Andy Murray has done a lot of winning in his career but there has always been something missing — a team to share it with.

Murray has frequently cited his Olympic gold medal won on the lawns of Wimbledon as his favourite achievement ahead of his grand slam titles precisely because the victory was for a greater cause than himself.

But Murray was still alone on the court when he beat Roger Federer and stood on top of the podium by himself.

It would be tempting to think Murray deserved a podium all of his own again after his stunning displays led Great Britain to the most unlikely of Davis Cup triumphs in Belgium last month.

But the fact Murray had five team-mates and captain Leon Smith standing alongside him in Ghent meant the world to the man so used to carrying British tennis on his shoulders.

Whether the Davis Cup deserves to be seen on a par with his other biggest triumphs is debatable.

The 28-year-old did not have to face another top-10 player, but opponents like John Isner, Gilles Simon, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Bernard Tomic and David Goffin were certainly no pushovers, particularly given Murray’s unique position.

Aside from James Ward’s brilliant win over Isner, Murray was involved in all of Britain’s winning rubbers during their victories against the United States, France, Australia and Belgium.

He won eight singles matches and three doubles rubbers alongside brother Jamie - a record unmatched since the current Davis Cup format was introduced more than 30 years ago.

Murray knew Britain’s chances depended on him alone, and he rose to the challenge impeccably.

The crunch moment came against Simon in the quarter-final versus France. A week after Wimbledon, Murray was drained physically and emotionally, and he was in big trouble at a set and 4-1 down in the second-set tie-break.

But he simply refused to be beaten and collapsed into his chair in tears when victory was finally achieved.

There were tears again in Ghent after his sublime winning lob had cleared Goffin, but this was the kind of euphoric emotional experience Murray found was missing following his US Open and Wimbledon successes.

He said: “I just know how it felt after winning. It was a nicer feeling than after Wimbledon. It might sound wrong, but I didn’t really enjoy that. I was so relieved to have done it. I enjoyed this so much more.

“It wasn’t so much relief that you feel — it was more pride and just being around all the guys was really nice. Everyone’s put so much effort and work into it, and to see how much it means to everyone and not just yourself makes it feel a bit better.

“We should enjoy it. It’s been 79 years since this happened in Great Britain. We don’t know the next time it will come. This will be one of the highlights of all our careers, no matter what anyone goes on to achieve. We should realise how special it was.”

Even without his Davis Cup exploits, 2015 would have been an excellent year for Murray — arguably the best of his career.

He will finish it ranked number two for the first time after reaching his eighth grand slam final at the Australian Open and achieving the kind of the consistency he has long been striving for, as well as a second Sports Personality of the Year award.

The only real black mark was one-sided records against Novak Djokovic and Federer — something he will be hoping to put right in 2016.

Murray, who also picked up the Team of the Year award along with his Davis Cup team-mates, had started a narrow favourite to win the award over Ennis-Hill.

But a sustained campaign by the rugby league community paid off as Sinfield — the first nominee from his sport — pipped his fellow Yorkshire athlete into second place.

Accepting the Team award, Great Britain Davis Cup captain Leon Smith said: “It is hugely humbling to receive this award, it is obviously very prestigious.

“It’s been 79 years since we managed to win the Davis Cup and let’s hope it doesn’t take another 79.

“I hope that what this has achieved for tennis is that we get a really lasting and meaningful legacy from this.”

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill was a popular winner of the Coach of the Year award after leading his nation to the Euro 2016 finals.

O’Neill said: “Two years ago we were not in a great place and it would have been easier for me to walk away and for the association to go with someone else, but we stuck together and we are where we are today.”

Jockey AP McCoy received the Lifetime Achievement Award after bringing his illustrious career to a close in April.

McCoy — who won the main Sports Personality prize in 2010 — retired after riding 4,357 winners and being crowned Champion Jockey 20 consecutive times.

After receiving the award from fellow Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, McCoy said: “Could I just say what an honour and a privilege it is to receive such a prestigious award, especially here in Belfast.

“Being from Northern Ireland, a place that has produced so many talented and successful sports people.. it makes tonight even more special.

“Racing is a wonderful sport. I was lucky to live my life as a jockey through it and for that I will be for ever grateful.”

Former All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter paid an emotional tribute to Jonah Lomu after picking up the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year award.

The 33-year-old Carter ended his international career by leading New Zealand to a World Cup triumph in England in the summer.

But the victory was overshadowed by the death of Lomu — who had won the same award in 1995 — in November.

Carter said: “He is an absolute legend of the sport and it was a shock to the people who knew him and the sporting community.

“He changed the sport forever. I was lucky enough to get to know him — he was such a caring and thoughtful guy and he will be missed by everyone.”

Ellie Downie became the second consecutive gymnast to carry off the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award.

Downie became the first British female gymnast to win a major all-around medal when she won bronze at the European Championships.

And she followed that up by clinching team gold at the World Championships in Glasgow alongside elder sister Becky, Fragapane, Ruby Harrold and Amy Tinkler.

Eight-year-old Bailey Matthews, who has cerebral palsy, was the recipient of the Helen Rollason Award after completing a junior triathlon in June, while Damian Lindsay won the BBC Sport Unsung Hero award for his football and community work in Belfast.

List of winners: Sports Personality: 1. Andy Murray, 2 Kevin Sinfield, 3. Jessica Ennis-Hill; Coach of the Year: Michael O’Neill; Team of the Year: Great Britain Davis Cup; Overseas Personality: Dan Carter; Young Personality; Ellie Downie; Helen Rollason Award: Bailey Matthews; Lifetime achievement: AP McCoy.