THE Sports Journalists’ Association,

who are far more professionally run than they used to be, have hit on a successful formula for their British Sports Awards.

They hand trophies to recipients such as Brendan Foster, Lincoln city’s cowley brothers and the British 4x100m relay World championship gold medal team who are not just deserving, but will turn up for the event. This prevents too many no-shows, with only Sportsman of the Year chris Froome — a category voted for by members — missing at yesterday’s awards bash.