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2007's sporting flops

We look back at those who failed to hit the heights during the last 12 months

Last updated: 20th December 2007

England's footballers

The whole England side, including sacked manager Steve McClaren, must take collective responsibility for their dismal failure to qualify for Euro 2008. Some serious damage was done in 2006 but the manner of defeats to Russia and Croatia at the end of the campaign was disappointing.

Paul Robinson

After a number of blunders, Tottenham goalkeeper Robinson finally paid the price for his inconsistency by losing his England place right at the end of their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. It capped a dismal year for a man who remains one of the country's top prospects. The only silver lining was missing the Croatia defeat.

Andrew Flintoff

Blaming all-rounder Flintoff for all the England team's ills during last winter's Ashes disaster and the World Cup is harsh, but his antics were emblematic of those sorry campaigns. The pedalo affair was a particular embarrassment but persistent ankle problems since have been far more worrying.

Jimmy Maher

Australian Maher took the award as the season's worst overseas player after managing just 252 runs in 15 County Championship innings for Glamorgan. He fared even worse in the Pro40, averaging just 9.20. Sri Lankan Lasith Malinga, after just two wickets in four games for Kent, might have shaded him but he at least had a fine World Cup.

Jenson Button

The one-time bright hope of British Formula One was well and truly usurped this year by Lewis Hamilton. He was not helped by a poor car but he managed just six world championship points all season for Honda and his attitude was criticised by former champion Nigel Mansell.

Darren Clarke

One of the heroes of Europe's 2006 Ryder Cup win lost his way this year as he managed only one top-20 finish in 20 events on the European Tour. He best effort in a major was his joint 42nd at the US PGA Championship.

Wales rugby union team

Wales were not among the favourites for the World Cup but they were at least expected to qualify from their pool. Their dismal and complacent performances, however, culminated in a defeat to Fiji that cost them a place in the last eight. Coach Gareth Jenkins was sacked immediately.

Lawrence Dallaglio

The former England linchpin played only a peripheral role in England's World Cup campaign but still had plenty to say about it. Dallaglio rushed out an autobiography to dish the dirt on what was expected to be a dismal campaign even though it almost, spectacularly, went right.

Stuart Fielden

Rugby league's world-record signing started 2007 with high hopes but his form suffered a prolonged slump as Wigan endured one of the most tumultuous seasons in their recent history. He lost his place in the Great Britain squad as a result.