(Happy) New Years Honours List?
Well, the British New Years Honours List for 2009 didn't throw up that many surprises, which is a surprise in itself as there are usually a handful of names that leaves Joe Public asking "who?" "what?" or "why?"
Status Quo have been boogieing the twelve-bar three-chord blues rock and pop for over 40 years now, and the OBE's given to the two ever presents and original members - Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi - were for services to music and charity, and I believe it was the boys themselves who good humouredly acknowledged it was nice that 'OBE' included the names of two of the three chords they play and know...
Many others were honoured including a knighthood for actor Patrick Stewart, and the Scottish rugby international-turned Lions coach, Ian McGeechan, was also knighted.
But then there's the other side of the coin. Or medal, sorry...
The 2009 Formula One Drivers Champion, Jenson Button, was awarded an MBE.
Now this is not a surprise, because although Mr Button didn't exactly burn rubber during previous F1 seasons, he's not the only British driver to receive this or a similar award. Indeed many of them have, including Lewis Hamilton (runner up in the F1 Championship of 2007 and winner in 2008) and Damon Hill (winner of the championship in 1996) who belong to the F1 club that own shiny gongs.
Others such as Sir Jackie Stewart and Nigel Mansell have also previously been honoured, but in their case (particularly Sir Jackie Shortbread) it was truly services to motorsport - the three mentioned earlier had more to do with being Brits winning the Championship that the Old Boys Network feel it's the Empire's God given right to win every year, dontcha' know (much the same as there's a public enquiry every four years when England don't win the Soccer World Cup).
Good luck to young Jensers, but clearly he won the 2009 title as much because of Ross Brawn and the Brawn GP team as his own driving ability (arguably far more because of Mr Brawn and his team).
Ross Brawn is also the man responsible for making Ferrari uber-competitive during the reign of Michael Schumacher and his multiple Championships, and truly brilliant driver that Dick Dastardly is/ was, he probably doesn't pick up that many wins or Championships in the go-faster scuderia red cars without Uncle Ross.
Herr Schuey admits that himself.
Jenson Button didn't pick up his MBE so much for being F1 Champion as much for being British F1 Champion.
Well, I say British...
Shortly after the Honours List was confirmed, BBC Radio 2 (one of the flagship radio stations here in the U.K.) had an item in their sporting news about Button moving to the McLaren team where wonder-kid Lewis Hamilton resides, and with Schumacher coming out of retirement and driving for his old friend Ross Brawn at what is now the Mercedes GP team, it was a case of mouth-watering anticipation for the F1 2010 Season (not in my house, chief) and the prospect of "a German Team against an English Team" before the sudden realisation and quick correction "...I mean British Team".
Uh-huh.
Still, it was yet another chance to play the 'Germany versus England' card that BBC sporting correspondents, amongst others, use at any and every opportunity.
Indeed that very comment probably guaranteed the BBC reporter a spot on the Queen's approved Honours List for 2010...
Sorry, did I just say BBC? My mistake, I meant EBC.
Ross Muir
January 2010
Well, the British New Years Honours List for 2009 didn't throw up that many surprises, which is a surprise in itself as there are usually a handful of names that leaves Joe Public asking "who?" "what?" or "why?"
Status Quo have been boogieing the twelve-bar three-chord blues rock and pop for over 40 years now, and the OBE's given to the two ever presents and original members - Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi - were for services to music and charity, and I believe it was the boys themselves who good humouredly acknowledged it was nice that 'OBE' included the names of two of the three chords they play and know...
Many others were honoured including a knighthood for actor Patrick Stewart, and the Scottish rugby international-turned Lions coach, Ian McGeechan, was also knighted.
But then there's the other side of the coin. Or medal, sorry...
The 2009 Formula One Drivers Champion, Jenson Button, was awarded an MBE.
Now this is not a surprise, because although Mr Button didn't exactly burn rubber during previous F1 seasons, he's not the only British driver to receive this or a similar award. Indeed many of them have, including Lewis Hamilton (runner up in the F1 Championship of 2007 and winner in 2008) and Damon Hill (winner of the championship in 1996) who belong to the F1 club that own shiny gongs.
Others such as Sir Jackie Stewart and Nigel Mansell have also previously been honoured, but in their case (particularly Sir Jackie Shortbread) it was truly services to motorsport - the three mentioned earlier had more to do with being Brits winning the Championship that the Old Boys Network feel it's the Empire's God given right to win every year, dontcha' know (much the same as there's a public enquiry every four years when England don't win the Soccer World Cup).
Good luck to young Jensers, but clearly he won the 2009 title as much because of Ross Brawn and the Brawn GP team as his own driving ability (arguably far more because of Mr Brawn and his team).
Ross Brawn is also the man responsible for making Ferrari uber-competitive during the reign of Michael Schumacher and his multiple Championships, and truly brilliant driver that Dick Dastardly is/ was, he probably doesn't pick up that many wins or Championships in the go-faster scuderia red cars without Uncle Ross.
Herr Schuey admits that himself.
Jenson Button didn't pick up his MBE so much for being F1 Champion as much for being British F1 Champion.
Well, I say British...
Shortly after the Honours List was confirmed, BBC Radio 2 (one of the flagship radio stations here in the U.K.) had an item in their sporting news about Button moving to the McLaren team where wonder-kid Lewis Hamilton resides, and with Schumacher coming out of retirement and driving for his old friend Ross Brawn at what is now the Mercedes GP team, it was a case of mouth-watering anticipation for the F1 2010 Season (not in my house, chief) and the prospect of "a German Team against an English Team" before the sudden realisation and quick correction "...I mean British Team".
Uh-huh.
Still, it was yet another chance to play the 'Germany versus England' card that BBC sporting correspondents, amongst others, use at any and every opportunity.
Indeed that very comment probably guaranteed the BBC reporter a spot on the Queen's approved Honours List for 2010...
Sorry, did I just say BBC? My mistake, I meant EBC.
Ross Muir
January 2010