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2015 may have been an exciting year in the sporting world, but it was a sad one too.
A number of loved sporting figures passed away this year, from ageing icons such as cricket commentator Richie Benaud and 'the voice of racing' Sir Peter O'Sullevan, to athletes in their prime like Formula One driver Jules Bianchi, who died from injuries after a crash at the Japanese Grand Prix in October 2014.
Some were a sudden shock, like the death of Jonah Lomu, who was just 40, whereas others, like former Match of the Day commentator Jimmy Hill, had come after long illnesses.
Here we look back and remember those sporting figures who passed away in 2015.
Show all 19 1 /19Sporting figures we lost in 2015 Sporting figures we lost in 2015 Richie Benaud The former Australia cricket captain, journalist and broadcaster died in April at the age of 84. After making 63 Test match appearances, the man dubbed the 'Voice of Cricket' went on to become as revered in England, where he worked on television from 1963 to 2005, as he was in his homeland.
2013 Getty Images
Sporting figures we lost in 2015 Jules Bianchi The French Formula One driver died in July from head injuries sustained in a crash at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, since when he had been in a coma. He was 25.
2014 Getty Images
Sporting figures we lost in 2015 Gerry Byrne The Liverpool-born left-back spent his entire career with the Reds, is best remembered for playing through their extra-time win against Leeds in the 1965 FA Cup final after breaking his collarbone, and was also a member of England's World Cup-winning squad in 1966 (pictured, top row, third from left). He died in November aged 77.
Sporting figures we lost in 2015 Bobby Campbell Former Liverpool and Portsmouth player Campbell, who died in November at the age of 78, was Chelsea manager from 1988 to 1991, getting the Blues promoted back to the top flight in 1989 before guiding them to a fifth-placed finish a year later.
Sporting figures we lost in 2015 Brian Close Close became the youngest player ever to win a Test cap for England when he made his debut in 1949 as an 18-year-old. The famously brave batsman went on to lead his country seven times in 22 Tests, and also captained his native county Yorkshire to four county championship titles. He died in September at the age of 84.
Sporting figures we lost in 2015 Pat Eddery The jockey, who died in November aged 63, was crowned champion 11 times, claimed four Prix de l'Arc de Triomphes and won over 4,600 races before his retirement in 2003.
2003 AFP
Sporting figures we lost in 2015 Marton Fulop Goalkeeper Fulop died in November at the age of 32 after a battle with cancer. The Hungary international played in England between 2004 and 2012 and is best remembered for his time with Sunderland. He was also on the books of Tottenham, Ipswich and West Brom and had loan spells with Manchester City, Stoke, Leicester, Chesterfield and Coventry.
Sporting figures we lost in 2015 Sir Jack Hayward The boyhood Wolves fan was the club's owner from 1990 to 2007 and has been credited by current chief executive Jez Moxey with saving the midlands outfit from possible extinction. Hayward died in January aged 91.
2003 Getty Images
Sporting figures we lost in 2015 Jimmy Hill Hill played for Brentford and Fulham before later becoming a manager and chairman at Coventry City and popular Match of the Day presenter. An innovative mind, Hill paved the way for many changes that are now commonplace in modern football. He helped scrap a maximum wage for players in 1961, brought in pre-game entertainment and the first colour programmes, allowed journalists to interview players and more. He also introduced the concept of football pundits and lobbied for three points to be awarded to a winning team. Hill died aged 87 in December afte a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.
2008 Getty Images
Sporting figures we lost in 2015 Danny Jones Keighley Cougars and Wales half-back Jones collapsed after being replaced during his club's match at London Skolars in May and efforts to resuscitate him failed. It was later confirmed he had died of a cardiac arrest triggered by hereditary heart disease. He was 29.
2011 Getty Images
Sporting figures we lost in 2015 Howard Kendall Everton great Kendall won the league title with the Toffees as a player in 1970 as part of the famous 'Holy Trinity' along with Alan Ball and Colin Harvey, then again as the club's manager in 1985 and 1987, as well as securing the FA Cup in 1984 and European Cup-Winners' Cup a year later. He died in October aged 69.
Sporting figures we lost in 2015 Jonah Lomu Former New Zealand wing Lomu, who scored 37 tries in 63 international Test matches and is regarded as one of the All Blacks' greatest ever players, died aged 40 in November. He had suffered from health problems since his retirement in 2002 due to a rare kidney disease.
Sporting figures we lost in 2015 Dave Mackay The former Scotland player won all three Scottish domestic honours with Hearts in the 1950s, was part of Tottenham's 1961 double-winning team and also went on to star for Derby, before guiding them to the First Division title as manager in 1975. He died in March aged 80.
2014 Getty Images
Sporting figures we lost in 2015 Camille Muffat Swimmer Muffat, winner of the 400 metres freestyle gold medal at London 2012 as well as 200m freestyle silver and 4x200m freestyle relay bronze, was one of three French sports stars who died in March when two helicopters collided in Argentina during filming for reality television show 'Dropped'. She was 25.
2012 Getty Images
Sporting figures we lost in 2015 Neville Neville The father of former footballers Gary and Phil Neville and England netball coach Tracey Neville died in August aged 65. He was a former commercial director at Bury, and instrumental in helping lead the club's 'Save Our Shakers' appeal following financial problems in the wake of administration.
Sporting figures we lost in 2015 Sir Peter O'Sullevan The 'Voice of Racing', a commentator for the BBC from 1947 until his retirement in 1997, was awarded a knighthood before his 50th and final Grand National commentary. He died in July aged 97.
2011 Getty Images
Sporting figures we lost in 2015 Arnold Peralta In December the Ministry of Security in Peralta's native Honduras announced the international midfielder, who helped Rangers win the 2013-14 Scottish League One title in an 18-month spell with the Scottish club, had been found dead in the car park of a La Ceiba shopping centre. He was 26.
Sporting figures we lost in 2015 Justin Wilson Sheffield-born IndyCar and former Formula One driver Wilson died in August aged 37 as a result of head injuries he suffered hours earlier during a race in Pennsylvania.
2014 Getty Images
Sporting figures we lost in 2015 Zito The former Santos and Brazil midfielder, who won the World Cup in both 1958 and 1962, died in June at the age of 82.
2012 AFP
Rest in peace.
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