2007 will be remembered as a year that typified English sport in so many different ways. Above all else it was a year of glorious failure, of getting one hand on the trophy and then just falling short. It was also a year of horrific under-achievement for some of the highest paid sportsmen on the planet and perhaps the wally with the brolly will be our lasting memory.

You cannot start a review of 2007 without recognising the magnificent achievements of Lewis Hamilton, the first of our glorious failures. To call Hamilton’s first season in Formula One anything but magnificent would be a little churlish, but to come so close to winning a world title, only to throw it away in the last race, qualifies him as one of the glorious failures.

In his rookie season, Hamilton showed incredible skill, a mature head and huge guts. He took on team-mate and world No.1 Fernando Alonso and taught him a lesson in humility by beating the whining Spaniard time and time again. He even finished above him in the final standings due to having scored more wins. He was the shot in the arm that F1 needed to counteract the scandal and negativity of the McLaren spying row. Viewing figures went through the roof as interest that had long since faded during the Michael Schumacher years was restored. There is no doubt Hamilton will learn from the loss of a title that looked to be sewn up with two races to go, and come back even stronger in 2008 ready to fight for the crown that should have been his in 2007

‘There is no doubt Hamilton will learn from the loss of a title that looked to be sewn up with two races to go, and come back even stronger in 2008.’

Another English sportsman who had an outstanding year but just failed at the final hurdle was Ricky ‘the Hitman’ Hatton. He is undoubtedly one of the finest British boxers ever and, pound for pound, one of the best on the planet, but until 2007 he never really received the recognition he deserved. His fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. catapulted him, and boxing, into the national sporting consciousness. It was the most anticipated fight in years, had the press worked up into a lather and saw Hatton winning the pre-fight hype and taking around 15,000 fans to Las Vegas. On the night the Hitman put in an incredible effort, taking Mayweather – who is unbeaten and has won titles at an incredible five weights – to the 10th round, only to be knocked down by a left hook in the dying stages. It was a magnificent effort and all should praise him, not just for this fight, but also for the way he has raised interest in the sport in the last 12 months. It was just a shame he couldn’t come home with the title.

Finally, in terms of glorious failure, the English Rugby Union team must be mentioned. They went into this year’s World Cup as perhaps the most unfancied reigning champions ever. Expectations could not have been lower. They then stumbled past the United States and got completely stuffed by the South Africans 36-0, and the nation began to contemplate the embarrassment of being the first reigning champions not to make it out of the group stages. However that mauling by the Springboks seemed to breathe life into the English, and they made it through the group and then had stunning victories over Australia and France in the quarters and semis respectively.

This meant they made the final, where they banished memories of the group stage match to put up a good performance against a superior South Africa side, holding their own, only to lose 14-9 due to the consistency of the Springbok kicking and some silly, unforced errors. They exceeded all expectations and rightly won Team of the Year at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards. Perhaps, more importantly, the world cup campaign managed to restore pride and belief to a team that looked in danger of coming off the rails and under-achieving for years to come.