Ah yes, the moment that West Ham Utd won the World Cup.

It still counts all the same.

A good few tens of thousand West Ham fans would emphatically agree with you on that one.

So anyway, ignoring the thorny concept of global popularity, can we continue with the debate regardless?

Though its hard to come to a conclusion with the question at hand without having the debate about the global appeal of the sport.

If only I could think of someone else who has not been mentioned.

Paula Radcliffe. Before her, no-one would ever thinking of taking a shit in front of millions of people and disgracing their nation. Now, I don't think anyone's not taken a shit by the side of the road in front of a nation of millions.

global respect within in dalymount

 

 

 

Surely it's Muhammad Ali? Or is that too obvious?

The Hooligan


The face-painter


Those who pass along these ideals to hapless offspring

poor little boy

It is definitely Ronnie Rosenthal

Andy Fordham or Eric Bristow

Although Fordham is a fine athlete, and an example to man woman and child, Eric Bristow officially invented the smoker's throat and bling, so he wins.

Eric Bristow it is then.

Thread/

The Dutch might be the tallest people in the world, but hardly anyone in Holland plays basketball... well maybe some people play it, but nobody watches it, seriously.
Unless of course you mean korfball, which is pretty popular here and could well be the silliest sport ever invented.

In Europe basketball is only really popular in Eastern Europe and the Balkans I think.

Don't know who would be the most influential figure in world sport... but I'm going to say Pele or Carl Lewis.

Ah, Feyenoord.
That picture is from the last time they won the Dutch league in 1999 and "fans" demolished the city during the celebration. The city of Rotterdam is no doubt very happy that they haven't been performing well in recent years.

Yes, the word is that Holland has long eclipsed the UK in its hooliganism. I remember in the 80s when English clubs were banned from Europe, that a number of English hooligans began to support Dutch clubs whenever they played in Europe. Sinister times indeed.

The Dutch are big Darts fans too, but if the only darts players that spring to mind are Andy Fordham and Eric Bristow it seems like you need to go back to St. Dart's Bullshitting School for summer lessons