BEN Goodall is aiming to follow in some famous footsteps at the 2019 Oxfordshire Sports Awards tonight.

The tumbler is on the three-strong sportsman of the year shortlist alongside Oxford City Stars stalwart Darren Elliott and taekwondo ace Chris Dudman.

Goodall, from Harwell, makes the shortlist after a fantastic year that has seen him land the British qualifiers, English title and British Championships.

Read also: OXFORDSHIRE SPORTS AWARDS: The full shortlists

Olympic gold-medal winners are among the previous nominees for the main prizes and Goodall admitted he felt privileged to be in that company.

He said: “It’s come as a real surprise (to be nominated), given Olympians have been on the shortlist before.

“You can win something within your own sport, but to be put up against all the different athletes in their respective sports is a real honour.”

Goodall added: “It’ll round off the year rather spectacularly.”

Read also: OXFORDSHIRE SPORTS AWARDS: Meet the women vying for the top prize

Elliott’s place in the final three comes after he ended a career spanning almost 30 years at Stars.

The club legend remains involved at Oxpens as assistant to head coach Simon Anderson, while he also coaches youngsters in the club’s youth set-up.

As someone who grew up around Oxfordshire sport, Elliott revealed being short–listed feels very special.

Read also: OXFORDSHIRE SPORTS AWARDS: Who is up for junior sportsman of the year?

He said: “I’d love to win, it would be a massive achievement to cap off my retirement.

“I can remember watching the Stars as a kid and being involved for 30 years is massive.

“Ice hockey is a minority sport in this country, but being one of the top sports teams in Oxford is a huge honour.

“To be part of a big sporting community is amazing.”

Read also: OXFORDSHIRE SPORTS AWARDS: Who could win the junior sportswoman title?

Dudman has enjoyed a medal-laden year, taking home the British and Scottish Open titles and reaching the quarter-finals of the European and World Championships.

It has been quite a journey for the 19-year-old, who trains in Botley, and the teenager revealed medals were far from his mind when he first tried martial arts.

He said: “I started because I was getting bullied at school when I was five.

“My parents sent me along to a class and I dealt with the bullies from there.

“I really enjoyed it and carried on.”

He added: “It has all influenced me and shaped me into the person I am today.”