England's captain and talisman inspired his teammates and the whole country watching at home, as he won the World Cup Golden Boot in Russia.
There have been more than 50 years of hurt since England lifted the World Cup in 1966, with tournament highlights few and far between since then.
It took something extra-special to stand out in a gold-strewn 2016, but Dame Sarah Storey’s achievement of becoming our most decorated Paralympian was truly inspirational.