The Greatest British Sportspeople 140-131

140. Chris Paterson (Rugby, 1990s-2000s)

 A slightly rogue choice, this. Paterson was unfortunate to be part of a terrible era for Scottish rugby, and also unfortunate to be comparatively slight in an era when rugby players became monsters. He was a fantastically versatile player though - a flying winger to start with, a full back, a fly half. He also made a remarkable 36 consecutive kicks at goals without missing in 2007-08 which, considering he hadn't even started out as a placekicker, was all the more impressive. Never played for the Lions, but for me deserved to be a rugby star, and one of the most quietly impressive players of the professional era.

139. Fatima Whitbread (Athletics, 1980s)

Aah, the glory days of athletics. I remember the feats of Fatima Whitbread well - a double Olympic medalist, a world champion and a world record holder. A prestigious record who had two great rivalries, one with Tessa Sanderson, the other with East German Petra Felke, and if you were losing to an East German in the 80s, well ...

138. Alastair Cook (Cricket, 2000s)

In the last few years, Alastair Cook's career has really kicked on to the next level and he has shown, across all formats of the game, that he is a batsman with greatness in him. Whether he can be a great captain I slightly doubt - he seems more prefect than head boy, but I hope I'm wrong.
But halfway through his England career he was looking a) like he had some serious technical flaws and b) he couldn't score fast enough for ODIs. Hard work has paid off and his test record has taken off into the stratosphere - he'll be the first England player to 10,000 runs and I'd not be surprised if he got close to 15,000. He's been part of a great era in English cricket, and he is probably the outstanding individual performer within that era.

137. Rachel Yankey (Football, 1990s-2000s)

Still a winger of real skill and pace, Rachel Yankey also happens to be the most capped English football of all time of either gender. Also part of the ridiculously successful Arsenal team of the last few years, and one of the real trailblazers for the increasingly high profile of women's football in England.

136. Michael Owen (Football, 1990s-2000s)

 Aah, young Michael, remember him? He used to be a footballer. It's kind of hard to believe Michael Owen's retired, I really thought there'd be one more season somewhere, where he knocked in 15-20 just to remind everyone that he'd always be a goalscorer. But no, he can't be arsed with the indignities anymore.
How good was he? Well,  he won the Ballon d'Or, he scored 40 times for England, he scored in  Major Championships, and he went to Real Madrid and scored a goal for every 180 minutes on the pitch or so. He was class, and injuries, and injuries alone, were his downfall, and that's not his fault. Some managers could have shown more faith in him, but you can't really blame them. All feels a bit sad and dispiriting at the moment, but I'm sure it won't in a few years time and he'll be properly recognised.

135. Ian McGeechan (Rugby, 1960s-1970s)

 Another slightly rogue choice of a Scottish rugby player. If McGeechan, then why not Alex Ferguson, you might ask? Well, McGeechan was clearly a great rugby player, a Scotland captain and twice a British Lion. And from that, he's the greatest coach (certainly British coach) of the last few years. He's always impressed me as a towering rugby figure, a towering figure in British sport, the kind of guys that could sort out any club or institution's ills.

134. Ellie Simmonds (Swimming, 2000s)

 Four Paralympic golds so far, which isn't as many as some, but the scrutiny and the pressure she was under add lustre to the achievements. Played a huge part in the way the Paralympics gripped the nation in 2012, and that is a considerable achievement.

133. Peter Nicol (Squash, 1990s-2000s)

 Professional squash has a very low profile, not being in the Olympics yet, and not working for television, but so many people play it, and we all know how exhausting and highly skilled it is - so becoming the World Number 1 squash player and staying there is a massive sporting achievement, as far as I'm concerned. He had a famous rivalry with the Canadian player Jonathon Power.

132. Robin Cousins (Figure Skating, 1970s-1980s)

 The second Brit in a row to win Olympic skating gold and a fixture on British TV since, as well as winning loads of other things. A sport of spectacular poise and athleticism - albeit one where the fact professionals couldn't compete at the Olympics meant that sometimes it was pretty hard to know who was actually the best.

131. Lawrence Dallaglio (Rugby union, 1990s-2000s)

 The very definition of the English alpha male ooberman, Dallaglio was a great captain and probably would have stayed captain were it not for his indiscretions. A consistent part of the great era of English rugby, and a constantly thrilling player with ball in hand. Seemed to be exactly what other nations hated about the England rugby team, but I'm sure he didn't mind that at all