THE place to be last Sunday for any sports fan was Centre Court at Wimbledon as Andy Murray ended 77 years of hurt and recorded an historic British victory in the men’s singles – and that’s exactly where Basingstoke college teacher Sarah Goldson was.

The Queen Mary’s College teacher, pictured right, actually got to go on the court at the end of the game before Murray, who beat world number one Novak Djokovic in straight sets, collected the coveted trophy.

Goldson was part of the guard of honour at the end of the match as part of her job as Wimbledon ball boy and ball girl manager.

This is her second year in charge after taking over from Anne Rundle, who had held the post for 25 years, and she was amazed by the atmosphere this year compared to last year, when Murray lost to Roger Federer.

Goldson, the assistant head of PE at QMC, where she has taught for the past 10 years, said: “It was just amazing to get on Centre Court after such an historic moment.

“I did not see much of the game as we were collecting the ball boys and ball girls to get them ready to form the guard of honour.

“We were behind the court where the players come out, and the noise was unbelievable every time Andy Murray won a point.”

She said: “I know some of the ball boys and ball girls were over the moon at being that close to Andy Murray as he was interviewed by Sue Barker after the match.

“It was lot more emotional last year when Murray lost, and being that close, you really feel it.

“Being my second year, I was able to enjoy being there a lot more as I knew what to expect, so I was able to take it all in.”

During the day, Goldson, who lives in Farnham, was able to feel the atmosphere building as fans poured into SW19 to watch the game.

She watched a bit of the final early on to make sure her ball boys and ball girls were working well.

She said: “Compared to last year, when I think the crowd was split 50/50 between Murray and Federer, this time all the support from the crowds at Wimbledon was for Murray, so it was certainly a lot louder.

“I think you sensed there was a lot of expectation that this was going to be Murray’s time to win, maybe because of his victories in the Olympics and US Open.”

After the match, there was a real buzz around the All England Club grounds.

Goldson said: “It was so packed for when Andy came out on the balcony to show off the trophy, and when I left after 9pm, there were still people sitting around and soaking up the incredible atmosphere.”

Goldson, coach of the highly successful tennis teams at QMC, is now looking forward to being back at Wimbledon next year.

She will be watching Murray’s first match, as he starts the defence of his crown on Centre Court, to make sure the ball boys and ball girls are working well.