There is a fine old Christmas tradition - no, not the wrapping of presents, nor turkey, nor putting out milk and biscuits for Santa but the fine old journalistic Christmas tradition of rolling up the sleeves and subjecting one's keyboard to the most searching of interviews.
Yes, folks, it istime for the review of the year - when we at the Herald on Sunday run the rule over what happened in the colourful sporting year of 2004. But wait! There lurks within this fine old Christmas tradition a clear danger - (a) that we try and tell you what you already know and (b) that we, in expressing our view of events, offer a perspective with which you do not agree.
But, in the spirit of intrepid journalism, we shall press boldly on and introduce you to what we have called Christmas Crackers - a review which offers a slightly different perspective to the sporting year.
The word 'cracker' is probably appropriate here as, for the most part, we look at the positive aspects of the year - the people, events and issues that were absolutely 'cracker jack'.
But, as we who have pulled Christmas crackers know, there are items of dubious worth which sometimes fall forth and, alas, we highlight a few of those from the sporting year as well.
Finally, we also use the third meaning of the term 'crackers' - those whacko, bizarre and inexplicable events, people, issues and statements without which the sporting year would never be complete.
Enjoy.
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
* Christmas round-up stories on the Olympics, Rugby, Rugby League, Cricket, Golf, Yachting and Netball available online.
