The SIG Column – 20 December

As the festive season comes upon us, Drew Barrand, head of media at Sport Industry Group, asks what each of the different sports have on their Christmas wish lists this year and what 2006 brought that they’d rather forget…

Football

The hierarchy running the beautiful game are not unused to being criticised but this year’s events must count as a watershed moment even for the more battle-hardened of the sport’s governors. Things not to mention round the Christmas dinner table include Sven, WAGs and unscrupulous agents. On the wish list to bring festive cheer will undoubtedly be a run of wins for McLaren, foreign takeover bids for clubs from more reputable sources, and Lord Stevens naming, shaming and extraditing that pesky handful of agents who ruin it for the rest.

Rugby Union

Where to start? If you could parcel up a memory device that would erase everything that happened in 2006 then that’s something that the RFU would unwrap with unparalleled glee. Given that Christmas magic does not extend to such miracles, those controlling the future of the game would settle for the gift of a peace treaty between Twickenham HQ and the Premiership clubs. Oh and if Santa could help Brian Ashton’s England to sweep all before them in defending the World Cup that would be great. But then there’s some Christmas wishes which never come true…

Cricket

Despite being bowled over by a 37-year old bleach blonde surfer in the space of 17 days, sending the urn back Down Under after a short loan period, English cricket is not all doom and gloom. The ECB’s coffers have been suitably filled in the last 12 months and the team boasts a number of talented players, just not as talented as the Australians. But then, who is? The best Christmas present English cricket could receive would be a magic fix to the woes of the one-day side whose record in comparison to the successes of the Test team defies belief. Coming just in time for next year’s World Cup, such a gift would be very handy indeed and go some way to eradicating another Ashes disaster. Just don’t mention Pakistan to the ECB.

Olympics

Lord Coe and Sir Keith Mills might be on the Queen’s honours list but this hasn’t protected them from the wrath of the media. Somewhat predictably, the preparations for London 2012 have been beset by naysayers and the organising committee is undoubtedly hoping its festive wish to be left alone to do its job is found underneath the Canary Wharf Christmas tree. Not that they’ll be keen to open their present from Gordon Brown. A multi-million pound tax bill is not exactly on the list of things you’d want to find in your Christmas stocking…