‘The last time I got a 135 it was a bus!’...2020’s sporting quotes of the year

“Waited eight years for this, what’s another one in the grand scheme of things? – World champion heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson was philosophical about the Olympics being postponed.

“We are speaking about a very difficult situation and if I could, if I could, I would move immediately to the 1st of July.” – Tottenham were stuttering under Jose Mourinho before lockdown. He pretty much got his wish.

“The only fair and reasonable thing to do is declare the whole season null and void.” – Karren Brady, vice-chair of relegation-threatened West Ham.

“It’s a huge effort, a huge success, and I think it’s a positive image for the sport in general, for tennis.” – Novak Djokovic told Eurosport about the Adria Tour tournament he organised in the midst of the pandemic.

“Anybody know who I can talk to about the Government food voucher scheme?” – Marcus Rashford, Manchester United striker and soon-to-be national treasure.

“It’s the best thing I can imagine and more than I could have ever dreamed of. It’s unbelievable. Much more than I ever thought would be possible.” – An emotional Jurgen Klopp celebrated Liverpool’s belated title win.

“I would be fining him at half-time, there is no getting away from that. I would be swinging punches at that guy.” – Roy Keane outlined his man-management approach while discussing David De Gea.

“I’m frustrated, angry and gutted. It’s difficult to understand.” – Stuart Broad was left out by England for the first Test against the West Indies. He returned with 16 wickets, including his 500th, in the remaining two Tests.

“I don’t think I’ll ever forget about it, because it’s one of these things that stays in your memory for the rest of your life.” – A contrite Djokovic, defaulted from the US Open after hitting a line judge with a ball.

“It’s quite sad that seven masks aren’t enough for all the names. Hopefully I’ll get to the final and you can see all of them.” – Naomi Osaka wore a mask with the name of a victim of racist or police violence before each of her US Open matches. She did reach the final – and won it.

“I don’t even know what to say. Just look at what we can do when we come together, THIS is England in 2020.” – Marcus Rashford, MBE, celebrates his biggest win of the season, his campaigning forced a Government U-turn to supply free school meals to disadvantaged children.

“Hello everyone, just wanted to say I am OK – well sort of OK.” – Hospitalised Romain Grosjean sort of played down the fiery crash that ripped his car in two at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

“I feel like I’m only just getting started, it’s really weird.” – Lewis Hamilton, after clinching a seventh World Championship and becoming the most successful racing driver ever.

“The last time I got a 135 it was a bus!” – Veteran Ken Doherty celebrated a match-winning break at snooker’s Championship League.

“I dropped my guts. I said to the ref: ‘Was that you?’ We had a laugh out there. He was in bits.” – Windy world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan caused a stink at the Northern Ireland Open.

“I’m looking at it as a par 67 for me because I can reach all the par-fives in two, no problem.” – Bryson DeChambeau planned to overpower Augusta. But the pre-tournament favourite finished the Masters outside the top 30.

“One day, I hope we can play football together in the sky.” – Pele after the death of fellow great Diego Maradona.

“’You obviously don’t expect the game to quite finish like that.” – St Helens head coach Kristian Woolf following the most dramatic climax in Super League Grand Final history.

“We’re not even in the race so we’re not a horse. We’re a pony.” – Mourinho’s cockney rhyming slang is coming along nicely.

“These Olympic Games, Tokyo 2020 in 2021, can, should and will be the light at the end of the tunnel that all humankind is in at this moment.” – IOC president Thomas Bach. Amen to that.