FTM Disco Pants

There has been a steady stream of cash for Graeme Swann to be crowned the BBC Sports Personality of the Year next weekend. And if voters took the term ‘personality’ literally then you’d have to say that Swann is in with a good chance of winning.

After being England’s leading wicket taker in the successful World Twenty20 campaign, getting his first 10-wicket haul in a Test match, against Bangladesh, being named the ECB Cricketer of the Year and most recently taking a five-for in Adelaide, his place in the top 10 of the BBC list is certainly warranted.

At the top of the betting is Tony McCoy who doesn’t exactly ooze charisma but there is a huge campaign within horseracing circles that could go a long way to seeing him take the accolade. Graeme McDowell also has strong credentials after all that he has achieved this year.

But if the voting public are looking for a true personality of sport to take this award then it should be Swann. By many accounts he is the spirit of the England dressing room at present and out on the field of play he certainly leads the way by example.

Andrew Flintoff has stated that if Swann were to win the award he would be unbearable to be around, yet that is part of his charm. He appreciates the fact that he is doing something that he loves for a living and he relishes every moment that he is out in the middle.

If horseracing fans can start a campaign for McCoy to get the award then I hereby start the campaign for Swann. The Nottinghamshire off-spinner has helped put English cricket back on the map in recent years and now it’s time we showed our appreciation.