Whether it’s true or not it can’t be denied that Mansfield and the surrounding area has produced some brilliant sports stars.
Our area can boast a 1966 World Cup winner, a double Olympic gold medalist, an FA Cup winner and perhaps the most infamous Ashes cricketer of all time.
And of course there’s two other very notable swimmers who have done themselves and the area more than proud.
Let us know who your favourite local sports star is and why via our social media channels.
You can keep up with the latest sports news across the area, here.
. Ray Wilson
Shirebrook's Ray Wilson was one of the lowest profile members of England's 1966 World Cup winning team. The left-back, who was capped for his country 63 times, played in every England game in the 1966 finals. Photo: Getty Images
. Harold Larwood
Nuncargate-born Harold Larwood was a key man of England's infamous 'bodyline' Ashes tour in Australia in 1932/33. The furore created by the following diplomatic incidents brought about a premature and acrimonious end to his international career. Photo: Getty Images
. Rebecca Adlington
Rebecca Adlington wrote herself into the world's sporting history when she won the 800m freestyle final at the 2008 Beijing Olmpics in a new world record time of 8:16:22. She also won the 400m freestyle gold and became the first woman to win swimming gold for Great Britain since Anita Lonsbrough in 1960. Photo: Getty Images
. Oliver Hynd
Kirkby's Ollie Hyn and is a multiple medal winner having shone on the big stages. He won the gold medal in the 400 m freestyle S8, beating the world record in the final, and the 200m individual medley SM8, also in a world record, during the 2016 Rio Paralympics. Photo: Getty Images
. Charlotte Henshaw
Mansfield's Charlotte Henshaw won a silver medal at the London Paralympic games, followed by a bronze in Rio de Janeiro. But she finally bagged a gold at Tokyo 2020 after an amazing change to paracanoeing. Photo: Getty Images
![Hynd achieved significant success in the 400m Freestyle, winning gold at the 2008 Summer Paralympics,[2] the 2009 and 2011 IPC European Championships, and the 2009 IPC World Championships](https://www.chad.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjMwYjNlZDRmLWIxMTQtNDQ5Zi04ODZlLTFlMWY2N2EzYjdiNjpmMmQwNDhhZi05ODY4LTQyNWYtYjM5OC03OWZiOWFjYjZhNjQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=800)
. Sam Hynd
Hynd achieved significant success in the 400m Freestyle, winning gold at the 2008 Summer Paralympics,[2] the 2009 and 2011 IPC European Championships, and the 2009 IPC World Championships Photo: Mike Ehrmann
1. Ray Wilson
Shirebrook's Ray Wilson was one of the lowest profile members of England's 1966 World Cup winning team. The left-back, who was capped for his country 63 times, played in every England game in the 1966 finals. Photo: Getty Images
2. Harold Larwood
Nuncargate-born Harold Larwood was a key man of England's infamous 'bodyline' Ashes tour in Australia in 1932/33. The furore created by the following diplomatic incidents brought about a premature and acrimonious end to his international career. Photo: Getty Images
3. Rebecca Adlington
Rebecca Adlington wrote herself into the world's sporting history when she won the 800m freestyle final at the 2008 Beijing Olmpics in a new world record time of 8:16:22. She also won the 400m freestyle gold and became the first woman to win swimming gold for Great Britain since Anita Lonsbrough in 1960. Photo: Getty Images
4. Oliver Hynd
Kirkby's Ollie Hyn and is a multiple medal winner having shone on the big stages. He won the gold medal in the 400 m freestyle S8, beating the world record in the final, and the 200m individual medley SM8, also in a world record, during the 2016 Rio Paralympics. Photo: Getty Images