MERCURY columnist Pete Hodge, an excellent all-round sportsman in his day, has put together his own Hall of Fame of Bridgwater's sporting heroes over the last 45 years. We publish it here, as a talking point for Christmas.

Rugby - Colin Ball, Laurie Ross, Dave Hodge, the Kent brothers, Mike Berry, kicker Nick Edmonds, clubman Roy Chidgey.

Football - Ray Stranger, Graham "Buster" Tanner, Bill Brown, Steve Hook, Chris Porter, goalkeeper "Kite" Elliott, Bobby Williams, Keith Setter (clubman).

Golf - Philip Pensabene (sponsor), Dave Dixon, Ron Bird, Tony Innalls, pros Ivor Yard and Nigel Wixon.

Cricket - Tom Pearce, Dave Cobb, Ian Falconer, Paul Windsor, "Stumps" Steve Williams, Tom Creedy.

Squash - Kit Barrington, Terry Norman.

Hockey - Lionel Bagg, Gwyn Griffiths.

Runners - John Livingston, George Hudson, Sheila Baker, Martin Baker.

Sprinters - Ron Cox, John Randle, Bob Daly.

Carp-fishing - John Perkins, Martin Coombes.

Match-fishing - Ray Perrott, Joss Saunders, Commercials, Steve Kedge, Steve Jackson.

Skittles - Stuart "Lulu" Clements, Bert Fursland, Tom Creedy, Bill Creedy (for his outstanding work and long nights).

Darts - Ray Watson, Ray Butler, Ray Summers, Dave Baker, Mike Butt, Shaun Elsley, Ray Rich.

Pool - The Rocket and Wizard Oly Bale.

Karate - Arthur Meek, Joe Johnson, Alan Lovell.

Boxing - Jack Mareno (alias Reggie Rex), Kenny Rainer, Johnny Knight, Mel Dando (trainer).

Judo - Pete Davey, Gordi Bolt.

Tennis - Duncan Whitehead, Lee Childs.

Trampolining - Laura Gallagher.

Full-bore shooting - The Luckman brothers, Puriton.

Small-bore shooting - Linsey Coombes, Jack Harding.

Swimming - Neil Barrett.

Motorcycling - The Marks brothers, Bill and Bob.

Grasstrack racing - Solos Lew Coffin, sidecars Mike Davis/Martin "Spike" Heal.

Motorcar hillclimbing - Brian Fisher.

Scrambling - The Winter brothers and the Williams brothers.

Cycling - The Baker brothers from Puriton.

Table tennis - Geoff Porter, John Greensides, Aaron Denman.

Bodybuilding and weight-training - Dave Blackmore (Mr Natural).

Archery - Keith Elsley, Paul Tomkins.

Waterskiing - Steve Cox.

Racehorse trainers - Philip Hobbs, Arthur Barrow, Kevin Bishop.

Point-to-point trainers - Geoff Fear, Julie Pocock, Denis Kenny.

Famous horses - Master Smudge, Kingscliff.

Greyhound racing - Tommy Linden.

Racing pigeons - Mel Fairfax, Steve Willis, the Standerwick brothers, Sonny Bale.

Bowls - Barrie Smith, Mark Horsman, Richard Billington, Neil Kunc, Gordon Richards.

Football referees - Pete Walters, Brian March, Dave Hobbs, Harry Ives, Ricky Hind.

Groundsmen - Golf: Nigel Gange, Robin Williams. Cricket: Stan Innalls. Rugby: Colin Bowerman. Bridgwater Town: My old pal Winston Davey. BCL ground: Tom Bell.

Physios - Morris Parsons, Jim Delaney, Dr Sheppard, Roger Goodchild, Ivor Field.

Carnival - Every club's a winner.

Sports reporters - Dave Diment, Jim Keay.

Sports photographer - Jeff Searle.

Unsung heroes - St John Ambulance, Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, paramedics and doctors.

Sports sponsors - Don Bigwood, Tom Pearce, Notaro Windows, Harris & Harris, Gerber Foods, TMB Patterns, BWW Printers, to name but a few.

All-time Bridgwater sportsman - Tom Pearce.

Pete adds: "I know all these names because they have appeared in the Mercury over the last 45 years and it is my honour to pay tribute to them now."