Cricket lost the game’s greatest ever batsman when Australian Sir Don Bradman died aged 92 at his Adelaide home in February.

'The Don', who tormented English bowlers during his career, boasted a Test average of 99.94, an achievement which may never be bettered.

Another blow came with the death of Bert Sutcliffe, considered by some to be New Zealand’s equivalent of Bradman and one of the great left-handed batsmen.

Former Pakistan umpire Shakoor Rana, famed for his fall-out with England cricketer Mike Gatting, also died. He suffered a heart attack at the age of 66.

Football mourned many familiar figures.

Only weeks after Liverpool sealed their cup treble, former manager Joe Fagan - one of the club’s famous “boot room” graduates - died at the age of 80.

In his first season as Anfield chief in 1983/84, Fagan led Liverpool to the league title, European and Milk (League) Cups.

Arsenal fans mourned the loss of ex-manager Bertie Mee, the man behind their league and FA Cup double in 1971. And cancer claimed former Gunners midfielder David Rocastle at the age of 33.

Scottish star Jim Baxter died. The Rangers left-half shone in his country’s 3-2 defeat of world champions England at Wembley in 1967.

Football also said its final farewells to Bobby Murdoch, one of Celtic’s ‘Lisbon Lions’, and former Manchester United goalkeeper Les Sealey.

Others who passed away included Stan Cullis, who guided Wolves to three championship titles, and successful former QPR and Fulham manager Alec Stock.

Commentators Brian Moore and Bryon Butler will also be fondly remembered.

The world of rugby union paid tributes to former Scotland and Lions second row Gordon Brown and France’s famous ex-prop forward Robert Paparemborde.

Rugby league said goodbye to Willie Horne, who captained Great Britain in the 1950s.

Charismatic Formula One team founder Ken Tyrrell passed away at the age of 77. The sport also lost former Ferrari driver Michele Alboreto.

Boxing trainer Eddie Futch, who turned out 20 world champions including Larry Holmes and Riddick Bowe, died aged 90.

Britain’s double Olympic shooting gold medallist Malcolm Cooper lost his battle against cancer in June.

Kenya mourned for one-time 10,000m world record holder Richard Chelimo, who died of a brain tumour.

Horse racing suffered the loss of respected journalist and owner Graham Rock, and one of its top equine stars, Dubai Millennium.

American motor racing fans were stunned when seven-time Nascar champion Dale Earnhardt was killed in a crash at the Daytona 500.

Tragedy also struck American footballer Korey Stringer. The Minnesota Vikings player collapsed in training.

Skiing followers were left in shock after world Super-G champion Regine Cavagnoud’s fatal training accident in October.

As the year neared a close, New Zealand’s leading yachtsman Sir Peter Blake was murdered by pirates near the Amazon.