how football can be cruel to managers.

 

Managers are judged purely on results. When they are struggling for points, they are removed. Therefore while they are held in high esteem, it is equally right they take opportunities when they arise.

 

Although pure speculation at this stage, Moyes courting a new challenge in the Bundesliga is understandable while he is revered relatively highly in football.

 

In many ways, this season is a watershed moment in Moyes’ Everton reign. And it appears he sees it this way as well.

 

Before the Oldham game, Moyes revealed all talk of extending his current contract will be left until the summer when it expires.

 

It is highly unlikely Moyes will renew his contract should Everton finish outside the European places and trophy-less. He may argue he has taken the club as far as he can, and that another manager deserves the chance to propel Everton to the next level.

 

Alternatively, should Moyes win the FA Cup, he may also chose to walk away, leaving on a high and with something tangible for his time at the club.

 

It therefore appears Everton's league standing will dictate whether Moyes renews his contract. Should they qualify for the knock-out stages of the Champions League, you can take it as read his time at the club will be extended.

 

A fifth or sixth-place finish resulting in the Europa League is an intriguing scenario. Four European quests have left him wanting more, and I should think he’d want to stay. It is two years since Everton were in the Europa League, and would therefore constitute short-term progress.

 

But, this situation will present more though-provoking, and further challenges. Moyes will consider this secondary to Champions League qualification, and may walk away on the premise he has been unable to break through the glass ceiling of qualification for Europe’s elite cup competition.

Crown jewels: Fellaini and Baines are vital components in Everton's top-four ambitions 

It will also result in a summer of uncertainty over two of Everton's biggest assets. Marouane Fellaini will almost certainly kick up a fuss either via his father or the Belgium media, while Leighton Baines may be tempted by Champions League football should a club come calling.

 

The prospect of losing marquee players isn’t new to Moyes, but it may well be one that he feels he has outgrown.

 

Sure, Moyes has a decision to make. In the meantime, it is up to the players to ignore speculation over his future and ensure Everton's season is played out right until the final kick in May. I for one hope it is enough for the manager to extend his 11-year association with the club. 

Forever Blue

Tim Cahill, the name is synonymous with Everton.

The term legend over used, but not here.

From his debut against Mancunian reds, and his first goal against neighbouring

blue,

The man became the epitome of this club, a gem - like us - born Blue.

His first season brought European nights back to Goodison.

Dedication, work-rate, professionalism and spirit, the blueprint of a new

dawn.

Euro nights were short-lived, but not his qualities.

The corner flag celebration was born in the North-East, while his late goals

became ritual.

His talents were soon showcased on the world stage,

A double brought down the Japanese.

The first Aussie goal at a World Cup,

A cult now for club and country, his status on the up.

Further accolades made their way, as his stock continued to soar.

Now dining at the top table, one of 50 nominees for the Ballon D'Or.

Suitors shuffled and sniffed, but his loyalty never wavered.

An EFC breaking news double special, contract extensions for Arteta, and

his mate Cahill.

A metatarsal break gave brief relief to teams and corner flags across the land,

But his comeback and a leap so exquisite had James' face in his hands.

Derby goals continued to tally up, his name written into folklore,

Tim Cahill now etched alongside Dixie, where he'll remain forever more.

A Tiny tear was shed by Evertonians,

As the news filtered through.

Although gone, he's never forgotten.

The boy from Sydney,

Forever Blue.

How do you solve a problem like England?

Arrivederci Fabio: Capello and Bernstein's showdown talks ended in a handshake and farewell

Fabio Capello sensationally resigned as England manager yesterday just 121 days before the European Championships get underway in Poland and the Ukraine.

Four months before the first ball is kicked, England are without a manager, and a captain.

Many have tried and failed in the hot seat. Capello’s reign will ultimately be remembered for the shambles at the World Cup two years ago, where England succumbed to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Germany.

But Capello isn’t the problem. Nor McClaren, Eriksson, Keegan or Hoddle.

England’s record in major tournaments since they lifted the Jules Rimet trophy in 1966 has been far from stellar. Semi-final appearances at Italia ‘90 and Euro ‘96 the best they have managed.

The fact England has arguably the best league in the world is more to do with foreign imports since the inception of the Premier League, Sky’s money, and the fact England is a swell place to live (despite the recent arctic temperatures).

England currently lie fifth in the FIFA world rankings, but their record against the cream of world football defies such lofty status.

In the last two years, England under Capello have faced Spain, Holland, Germany, Brazil and France.

A 2-2 friendly draw with Holland in August 2009 was followed by a 1-0 defeat in Qatar at the hands of Brazil that November.

The thrashing to Germany followed, while a 2-1 reverse to France at Wembley in November 2010 didn’t inspire confidence in the national side.

The one anomaly to these set of results is of course the 1-0 victory over Spain last autumn. That, paired with a comfortable victory by the same scoreline to Sweden a few days later, was supposed to propel England towards to Euros this summer.

However, true to form, circumstance and ill-decision have derailed this momentum.

The points is, England have flattered to deceive for almost five decades, and despite a wealth of managerial talent to pass through the revolving doors at Soho Square, few have come close to replicating Sir Alf Ramsay’s feat.

The archaic structure that is the FA is at the root of the national side’s problems.

Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan tweeted to say he thought the FA Committee was ‘old school’. Despite his lack of affiliation to the sport, he was not wrong.

It is chock-a-block of old bigwigs who need a kick into the 21^st Century. Not enough time and effort is spent on grassroots, and the much-delayed home for England’s future stars, St George’s Park, is long overdue.

The academy in Burton won’t be ready until August. Just in time for a new manager one could argue. But too late for a generation that would have benefitted from similar tuition seen at Clairefontaine, a football centre famed for providing the platform for France's onslaught towards World Cup glory in 1998 and Euro 2000 success.

In many ways, the latest chapter in England’s helter-skelter history encapsulates how the FA has always operated: by dilly-dallying and missing the boat.

The debacle that set the wheels in motion for Capello’s resignation, the allegations made against John Terry, should have been cleaned up by now.

The incident involving Anton Ferdinand took place at Loftus Road on October 23. Over three months ago.

Terry’s behaviour both on and off the pitch over the past two years has not been in keeping with that of national team captain. The trial is scheduled for July 9, eight days after the Euro 2012 final. Therefore, there is no question he was rightly deposed last week.

But why has it taken this long?

Furthermore, after Capello’s words to Italy's state broadcaster RAI, where he totally disagreed with FA chairman David Bernstein's decision to strip Terry of the captaincy, three days elapsed before he was summoned to a meeting.

Bernstein was not bold enough to dismiss a man who openly rebelled against an organisation who paid him a reported £6m annual salary. It gave Capello time to assess his options, leaving the FA with egg on their face once more.

St George’s Park, Terry, Capello. A pattern is beginning to emerge.

There is no firm leadership at the FA and, as Martin Samuel argued in today’s Mail, Capello quit over a basic point of principle - that the football man does the football. And when this is taken away, he walks away.

You do wonder what Harry Redknapp is potentially letting himself in for.

Would the FA have stood by their man in the same way Tottenham have in recent weeks?

So, how do you solve a problem like England?

Recent events have cast serious aspersions on how the FA is run, but it is not the only concern.

Capello was supremely qualified for the role: Seven Seria A titles, four Italian Cups, two La Ligas, one Champions League and a Super Cup in a managerial career spanning 21 years. Add to this a win percentage of 66.67 with England.

One could even argue his three-and-a-half year tenure with the national side was a relative success.

Barring the humiliating exit at the hands of Germany, where there were no mitigating circumstances (Matthew Upson perhaps one), his record in qualification was exemplary, and a fresh, exuberant England team was beginning to blossom this qualifying campaign.

Capello ultimately struggled to assert his authority on the England side

Capello, in my opinion, walks away from this with his dignity intact as he proves he is not merely a puppet.

His club record puts Redknapp to shame, so there’s nothing to suggest two years down the line after a World Cup in Brazil, we won’t be returning to the same old issues as to where the problems lie.

Redknapp may be the people’s choice, but it doesn’t solve the crux of the problem: the FA.

It is too easy to say, ‘see how Spain do it, let’s follow them’.

What works for one, doesn’t necessarily work for the other. What is clear though, is that a change in approach, organisation and delivery is needed from the FA.

Keri-Anne: the first of many

Swimmer Keri-Anne Payne cemented her place in London 2012 last week when she won gold in the 10k open water event at the World Championships in Shanghai.

Despite having to deal with flying limbs, scorching temperatures peaking at over 30c, Keri-Anne ploughed her way through to become the first of 550 athletes to represent the UK next summer.

Making a splash: Keri-Anne is bucking the GB trend ahead of 2012 

Keri-Anne is regarded by many to be the poster girl of British swimming - and with good reason.

But what do we know of our young Olympian?

She was born in Johannesburg, moving to Britain at 13 when her parents decided to return home.

Now settled in Stockport, the 23-year old is engaged to long-term boyfriend David Carry - a fellow swimmer.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Keri-Anne won silver in the inaugural 10k race, while a year later, she grabbed her first world championship gold in Rome.

Add to this last week's success, and the 23 year old's achievements to date are staggering.

The wave she is riding at the minute shows no sign of abating. In October she travels to Delhi for the Commonwealth Games. Here she will look to conquer the 200m and 400m indoor races, a far cry from her long-distance endurance tests.

And with Keri-Anne already the English record holder for the 200m and 400m individual medley, she has already demonstrated she is able to juggle the severe differences between endurance swimming and the sprints.

Many top athletes have already withdrawn from Delhi. World heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis and her British rival Kelly Sotherton are out, while the world's fastest man, Usain Bolt, is yet to decide.

Bucking the trend is commendable, but it awaits to be seen whether Keri-Anne has made the correct decision, as burn-out is a possibility with the countdown to London well under way.

But it would be wrong to question the decision making of a born winner, an athlete who knows how far they can push their body, in a career that has so far yielded so much.

With less than a year until the greatest sporting event arrives on our doorstep, 2012 promises to be a massive year for British sport and Kerri-Anne is all set to play her part.