Stoke fans celebrate their promotion to the Premier League. Photograph: Mark Thompson/Getty Images.

It is 35 years since a movement called pub rock began to send waves lapping around the feet of the established giants of popular music. In places with names like the Hope and Anchor and the Greyhound, something stirred. Bands called Bees Make Honey and Dr Feelgood were going back to the basics of rock and roll, and by re-establishing contact with the old verities they attracted an audience repelled by the smugness and self-indulgence of those who employed roadies to tune their guitars while they were busy backstage snorting cocaine off groupies’ thighs.

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Vodafone’s player of the year, Ryan Sidebottom. Photograph: Dean Treml/AFP

When Ryan Sidebottom arrived at Lord’s yesterday and saw his name on the giant screen, announcing that he was Vodafone’s player of the year for 2007-8, it represented journeyman’s end.

“I didn’t know anything about it before then,” he said. ” As I was coming in today it was on the screen and one of the lads said, “Oh look, your name’s up there.”

Sidebottom was presented with his award at a dinner at Lord’s last night. “It’s a massive thing but it’s not just down to me. The other 10 guys have made me feel very welcome as a team and this award goes out to all the players.”

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