WHETHER you worship at the altar of football, love the sport of Kings, the pugilistic skills of the Marquis of Queensbury, the physical challenge of Rugby League, or just generally adore all sports, Merseyside's pedigree is second to none.
Be it football, boxing, athletics or of course the Grand National, the city of Liverpool is globally renowned for its sporting excellence. As if Liverpool FC's 18 League championships were not enough, the club's four European cup wins between 1977 - 1984 remains unrivalled domestically to this day. Everton FC's recent renaissance under manager David Moyes could see the Blues challenging at home and abroad once more as they look to add to their nine League titles plus the European Cup Winners Cup they lifted in 1985. The Merseyside derby is regarded as one of the best inner-city contests in the world, and with both sides challenging for honours either side of Stanley Park, there is no better time to witness the sporting rivalry between our two great clubs. While the focus is often on the Red and Blue halves of Merseyside, second division Tranmere Rovers' giantkilling exploits en route to the 2000 League Cup final and FA Cup quarter final ensured the nation became well acquainted with another great team from the banks of the River Mersey. A tough post-industrial city, Liverpool's pugilistic tendencies have been transferred into the boxing ring where once again a long list of world beaters graces the history books. From 1970s WBC light-heavyweight champion John Conteh to current two-times world champion 'Lord of the Flies' Peter Culshaw, the city has produced an array of talented fighters and national ABA amateur champions right across the scales. Liverpool is also home to the World's Greatest Steeplechase - The Grand National. The Three Day Grand National Festival takes place every April in Aintree when 100,000 visitors watch 300 horses, 1000 owners and 100 jockeys compete over three days. The most famous four-legged competitor in Grand National history, Red Rum, came from Southport. Rugby Superleague also finds divine worship on Merseyside in the form of the Saints - that's St Helens Rugby League Club to you and I, the most successful Superleague team ever. For lovers of golf Merseyside is home to over 40 courses, and the prestigious British Open returns to Lytham in 2006. As well as big names, Merseyside also hosts a multitude of other leading events, people and grass roots sports: Commonwealth 100m Hurdler Diane Hawkins (nee Allahgreen); the Women's 10K road race - the biggest such event in Britain; the Liverpool International Half-marathon; Merseyside youth games; the Clipper Circumnavigation Yacht Race and the 24 hour Yacht Race in Southport to name but a few.
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