Fitting reward for an Old Trafford Great

Ryan Giggs with his award

I’m not one for those TV phone ins, I would never waste my money on ‘X Factor‘ or ‘Big Brother‘ or none of the like. I look at it as a waste of money and time, I mean how does my one vote change anything? Plus usually the people you have to vote for or vote out don’t really seem worth my money but last night for the first time I picked up my phone and made a call to one of those premium numbers for the first time.

The BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards was the occasion and although I’m a boxer and was over the moon that David Haye became only the 6th British heavyweight champion of the world when he took a decision over Nickolai Valuev, when I saw Ryan Giggs nominated I knew where my money was going.

Ryan Giggs is not only a Manchester United legend but a footballing legend and it seems that people are only now, at the ripe old age of 36, recognised not only his talents but his impact on the game as he has not only won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year but also the PFA Player of the Year (Albeit 10 years late) this year.

Giggs started the night second favourite for the award with Jenson Button clearly ahead, but as the night went on Giggs’ odds grew shorter and shorter and after taking 29.4% of the vote, the Welsh man picked up the award. Maybe it was because Button was so far ahead in the betting that Giggs didn’t prepare a winner’s speech but as elegant as ever Giggs paid tribute not only to his club, Manchester United and his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson but also to his heroes Lord Seb Coe and Michael Johnson.

Giggs is the most decorated player in English football with 11 league titles, 2 Champions League titleS and a multitude of cups and other titles. This year he has been in outstanding form helping United to an 11th league title and the Champions League finals.  As well as picking up the PFA Player of the Year award in April, Giggs also made his 800th appearance for United that month and just last month he grabbed his 100th Premier League goal for United in a glorious career that has spanned 19 years.

Giggs is a role model to all those looking to get into the game, as he is the antithesis to the modern footballer. He has maintained a high standard of performance throughout his career, even in its twilight, so it is great to see him finally getting the recognition he deserves.