They think it’s all over... it is now!

It seems only fitting that the Bermuda Sun’s sports pages come to an end on the exact anniversary of one of the most famous moments of commentary in football history.

Nearly half a century ago, Kenneth Wolstenholme perfectly described the moment fans started coming on to the pitch seconds before Geoff Hurst completed his hat-trick to wrap-up a 4-2 win for England over West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final.

Unlike at Wembley that day, there is no euphoria here at the final whistle.

There is, however, joy to be had in looking back at the 50 years of the Sun’s sports coverage and the wealth and range of local talent we have featured.

Many journalists before me over the years have relished getting stuck into the island’s small but endlessly rich vein of sports stories detailing achievements and, perhaps most importantly of all, simply people getting involved.  Sports fans love to wallow in the past — but it’s always the future, the thrilling moments that are yet to happen, that gets us  going.

To the future

So, with that in mind,  the Sun signs off on the eve of Cup Match — such a unique and wonderful cricket tradition in Bermuda — and with many of our top athletes still competing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Our best footballer, Nahki Wells, is gearing up for his first full season in the Championship with Huddersfield, while his old club Dandy Town are all set to defend their Premier Division title.

The triathletes that have really come to the fore the past year are also poised for potentially their best years. Flora Duffy is back at the top of her game and the ever-improving Ironman Tyler Butterfield is getting ready to take on the Kona Ironman World Championships once again.

They are just a few standouts. The real stars of the island’s sports scene are all the players, coaches, volunteers and fans who  play such a huge role in all the games, leagues, races and community events that have made working for the  Sun such a joy.

Inside, you’ll still find many of the usual features — NASCAR, World of Sport, At The Helm — plus the latest from the Commonwealth Games, a  look at the island’s unheralded lacrosse team and a fill-in scorecard to take to Cup Match with you.

We hope you enjoy our final edition and wish you a happy and enjoyable future in whatever sport fulfils your passion. 

A heartfelt thank you to all of our readers for their support over the past 50 years.

“Some people are on the pitch... they think it’s all over... it is now.”