Sporting heroes
The beautiful game and not only a sport in Britain but a way of life. Players like England ace David Beckham have turned heads all over the world and made teams like Manchester United and Arsenal household names.
Football has seen the arrival of huge numbers of international stars over recent years including France's Tierry Henry (Arsenal), Portugal's Ronaldo (Manchester United), as well as far travelled stars such as swashbuckling Aussie forwards like hot property Harry Kewell (Liverpool) and Mark Viduka (Middlesborough).
This multi-cultural mix and more makes the English league one of the most infamous, dramatic and exciting competitions not just in football but of any sport.
Rugby
Rugby Union is also huge in Britain with well-attended club matches complementing the all-powerful international scene. The recent professionalism of the game has attracted many overseas players to the Zurich Premiership, the top-level English competition.
Andre Vos (Harlequins), Robbie Fleck (Bath) and Thinus Delport (Gloucester) are South African imports excelling in the English game, while in Wales you’ll find Bob Skinstad and Percy Montgomery playing for Gwent Dragons. Aussie Graeme Bond is a regular for Sale. There’s a noble history of Kiwi players in Union too. In the north of England Rugby League is very popular, with dozens of players from New Zealand and Australia.
Cricket
Cricketers have come to play in Britain for many years and there is an illustrious tradition of overseas players shining in the county game and also at a local level with smaller clubs. Shane Warne (Hampshire), Herschelle Gibbs (Durham) and Darren Lehmann (Yorkshire) are three of many well-known names gracing the County Championship. It’s easy to catch players of this calibre in action – games rarely sell out and watching a match is a great way to spend a day off work.