Fans campaign to make AP McCoy BBC Sports Personality of the Year
More than 5,000 people have joined a Facebook campaign to name AP McCoy as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Jason Burkhill from Sheffield kicked off the campaign on Saturday (10 April) after AP won the Grand National — on his 15th attempt.
“I feel the whole country and not just racing fans should acknowledge the achievements of what AP McCoy has done,” Jason told H&H.
More than 2,500 members became a fan of the page in 36 hours and the number is now up to more than 3,100 — including jockeys Aidan Coleman and Liam Heard.
Jason has contacted the press and has even had the Facebook group’s link read out on At The Races in order to garner support.
After AP rode his 3,000th jump winner in Britain last February, the horseworld was shocked that the 14-time champion didn’t even receive a nomination for the award.
“As he won the Grand National last weekend now is the perfect time to give the campaign a boost — because not just racing fans watch the race, the whole world does,” added Jason.
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“The BBC has cut racing coverage and now only shows major race meetings and I feel racing, and AP, are not given the praise they deserve.
“AP became 14-times National Hunt champion last year and was not even nominated, if we can push the campaign they will have to notice him.”
But it is the sports editors of national newspapers that need to support AP, as they nominate the shortlist of sportsmen and women for the award given each December.
“The top ten Sports Personality of the Year contenders are decided independently of the BBC by sports editors from across the national, regional and sport media. The names with the most nominations make up the final 10 contenders for the award,” said a BBC spokesman.
Jason has teamed up with a second Facebook group set up by Emily Blood and Andrew Yoxall. This group has more than 2,300 members in support of the jockey.
“We have joined forces and we can be even stronger now with two of us campaigning in different parts of the country,” added Jason.
Emily and Andrew wrote: “AP McCoy is a fundamental part of horseracing today. Not only inspiring many young riders to attempt to tread in his footsteps but by also inspiring ‘no hopers’ to win a race where nobody else would manage.”
To join the groups visit: http://www.facebook.com/pages/make-tony-mccoy-sport-personality-of-the-year/112776732079921
And: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=334875428594&ref=search&sid=518246677.2631221347..1
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.