Review of the year - Sportsmail looks back at an action-packed 2011: June

By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER Updated: 16:27 EST, 24 December 2011

As the year draws to a close, Sportsmail takes a look back at 2011 to remind you what happened over the last action-packed 12 months.

June saw the transfer window flung open and a raft of new faces join Premier League club, while Wimbledon also got underway with genuine hopes of home glory. England wicketkeeper Matt Prior also had a smashing time at Lords.

Relive some golden memories or catch up on what you missed with our superb guide.

JUNE

1st Sepp Blatter was re-elected unopposed as FIFA president for a fourth term with 186 votes. An FA bid to force a postponement of the vote had earlier failed by 172 votes to 17.

Sam Allardyce was confirmed as manager of West Ham, replacing the sacked Avram Grant.

Gerard Houllier stepped down as Aston Villa manager following his health problems.

2nd Mark Hughes quit as Fulham manager.

Defending champion Francesca Schiavone and China's Li Na won through to the women's final of the French Open.

Salford appointed Australian Matt Parish as head coach.

One horse race: Sepp Blatter was controversially re-elected to the FIFA presidency

3rd Andy Murray lost in straight sets to Spain's Rafael Nadal in the French Open semi-finals.

Tottenham agreed a deal to sign American goalkeeper Brad Friedel on a free transfer from Aston Villa.

Dancing Rain, trained by William Haggas and ridden by Johnny Murtagh, won the Investec Oaks at Epsom.

4th England were disappointing in a 2-2 Euro 2012 qualifying draw with Switzerland at Wembley, needing to come back from 2-0 down after some defensive howlers.

Isa Nacewa scored a stunning last-gasp try as the Barbarians topped Wales 31-28 to spoil Gavin Henson's international return.

Li Na became the first Chinese player to win a Gram Slam singles title, beating defending champion Francesca Schiavone 6-4 7-6 (7-0) in the French Open final.

Spain reigns... in France: Rafael Nadal clinched the French Open title

5th Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer 7-5 7-6 (7/3) 5-7 6-1 to win the French Open men's singles title.

England Under-21s beat Norway 2-0 in their final warm-up game before the European Championship.

Sri Lanka reached 372 for three by the end of a rain-hit day three of the second Test at Lord's, with Tillakaratne Dilshan scoring 193, in response to England's 486 all out.

6th Steve Finn became the youngest England bowler to 50 wickets as Sri Lanka were all out for 479 at Lord's. At the close of play England were 149 for two with Alistair Cook unbeaten on 61.

Norwich signed Wales striker Steve Morison from Millwall on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Gateshead was chosen to host the 2013 European Athletics Team Championships.

7th England were held to a draw in the second Test as Sri Lanka batted out to reach 127 for three on the final day at Lord's. The action was overshadowed by an incident which saw England wicketkeeper Matt Prior inadvertently break a window in the dressing room after his dismissal.

Tiger Woods confirmed on his official website that he had withdrawn from the US Open due to knee and Achilles injuries.

Floyd Mayweather announced he would end his latest spell in retirement by challenging Victor Ortiz for the WBC welterweight title on September 17.

8th Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs was withdrawn from the England squad for the Under-21 European Championships due to an ankle injury.

The International Cricket Council confirmed they were investigating reports that banned Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Amir had been playing for a village team in Surrey.

England wicketkeeper Matt Prior was reprimanded by the International Cricket Council after smashing a window in the dressing room at Lord's during the second Test against Sri Lanka.

9th Liverpool completed the signing of midfielder Jordan Henderson from Sunderland on a long-term deal.

Sunderland signed Egypt international Ahmed Elmohamady on a permanent deal.

Bahrain International Circuit chairman Zayed R Alzayani admitted the Gulf country's hopes of hosting their grand prix this year were over amid concerns from the Formula One teams.

Oh Lordy: England's Matt Prior broke the window upon his return to the room after being dismissed

10th John Steele left his post as chief executive of the Rugby Football Union.

Newcastle signed France midfielder Yohan Cabaye from Lille on a five-year deal.

England were beaten 16-12 in the first Origin clash against the Exiles in Leeds.

11th Andy Murray was impressive in beating Andy Roddick 6-3 6-1 in the semi-final at Queen's Club.

Allan McNish walked away from a huge crash in his Audi at the Le Mans 24-hour race.

Sebastian Vettel continued his dominance in Formula One by securing pole position for the Canadian Grand Prix.

12th Jenson Button claimed victory at a rain-soaked Canadian Grand Prix when he passed Sebastian Vettel on the final lap.

Alex McLeish resigned as manager of Birmingham.

England Under-21s drew their European Championship opener against Spain 1-1 in Herning.

King of Queens: Andy Murray

13th Andy Murray lifted the title at Queen's Club with a three-set win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Manchester United confirmed they had signed Blackburn defender Phil Jones on a five-year contract.

Steve McClaren returned to football with Championship side Nottingham Forest.

14th League Managers Association chief executive Richard Bevan said Alex McLeish resigned as Birmingham manager because his position had been made untenable by the club's board. Aston Villa confirmed they were to interview the Scot 'imminently' over their managerial vacancy.

Birmingham announced their intention to lodge a complaint against Villa over their 'tapping up' of McLeish.

Scottish Rugby Union chief executive Gordon McKie left his post with immediate effect.

15th Women's second seed Kim Clijsters withdrew from Wimbledon due to a foot injury, while Laura Robson announced she had parted ways with coach Patrick Mouratoglou.

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner held further talks with Alex McLeish over the vacant managerial position.

England Under-21s drew 0-0 with Ukraine to leave themselves needing to beat the Czech Republic in their final Group B game to avoid an early exit from the European Under-21 Championships in Denmark.

16th West Ham signed Kevin Nolan from Newcastle for an undisclosed fee, while Manchester United forward Bebe joined Besiktas on a season-long loan.

UEFA awarded the 2013 Champions League final to Wembley, meaning it will host an unprecedented two finals in the space of three years after the success of the 2011 final between Barcelona and Manchester United.

James Anderson and Chris Tremlett took two wickets apiece on their returns to the England side as Sri Lanka ended a rainy first day of the third npower Test at the Rose Bowl on 81 for four.

17th Alex McLeish was confirmed as the new Aston Villa manager.

Rory McIlroy led at the halfway stage of the US Open on 11 under.

The Premier League fixtures were released with Manchester City drawn away after each of their Champions League group games, by contrast Manchester United were drawn at home after each of the midweek adventures.

Glory Rory: McIlroy surged to the title at the US Open Championship

18th Rory McIlroy extended his lead at the US Open to eight strokes with a record 54-hole total of 14-under 199.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy insisted the club would not sell midfielder Luka Modric 'at any price, to Chelsea Football Club or any other club' amid intense speculation he was to move to Stamford Bridge.

Newcastle confirmed Rennes midfielder Sylvain Marveaux would be joining the club on July 1.

19th Rory McIlroy stormed to victory at the US Open, winning by eight strokes.

England were knocked out of the European Under-21 Championship after losing 2-1 to the Czech Republic in Viborg.

Ian Bell scored an unbeaten century before Sri Lanka closed day four of the third Test at the Rose Bowl on 112 for three, still 71 shy of making England bat again.

20th Andy Murray defeated Daniel Gimeno-Traver 4-6 6-3 6-0 6-0 on the opening day of Wimbledon. Elsewhere, there were wins for reigning men's champion Rafael Nadal and last year's runner-up Tomas Berdych. In the women's draw, there were wins for Venus Williams, Francesca Schiavone, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Vera Zvonereva.

England drew with Sri Lanka on the final day of a rain-affected third Test although the result was enough for Andrew Strauss' men to seal a 1-0 series triumph.

Jack Warner, the longest-serving member of FIFA's executive committee and the man at the centre of the organisation's bribery scandal, resigned from all his positions in international football.

Not the lad: Under-fire FIFA executive Jack Warner resigned from all his positions in football

21st Four-time champion Serena Williams, in only her second tournament since a serious foot injury and blood clots on her lungs, beat world No 61 Aravane Rezai 6-3 3-6 6-1 at Wimbledon. World No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, Li Na and Maria Sharapova also progressed as did Britons Anne Keothavong and Elena Baltacha. There were also wins for Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

Barclays Premier League side Chelsea confirmed they intended to install Andre Villas-Boas as their new manager after the former Porto boss resigned. The compensation payment, of 15million euros, was met leaving just personal terms to be agreed.

The leaders of Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland football reacted with outrage at an 'historic' announcement by the British Olympic Association that players from all home nations would be eligible for selection for Team GB at the 2012 Games.

22nd A FIFA's ethics committee report seen by Press Association Sport said there was 'comprehensive, convincing and overwhelming' evidence FIFA member Mohamed Bin Hammam tried to bribe officials during his presidential campaign and Jack Warner was 'an accessory to corruption'.

New kid on the block: Andre Villas-Boas made a sensational return to Chelsea

Chelsea confirmed the appointment of former Porto coach Andre Villas-Boas as their new manager on a three-year contract.

World No 4 Andy Murray made the third round at Wimbledon with a 6-3 6-3 7-5 victory over Tobias Kamke. There were also wins for Rafael Nadal and 10th seed Mardy Fish. Five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams overcame Kimiko Date-Krumm 6-7 (6/8) 6-3 8-6. Laura Robson was the sole British woman to progress with Heather Watson and Anne Keothavong both beaten.

23rd Ashley Young joined Manchester United on a five-year deal from Aston Villa.

Bids by Tottenham and Leyton Orient for a judicial review to block West Ham's move to the Olympic Stadium were rejected by a High Court judge.

Wild card Sabine Lisicki saved two match points on her way to a 3-6 6-4 8-6 victory over French Open champion Li Na in a second-round classic on Centre Court at Wimbledon.

24th Ipswich announced on their official website that they had reported Swansea to the Premier League. They claimed that the Welsh side had not paid invoices relating to Tamas Priskin's loan to Swansea last season.

Andy Murray won 6-4 4-6 6-1 7-6 (7/4) against Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia in the third round at Wimbledon.

Sri Lanka opener Upul Tharanga was suspended from all cricket for three months, backdated to May 9, after being found guilty of committing an anti-doping rule violation, the International Cricket Council announced.

25th Sri Lanka coasted to a nine-wicket victory over England in the Twenty20 international in Bristol. It was Stuart Broad's first game as captain.

Formula One world championship leader Sebastian Vettel qualified in pole for the European Grand Prix in Valencia ahead of Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber and McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton.

Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Caroline Wozniacki and Serena Williams all progressed at Wimbledon. However, fifth seed Robin Soderling was beaten in straight sets by 18-year-old Bernard Tomic.

26th Sebastian Vettel won the European Grand Prix in Valencia to strengthen his stranglehold on the Formula One world championship.

Pablo Larrazabal beat fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia at the fifth play-off hole to capture his second European Tour title in Munich.

Kevin O'Brien and Hamish Marshall both hit centuries as Gloucestershire made a record-breaking 254 for three in their FriendsLife t20 victory over Middlesex.

27th All of the top four men's seeds, including Andy Murray who beat Richard Gasquet in straight sets, progressed to the Wimbledon quarter-finals, but in the women's draw Venus and Serena Williams were knocked out, as was top seed Caroline Wozniacki.

The Welsh Rugby Union decided to end the indefinite suspension imposed on scrum-half Mike Phillips following an incident in Cardiff city centre.

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David De Gea was photographed apparently on his way into a medical with Manchester United.

Familiar story: Sebastian Vettel led from pole all the way to the flag in Valencia

28th The International Cricket Council executive board confirmed they had reversed their previous decision and approved a 14-team format for the World Cup 2015 to be held in Australia and New Zealand.

Defending champion Rafael Nadal announced he would be fit to play Mardy Fish in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon on June 29 after undergoing an MRI scan on his left foot.

England beat Sri Lanka by 110 runs in the first one-day international at The Oval - Alastair Cook's first as ODI captain.

29th Jo-Wilfried Tsonga produced a big upset at Wimbledon as the Frenchman beat third seed Roger Federer 3-6 6-7 (3/7) 6-4 6-4 6-4 in the quarter-finals.

Elsewhere, Andy Murray defeated Feliciano Lopez in straight sets to reach the last four, while Novak Djokovic and reigning champion Rafael Nadal also progressed.

Manchester United reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid for the transfer of goalkeeper David De Gea on a five-year deal.

New Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas confirmed that former West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo would be assistant first-team coach at Stamford Bridge.

30th Czech eighth seed Petra Kvitova and Russian fifth seed Maria Sharapova advanced to the Wimbledon women's singles final. Kvitova beat Belarusian fourth seed Victoria Azarenka 6-1 3-6 6-2 while Sharapova overcame unseeded German Sabine Lisicki 6-4 6-3 in the semi-finals.

Sunderland confirmed the signings of South Korea striker Ji Dong-won from Chunnam Dragons and midfielder Craig Gardner from Birmingham.
Wasps appointed Dai Young as their new director of rugby on a four-year contract.