WE'VE now we hit the final straight in the hunt to crown the Merseyside Sports Personality of 2005.
Now for the next six days it's up to ECHO readers and visitors to thisr website - to choose their favourite from the six top stars - Rafael Benitez, Tim Cahill, Nick Dougherty, Steven Gerrard, Jamie Lyon and Beth Tweddle - and decide who will follow in the footsteps of Jamie Carragher, Wayne Rooney and David Moyes, your choices over the past three years.
Our shortlist, in alphabetical order, shows the remarkable strength and talent forn sport here on Merseyside - home to two of the Premiership's biggest clubs, to two venues for golf's Open Championship in Royal Liverpool at Hoylake and Royal Birkdale in Southport, home also to the world famous Grand National, to Britain's best gymnast Beth Tweddle, to one of the country's top young golfing talents Nick Dougherty, and to a crop of stars from the world of rugby league.
Sports stars past and present will gather at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on February 6 when the Merseyside Sports Perosnality of the Year will be revealed at our major dinner and awards ceremony, compered by football commentator Clive Tyldesley, attended by FA chief executive Brian Barwick.
The event, now in its 34th year, is sponsored by M2 Sports Lawyers. So start voting now for your choice from the list on this page.
To vote by phone: Call: 09011 900 010, follow the instructions and key in as instructed the two digit code of your choice - lines are open now - or email your favourite to sport@liverpoolecho.co.uk, giving us your full address and contact details.
Or you can write to us at Liverpool ECHO Sportdesk, PO Box 48, Old Hall Street, Liverpool L69 3EB.
Alternatively you can text us between now and midnight next Thursday. Key in LESPOTY followed by a space and then the two digit number of your choice, sending your text to 84080.
