Relive some of those memories with Sportsmail's monthly guide to another year to remember.
February1 Tottenham striker Robbie Keane moved to Celtic on loan for the rest of the season in the biggest deal of transfer deadline day. Middlesbrough sold Adam Johnson to Manchester City for around £7million, Stoke signed Portsmouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic for £3.25million, Mido joined West Ham on loan from Middlesbrough and Wigan signed Crystal Palace youngster Victor Moses for £2.5million. The FA confirmed Fabio Capello alone would be responsible for any decision about John Terry's future as England captain following allegations about his private life. Sunderland and Stoke played out a 0-0 draw in the Barclays Premier League at the Stadium of Light.
Read Matt Lawton and Michael Walker on the beginning of the end for John Terry's reign as England captain2 Didier Drogba celebrated his return from international duty by notching his 20th goal of the season to spare Chelsea's blushes against lowly Hull in a 1-1 Premier League draw at the KC Stadium. Robbie Keane's Celtic debut ended in a 1-0 defeat at Kilmarnock in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. Wales international Lee Byrne won his appeal against the two-week ban imposed by European Rugby Cup following his brief appearance as an illegal 16th player during the Ospreys' Heineken Cup victory over Leicester. The suspension was replaced by a fine of 5,000 euros, making Byrne available for Wales' RBS 6 Nations opener against England.
3 John Terry issued a statement to say he would make no comment on the England captaincy until after speaking to manager Fabio Capello. Tottenham ousted Leeds from the FA Cup in a fourth-round replay at Elland Road, with Jermain Defoe bagging a hat-trick in a 3-1 win. Allan Donald declared his interest in becoming England's new bowling coach.
4 The Court of Arbitration for Sport lifted the transfer embargo imposed on Chelsea by FIFA following their signing of Gael Kakuta. Hong Kong businessman Balram Chainrai became the new owner of Portsmouth. Melbourne Rebels coach Rod Macqueen claimed reports his club were to sign Danny Cipriani were 'premature'.
5 England manager Fabio Capello stripped John Terry of the national captaincy over allegations regarding the Chelsea defender's personal life. Rio Ferdinand was confirmed as his replacement. Snowsport GB, the governing body for ski and snowboard sport in the UK, was placed into administration. Fulham striker Andy Johnson was ruled out for the season with a knee injury.
No mercy: England's two-try hero James Haskell gives Andy Powell short shrift at Twickenham
6 England beat Wales 30-17 in their RBS 6 Nations opener at Twickenham. Man of the match James Haskell scored two tries. Meanwhile Ireland completed an expected 29-11 win over Italy at Croke Park. Ten-man Liverpool beat Everton 1-0 in the 213th Merseyside derby, with Dirk Kuyt scoring his 50th goal for the Anfield side. Wayne Bridge made his first appearance for Manchester City since he was named as being one of the people involved in the issues with John Terry's private life.
7 England were drawn with Switzerland, Bulgaria, Wales and Montenegro in qualifying for Euro 2012. The draw, which took place in Poland, saw the Republic of Ireland drawn with Russia, Slovakia, FYR Macedonia, Armenia and Andorra. Northern Ireland were selected to face Italy, Serbia, Slovenia, Estonia and the Faroe Islands. Scotland came out of the draw with Spain, Czech Republic, Lithuania and Liechtenstein. Chelsea went back to the top of the Barclays Premier League as two goals from Didier Drogba saw them win 2-0 against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, while Birmingham won 2-1 at home to struggling Wolves with a late double from Kevin Phillips. Scotland opened their RBS Six Nations campaign with an 18-9 defeat to France at Murrayfield. The New Orleans Saints won their first Super Bowl with a surprise 31-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Miami.
Read David Kent on how Hurricane Katrina inspired New Orleans Saints to Super Bowl victory Renaissance man: Drew Brees hit a record-equalling 32 passes for 288 yards, with touchdowns to Pierre Thomas and Jeremy Shockey
8 Bolton defender Gary Cahill was ruled out for a number of months due to a blood clot in his arm. Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie admitted the club's best hope for their court date with HM Revenue & Customs was to delay the winding-up order. Five players from French Super League club Catalans Dragons were arrested following an alleged brawl in Leeds city centre. The New Orleans Saints won their first Super Bowl with a surprise 31-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Miami.
9 Portsmouth's Aruna Dindane scored a 96th-minute equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland on the eve of the club's High Court hearing over debts owed to HM Revenue & Customs. Manchester City moved level on points with fourth-placed Liverpool in the Barclays Premier League courtesy of a 2-0 home win over Bolton. Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand withdrew his appeal against an additional one-game ban imposed for a 'frivolous' challenge to a violent conduct charge. World heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis withdrew from the Aviva World Trials and UK Championships in her home town of Sheffield due to a foot injury.
10 Portsmouth were granted a seven-day extension by the High Court in their quest to remain in business as they faced a winding-up petition from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs. Things tightened at the top of the Barclays Premier League as leaders Chelsea lost 2-1 at Everton, second-placed Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by Aston Villa, and third-placed Arsenal recorded a 1-0 win over Liverpool. Leicester tight-head prop Dan Cole, 22, was named in the starting XV for the RBS 6 Nations clash against Italy, with Riki Flutey recalled to the side.
11 Chelsea announced that defender Ashley Cole would be out of action for approximately three months after fracturing his left ankle against Everton. The Football Association charged Portsmouth manager Avram Grant with improper conduct for confronting referee Kevin Friend at half-time during their 1-1 draw with Sunderland. Manchester United confirmed that winger Ryan Giggs fractured his right arm in their 1-1 draw against Aston Villa. The Welshman was ruled out for four weeks.
12 International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said the death of Georgian luge athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili in a training accident 'clearly cast a shadow' over the Vancouver Winter Games in the build-up to the opening ceremony. Sven-Goran Eriksson left his post as director of football at troubled Notts County in the wake of the latest takeover - claiming he did so to save the club. Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini said he expected Wayne Bridge to look past his personal problems and answer England's call to replace the injured Ashley Cole.
Read Sportsmail's Chief Sports Writer Martin Samuel on the tragedy of Nodar Kumaritashvili Tragedy: Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili
13Holders Chelsea reached the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 4-1 win overCardiff while crisis club Portsmouth beat local rivals Southampton bythe same score at St Mary's. In other matches, Birmingham beat Derbywhile Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Stoke. In the SixNations, Grand Slam champions Ireland were dismantled 33-10 by France,ending a 12-match unbeaten run for Declan Kidney's side. Wales stagedan incredible comeback against 13-man Scotland to win 31-24. Scotland'sThom Evans suffered a serious injury during the match and underwentneck surgery.
14 Tom Huddlestone missed a penalty as Tottenham drew 1-1 at Bolton in the FA Cup fifth round at the Reebok Stadium. Stiliyan Petrov scored a controversial 87th-minute equaliser as Aston Villa drew 2-2 at Crystal Palace. Fulham beat Notts County 4-0. England beat Italy 17-12 in the RBS 6 Nations. Scottish Rugby revealed Thom Evans would miss the rest of the season following surgery on the neck injury he suffered against Wales while full-back Chris Paterson was ruled out for up to 10 weeks with kidney damage.
15 Andy Powell was dropped from Wales' RBS 6 Nations squad after being charged with drink-driving after he was arrested with a golf buggy at motorway services on the M4 following the 31-24 defeat of Scotland. Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery was cited for his dangerous lunge on Alexis Palisson in the 33-10 defeat by France. Melbourne included Englishman Gareth Widdop in their squad for their World Club Challenge clash with Leeds.
Andy Powell talks to Peter Jackson about 'buggygate'16 Wayne Rooney scored twice as Manchester United came from behind to defeat AC Milan 3-2 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash at the San Siro. Scottish Rugby confirmed Scotland wing Thom Evans would undergo a second operation on his neck. Evans suffered a serious injury in his country's RBS 6 Nations defeat by Wales. Meanwhile, Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones was ruled out of the remainder of the championship due to an elbow injury. Everton beat Sporting Lisbon 2-1 in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie but it was confirmed midfielder Marouane Fellaini would undergo an ankle operation and was expected to miss the rest of the season.
17 Former Great Britain hooker Terry Newton was provisionally suspended by the Rugby Football League after being charged by United Kingdom Anti-Doping (UKAD) with a rule violation. Manchester City midfielder Patrick Vieira was charged with violent conduct by the Football Association after kicking Glenn Whelan between the legs in the 1-1 draw at Stoke the previous night. Arsenal lost 2-1 to Porto in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League clash in Lisbon, with both Porto goals coming as a result of goalkeeping errors.
18 Togo's appeal for provisional measures to be taken to ensure their place in the preliminary draw for the 2012 African Nations Cup was dismissed, the Court of Arbitration for Sport confirmed. Portsmouth asked the Premier League for permission to sell players outside the transfer window in a bid to ease their financial crisis. Wolves were handed a £25,000 suspended fine after fielding a weakened team for their fixture at Manchester United on December 15, the Premier League Board announced.
Please forgive me: Tiger Woods makes his public apology
19 Tiger Woods issued a full and frank apology for cheating on wife Elin in his first public appearance since a car crash in November. He set no date for his return to golf, but did not rule out making his comeback at some stage in 2010. Wasps confirmed that fly-half Danny Cipriani would leave the club at the end of the season to join newly-formed Australian club Melbourne Rebels. Patrick Vieira received a three-match ban after accepting a Football Association charge of violent conduct relating to an incident in Manchester City's match against Stoke on February 16.
Read Piers Morgan on Tiger Woods' 'utterly nauseating' return to the public eye20 Amy Williams won Great Britain's first individual Winter Olympic gold medal for 30 years, claiming the skeleton title. Team-mate Shelley Rudman was sixth. Chelsea went four points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League as they beat Wolves 2-0 and Manchester United slipped up at Everton, losing 3-1. Abdul Razzaq hit 46 in just 18 deliveries as Pakistan beat England by four wickets in the second and final Twenty20 international in Dubai to draw the series 1-1.
Golden girl: Amy Williams finishes the final heat to win gold in the women's Skeleton final at Whistler
Read Neil Wilson on glorious golden day for Amy Williams at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver21 Ian Poulter won the WGC-Accenture Match Play title with a 4&2 victory over Paul Casey in Tucson. Tottenham moved into fourth position in the Barclays Premier League on goal difference with a gritty 3-0 victory against Wigan as Manchester City drew 0-0 with Liverpool at Eastlands. American skier Bode Miller finally struck Olympic gold after a storming run in the slalom earned him the super-combined title.
22 Rugby league player Terry Newton, who had admitted taking human growth hormone, had his contract terminated by Wakefield and was banned from all rugby for two years. Portsmouth accepted Sulaiman Al Fahim's resignation as non-executive chairman. Andy Murray, playing his first match since the Australian Open final, beat Russian qualifier Igor Kunitsyn 6-2 6-3 in the first round of the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships.
23 Portsmouth owner Balram Chainrai announced his intention to put the club in administration by the end of the week as time ran out for a takeover to be completed before next week's winding-up order. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed that Rio Ferdinand would miss the League Cup final with a back injury following a 3-0 win over West Ham. Craig Kieswetter scored 143 on his England debut in a 112-run victory over a Bangladesh Cricket Board XI in Fatullah.
24 FIFA confirm Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus as England's training base for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Sachin Tendulkar broke the record for the highest individual score in a one-day international innings, passing the mark of 194 not out set by Zimbabwe's Charles Coventry and 194 by Pakistan's Saeed Anwar, with an unbeaten 200 in India's 153-run over South Africa in Gwalior. Chelsea lost 2-1 to Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in Italy.
25 Wayne Bridge, in a statement released by his lawyers, said his position in the England squad was 'untenable and potentially divisive' and he decided to make himself unavailable for selection. Fulham qualified for the last 16 of the Europa League after drawing 1-1 with holders Shakhtar Donetsk in the Ukraine, winning the tie 3-2 on aggregate. Portsmouth began the process of going into administration, which was to be completed in the High Court the following day (February 26).
26 On the day Portsmouth officially went into administration, chief executive Peter Storrie said he would tender his resignation when the club was sold and administrator Andrew Andronikou has confirmed manager Avram Grant had promised to stay on until the end of the season. Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar signed a new one-year contract. Wales were beaten 26-20 by France in their match in Cardiff, the first RBS 6 Nations match to be held on a Friday night on British soil.
Snubbed: Wayne Bridge dodges John Terry's proffered hand at Stamford Bridge
27 Wayne Bridge refused to shake John Terry's hand ahead of Manchester City's match at Chelsea which the visitors won 4-2. Arsenal drew to within three points of Chelsea after a 3-1 win at Stoke but the game was overshadowed by a horrendous leg injury to Aaron Ramsey in a challenge by Ryan Shawcross who was sent off. Shawcross was later called up to the England squad to face Egypt in a friendly. England lost 20-16 to Ireland in their Six Nations clash at Twickenham while Italy beat Scotland 16-12 in Rome.
Read the Mail on Sunday's Chief Sports Writer Patrick Collins on Wayne Bridge28 Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney scored as Manchester United came from behind to beat Aston Villa 2-1 in the Carling Cup final. Nemanja Vidic controversially escaped a red card after conceding the fourth-minute penalty from which James Milner scored Villa's opener. Paul Collingwood steered England to a six-wicket victory with a clinical knock of 75 not out in the first one-day international against Bangladesh in Mirpur. Tamim Iqbal had made 125 in the hosts' total of 228. Melbourne Storm beat Leeds Rhinos 18-10 in the World Club Challenge. Anthony Quinn's late try clinched victory while man of the match Cameron Smith kicked 10 points.
And still they're winning pots: Manchester United star Wayne Rooney with the Carling Cup
Sportsmail's month-by-month review of the year - January
Explore more:People: Alun Wyn Jones, Robbie Keane, Ryan Giggs, Dan Cole, Patrick Vieira, Wayne Bridge, Victor Moses, Jessica Ennis, Jacques Rogge, Michael Owen, Sulaiman Al Fahim, Adam Johnson, Kevin Phillips, Stiliyan Petrov, Abdul Razzaq, James Milner, James Haskell, Dirk Kuyt, Roberto Mancini, Ian Poulter, Danny Cipriani, Peter Jackson, Fabio Capello, Tiger Woods, Gary Cahill, Sven Goran Eriksson, Ryan Shawcross, Paul Collingwood, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Lee Byrne, Jermain Defoe, Declan Kidney, Alex Ferguson, John Terry, Piers Morgan, Andy Murray, Nemanja Vidic, Martin Samuel, Shelley Rudman, Rio Ferdinand, Andy Powell, Paul Casey, Peter Storrie, Edwin Van Der Sar, Jose Mourinho, Tom Huddlestone, Allan Donald, Amy Williams, Wayne Rooney Places: Miami, Leeds, Dubai, Liverpool, Vancouver, Cardiff, Rome, Melbourne, Lisbon, Birmingham, Scotland, Ireland, Montenegro, Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Slovenia, Italy, Northern Ireland, Bulgaria, Bangladesh, South Africa, Russia, France, Republic of Ireland, Wales, Pakistan, Egypt, Lithuania, Spain, Poland, Estonia, United Kingdom, Armenia, India, Switzerland, Andorra Organisations: International Olympic Committee, Football Association, Rugby Football League
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail