How I long for a proper Christmas
Hi hope you are all well.
I am lucky enough to be in a profession whereby I can honestly say there are not many aspects of the job that I do not enjoy. However, I have to confess that one of the things that I am looking forward to when I hang up my boots is a "proper" family Christmas.
Don't get me wrong, I am fully aware that the Christmas schedule is a key one in the football calendar and ultimately helps to pay for the presents that are being opened by the kids, so I am not looking for pity or being ungrateful.
However I can't help but fire some envious glances at other members of the family who are tucking into their Christmas dinner while I am picking at my pasta dish!
It's fair to say that a typical Christmas for a footballer is quite different from that experienced by people in most other walks of life. When I discussed this recently with some of the other Notts County players, one or two of them told me that they had been training at their clubs on every Christmas Day!
My experiences have been more of a mixed bag. Some years I have been in on Christmas Day, and others I have just been given a heart rate monitor and told to go for a run. Thank goodness for the invention of the heart rate monitor! Saying that you do get some very strange looks from people on a Christmas Day walk. You instantly know that they are thinking: "Who is this crazy bloke going for a run on Christmas Day?"
On one particular Christmas Day during my time at Coventry City, we had to train at about four in the afternoon and then travel to London in preparation for a Boxing Day game at West Ham. That in itself was bad enough but on arrival at the hotel, it transpired that I was in a room on my own, meaning that I did not even have a room-mate with whom I could whinge about the situation!
Players are not the only ones who like the odd moan about the busy Christmas schedule. Managers often complain about playing too many games in such a short space of time and from time to time there is talk of a mid-season break. As supporters it would be interesting to get your views on the subject.
One player who struck me as being more determined than most not to lose the sense of Christmas spirit was Michael Proctor, a former team-mate of mine at Hartlepool. As a Rotherham player living in Sunderland, he was none too pleased about having to make the journey for a Christmas Day training session at the Yorkshire club. However, he deserved full marks for making the most of it - he drove to Rotherham with Christmas songs blaring out from his CD player and wearing a Christmas hat from a cracker.
The Christmas Day schedule in professional football is one that I have been part of for as long as I can remember. My dad was in training every Christmas Day and obviously as a little kid, I was gutted. Now I am the one who is a father and it is not a nice feeling to know that my little lad will be feeling the same this Christmas. 
Will power is the key for any footballer over the festive period. There is no end of sweet or biscuit selection boxes which can tempt you, and from a personal point of view, I have got immense respect for anyone who can turn down a Ferrero Rocher! Seriously though, as a player you have to try to prepare properly because you are playing a lot of games over a short period of time and a full Christmas dinner the night before a game is not really the way to go about things.
On a completely different subject, I have to make a public apology to our goalkeeper, Kevin Pilkington - a player who recently discovered, to his cost, how absent minded I can be in the mornings.
In ensuring that we are not late for training, the Notts County lads who have to travel the longest distances tend to arrive at the ground early. On the premise that we could all do with a caffeine boost before training, we have organised a tea-making rota.
It was my turn the other day and I thought things were going great, but that was before Kevin, the first to take a sip, suddenly spits his tea out. It was difficult to understand what he was saying in the tirade that followed but I did get the message eventually, I had put salt in the bowl rather than sugar!
I am not a practical joker so I can honestly say it was a genuine error. But I do appreciate that I did not do much to dispel the myth that all footballers are stupid!
Hello, I'm Gavin Strachan. I describe myself as a "journeyman" player after 13 years in the game as a professional. I'm currently between clubs, having been released by Notts County. I'm also studying journalism and the aim of my blog is to provide an insight into the life of a footballer.
Here are some 
© MMX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~29~RS~)
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pompeyblue, i am sure that gavs first couple of paragraphs are meant to address this. you have got an inferiority complex by the sound of it.
great blog gav, as a lincoln fan i would be more than happy if your gaffer lets you tuck into an early christmas dinner on friday! what do you think about the game without two of your ex-Imps, Jamie Forrester and Butch?
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Oh for God's sake calm down PompeyblueMatt. He's only writing a lighthearted piece about a footballer's Christmas. "You disgust me" indeed - talk about an over the top reaction!!
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PompeyblueMatt - here you are whinging about footballers from the comfort of your home, whilst poor soldiers are getting shot and blown up in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Who says football fans aren't selfish prima donnas?
You disgust me.
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PompeyblueMatt:
What a stupid post. He acknowledges early on that he is lucky to lead the life that he does. Can't you read you fool?
And as for, 'Blown up in your name'? What is that all about? No-one is being blown up in MY name! How do you know his politics? Get a grip; THEE most ridiculous post ever.
YOU disgust me with your evident lack of intellect.
As for the blog, really enjoyed it Gavin, i am glad to hear that footballers don't have it all their own way! Makes me (slightly) less jealous!
Merry Christmas.
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Isn't joining the Forces voluntary? I believe it is, so what on earth has PompeyblueMatt's comment got to do with a light-hearted piece about a footballer's Christmas.
What a very strange person.
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PompeyblueMatt...it ashames me that you display yourself as a pompey fan.
Thins blog is intended to give us an insight into the lower league footballer. Obviously, christmas is a strange time of year for a footballer and this blog is merely giving us an insight of that. A footballers christmas will obviously differ from we take for granted as christmas...i'm certain gavin is not complaining about this and i'm even more certain that he feels privilaged to be doing what he does for a living.
Thanks again gavin for another insightful blog.
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PompeyblueMatt
If you had the intelligence to actually read the article properly rather than skim you would realise gav said he knows he is lucky and then makes the rest of the article quite a light hearted story about what footballers go through at christmas. Equally just beacause they do get paid well for doing something they enjoy it doesn't mean it makes any easier to not spend christmas with there loved ones.
If you are going to make a comment a least let it be a constuctive one.
You disgust me.
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moving on from the daft post from pompeyblue, how about Gav's comments on a mid-season break?
I thought a system that could work would be to keep the festive schedule as it is as it's a nice tradition, but have a two week break in january after the new years day fixtures before coming back to an FA cup 3rd round tie?
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@PompeyblueMatt
Of course there's always someone in a worse situation than you. If everyone thought as you do no-one would ever have anything to "whinge" about.
Flame-bait!
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I tell ya, its a miserable cold morning here in Bristol, only been at work for about 45 mins, and already my mood is slightly lifted thanks to reading blogs from yourself and Mr Robson. Another very good blog Gavin, and im glad this has become a regular thing from you.
Personaly though, and i know its selfish, but i would not want to lose the boxing day fixtures. I know it involves a lot of sacrifices from the players, but i suppose its what we have come to expect as fans. Though i wouldnt mind a winter break at some point, maybe just after the new year.
Anyway Gavin good blog mate keep up the good work
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Yet another great blog, even though some people obviously take life far too seriously!!
Certainly like the salt in the tea idea, may give it a go tomorrow at work.
Keep up the great blogs.
Merry Xmas.
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PompeyblueMatt's
Last I herd conscription was not how we recruit these days
No ones forcing people to fight in Iraq, they join up.
Never herd anyone so over the top.
Great article Gavin, Hope you dad can keep Celtic going over Christmas!!
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PompeyBlue Matt
whilst I think we all agree that footballers are pampered (complaining about playing 60 games a season - (ahhh poor blokes having to work 90 hours a year), your post is ridiculous.
Gavin was making a light-hearted comment about Christmas and being a footballer.
you my friend are quite ridiculous and deserve all the stick you will get for that comment.
Here endeth the sermon
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hahahaha Pompeybluematt - i have to admit like lots of others i almost took your bait and responded to possibly the stupidest comment i have ever seen posted... very funny mate....you are either a comedian or a joke...either way the world is laughing at you!
Gav - i liked this blog mate... it must be hard for you to leave your lad on xmas day... but needs must mate...
Also Gav- have you ever played any boxing day games and smelt booze on any opposition players??? (no names needed unless you want to!)
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Personally, I think there's too much football played anyway. It seems every week there's 'the biggest game of the season' or a 'must win game' in the middle of October. I like the Christmas games, but surely we can have them on the 28th so the footballers don't have to do the equivalent of a stock take or tidy of the stationery cupboards on the 25th.
Pay is relative, I don't believe that has anything to do with it. Even if you love your job, and I guess most players do, seeing your kids face all sad on Christmas day as you go off to talk 4-4-2 (again) must be really quite sad.
Personally, having 2 children (one of which is now old enough to start shouting at the TV screen every time particular toys come on asking for it for Christmas if he's good....) there is no way I’d work on Christmas day. So, I can certainly sympathise.
Interesting blog (again) - but at least you knew where the spoons were....
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Loving the blog Gavin. Working for a bank in the middle of the worst credit crunch has left me with more time on my hands that a professional footballer (I may take up golf) hence I look forward to the weekly update!
Christmas break eh? I'm unsure about this, only for the fact that it really would break with tradition certainly for the fans. I love the Boxing Day games, normally more family members travel to the games giving everyone a cracking day out of the house and able to shout and sing (the day before we all have to behave in front of parents, grandparents, in-laws etc)
But by having a Xmas break could this in fact help the national teams at summer competition
??
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Tranmere83 - I dont think you could have a workable mid season break in this country at the moment.
For example this January Man United and Spurs play Sat/Weds every week in 3 competitions. Thats without any FA Cup replays being thrown in. How would you re-schedule all those fixtures?
The season would need to start earlier or finish later which could only happen every other year otherwise you would get the England manager complaining that he cant prepare his team before the Euros/WC.
I think the Carling Cup should be restructured, maybe excusing teams completely that are involved in European competition or allowing them to compete only if they want to?
As for PompeyBlueMatt, i was about to give you both barrels but plenty have got in before me but i do have to say i get tired of the needless comparisons to the armed forces fighting overseas. They shouldnt be out there anyway but thats another argument for another day!
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pompeypete... totally agreed... he is a disgrace to pompey fans.
and Gavin.. good blog again mate, I always read it, along with Tim Vickery's and Robbo's, keep it up. When you retire from football, there would probably be a career for you in journalism or something. Happy Christmas everyone.
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Hi great article, the end bit about salt in the coffee gave me an idea for a prank on my mom this christmas. haha
Also is commenter #5 (At 08:40am on 16 Dec 2008, DavidAttenborough wrote) actually David Attenborough !!?!?!?
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Hi Gavin, your blog makes excellent reading as always. On the subject of Christmas, could you and your team mates make it a good one for us long-suffering Notts fans by stringing a few wins together? A few goals and some points are on my list to Santa!
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I've worked over Christmas many times and I didn't mind. It's not too bad, you get extra money and it's good to get out of the house. Oh, how I hate those after dinner afternoons in front of the telly with a full stomach with the central heating turned full on.
As for traditional Christmases, mine as always included watching footie on Boxing Day and, on some occasions, on Christmas Day itself. I remember West Ham always used to play at 12.00 on the 25th just before Christmas dinner. Perfect for getting the old gastric juices flowing.
I'ma great believer in keeping up sporting traditions and, I'm afraid, that means professional footballers having to go out and do their stuff. Like the troops in foreign lands, doctors and nurse and even panto artists.
It's no big deal.
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Gavin,
Did you used to play for the school team at Boston Spa in Leeds as a youngster?
If you did, do you know of any of the other lads who have made it in football?
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Darn. Got here too late to see Pompey Blue's daft comment. Pity. C'mon beeb, give us all a laugh, don't remove it! :-)
Keep them coming Gav; fine to read about life on the other side of the turnstiles.
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xmas is great, but lets be honest, its all about the boxing day games to be honest! so thanks you skippin yer turkey an such gav, ya make ma xmas complete! lol!
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Good blog Gav. This year as I sit back watching the footie over this festive season eating some leftover turkey and stuffing rolls, I will raise a glass in cheer to the footballers who go without to bring me some entertainment.
My only compliant about a mid-winter break, is that it would ruin a great British tradition. As a kid freezing my bits off in the stands was great when my dad used to treat me for Xmas. Mind you I don't take my kids to football these days anyway, the swearing in the stands is far too colourful for kids. Plus as a supporter of a top team (well closer to the bottom of the top really), I would need an overdraft for the ticket prices.
Giving it some thought, take the break! I'll watch reruns of the Great Escape and 007 movies on the Beeb and ITV. Merry Xmas
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Really enjoyed the blog. I must admit I used to love going to football over Christmas, especially the boxing day games but since my children were born (a few years ago now) I kind of wish there was a mid winter break as there is so much going on over Christmas.
I love watching football but it's like anything else you can have too much of a good thing and a break over Christmas would probably help some of the injured players get fit and dare I say it but keep some of the foreign players happy as they wouldn't be used to playing over the christmas period
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Pompey Matt Blue is clearly suffering from a deficit of Christmas spirit. He should borrow some from the BBC editor responsible for putting Gordon Strachan's picture on Gavin's blog - he's clearly been at the christmas spirit a little early.
Onwards and upwards!
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Pretty good insight. I don't see the harm in having a little break over the christmas/new year. The PL has needless 'breaks' when international friendlies get played so why not a cheeky week with no games from xmas day to 2/1?
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Post 23 . I did play for the Boston Spa school team . Ben Gallacher did a YTS at Manchester City and James Gordon did a year pro at Rotherham . I have to say we had an excellent PE teacher , Richard Turnock who took the team.
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Anoher good blog Gav.
I have to say the christmas period must be a little offputting when you either have to train or travel for a match. i certainly couldn't do it and gladly suffer my meagre job for the chance to spend a few days of with the family - i get more excited about christmas than i did as a kid for this very reason. I also assume the wrong result etc means a duller christmas when you return from boxing day duty?
Have you ever been injured over christmas? does this mean you get more time with the family?
nice story re proctor. he was a favourite at rotherham in his time - a real trier who had a lot of skill and application and even had a few highlights at the very top in his sunderland days. he and martin butler where a good strike partnership at millmoor but we did a good deal to swop him for byfield (i think).
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There is nothing crazy about going running on Christmas Day. I've done it for years and so do runners up and down the land.
Why should it be odd to do exercise on Christmas Day? If you enjoy running all year round, why can't you on 25th December?
If anything, it makes you feel better prepared for the inevitable onslaught of food and drink.
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Ah too late to see what Pumpyblue said! Nevermind Gavin he was probably a wee moany tube.
Great blog and think we all got the true meaning of it m8.
Can u please wish your dad a merry Christmas for me and also to yourself.
Hail Hail.
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Post 17 . I think you are right . As a kid I did really enjoy the games over Christmas and these matches were as much part of the tradition as everything else.
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wow, i'm slightly surprised by some of the responses.
Perhaps young Master Strachan can borrow some of the football fans to tell his kids that we are the important ones, not them.
Whilst i agree you 'sign up for it' whatever your profession might be - i don't think you can put the Forces, NHS and Emergency services in the same bracket as footballers.
Football is just entertainment remember, as much as we all love it.
Is one more day going to make much difference? It all boils down to TV money anyway, if there was more money to be made by moving them to the 27th, or another nominal non bank holiday, it would happen. Just look at the standard 3pm on saturday fixture list - that hasnt been done for our benefit.
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Post 33 . I will do and same to you.
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I'm a big fan of the football diary over xmas and new year. So often league placings at xmas are referred to as key for the rest of the season and the large number of fixtures during a short space of time adds to the excitement.
How does this fixture congestion suit a profesional footballer Gavin? Do you see it as a great oppertunity to get together a few points? Or is it more something to be dreaded in terms of fatigue and increased injuries etc?
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Post 15 . I can honestly say that has never happened but if i am playing on boxing day , I will have a good sniff!.
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post 37 . Christmas time is a good time to get points in the board and the league table can rapidly change . The fixture congestion is something you just get used to.
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To be honest, I would support a mid-season break that included Christmas. As Gavin and a few posters have pointed out, if you've got young kids it's really difficult to fit everything in.
And the 'they get paid so much so it doesn't matter' argument doesn't really apply to lower leaguers.
Just can't imagine anything worse than spending Xmas Day in a Travel Tavern while your kids are at home opening their pressies.
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Gavin - was there anything from your time with Posh to suggest why we should be so consistently bad on Boxing Day? Anything different about the Christmas routine there from your other clubs?
We've now got a grand total of one point from the last 11 years' Boxing Day matches...
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I'm a football addict! And I trawl the channels & websites for any sign of a game, any day of the week.
And I'm not religious either, but I've always felt Christmas is not for football, and on Boxing Day, I'm usually with family.
THAT's tradition, as far as I'm concerned.
As for playing 2 games in 48h around Christmas/New Year, it's disrespectful to the real fans as well as to the players concerned - you are never totally recovered from the 100% effort of a top-class game in just 48h.
In fact, the only people to gain from this are the media/sponsors... and the top clubs that can field 2 first teams!
It just serves to penalise the lower-budget clubs and anchor the Top 4 in place.
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Love the blog Gavin. Even though I'm sure we all knew footballers were human beigns, it gives us a perspective on Christmas from the view of both the footballer and the footballers children
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Hi Gav
Your story about the sugar / salt has cracked me up! My mate did the same thing to a girl he was trying to impress a few years ago and she never went out with him affterwards!
He claimed it was her fault as she'd been keeping salt in a sugar bowl, but we all know it's coz he's an idiot (he never was the sharpest tool in the box).
Great 'blog as always mate.
Tim
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Well I love the festive football fixtures and would be very disappointed if they were to change.
Once the hype is over, about half an hour after my kids wake up, its back to reality and there is no finer way than a game of football on Boxing Day!
It maybe a little unfair but it's your professions way of paying back the unequivocal loyalty shown by us fans.
It’s a short career as we all know but the reward is great, you can enjoy your Christmas' after that. I am unemployed due to redundancy and I will look forward to festive football more than ever.
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Great article again Gavin, sometimes us fans take for granted how you players give up part of your Christmas.
Yes, you have a life that most of us would love but Xmas is still Xmas.
Hope you and your family have a great one.
PS. Dont suppose your Dad fancies a challenge at Hartlepool does he? We know he's been to the ground before.
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I both love and hate the Christmas schedule. The games are great with the atmosphere different to any other time of year. It is also funny to see the awful new jumpers people have been forced to wear by their so called better halves.
On the other hand though the away games are a nightmare, the traffic on Boxing Day is awful and you have to be careful on Christmas Day about how much you have to drink, after all none of us want to get done for drink driving.
Also with 4 games such a short space of time, the expense is sometimes too much, especially this year.
Surely there must be a better way of doing things. Maybe start the league one week earlier and end one week later and then have a fortnight off for Christmas and New Year.
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Great blog Gavin,
what's with pompeybluemate.i think he's a jerk. Anyway Gav u seem to be upset with the idea of playing on a day after Xmas cos you'll probably wine and dine and fill up your bowels on 25th, wake up late and be too thick and unfit to play on the 26th. Anyways wishing you Gav, your dad Gordon and all on this blog a jolly merry xmas.
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Hi Gavin, I really enjoyed the blog - as usual!
I was just wondering if you have a club Xmas party and if so how early in the festive season do you have to have it and are you allowed any alcohol? Have you got any stories from past parties?
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spurs schedule over christmas
18th Uefa Spatak Moscow (h)
21st Newcastle (a)
26th Fulham (h)
28th WBA (a)
2nd Wigan (h)
6th Burnley (h)
As a Spurs fan we are in 4 major competitions over Christmas so it is quite frankly ridiculous although our squad should be able to handle it the man stupidity been the games on boxing day and the 28th but really you need a full 22 first team squad to fully rotate your team which some teams practically speaking do at christmas but how do Notts County manage the Christmas period in terms of squad rotation etc? another very interesting blog i did some football coaching with a guy who was coaching at a good level and he said the Christmas schedule was very kind to the family also. obviously the punters love it myself I don't get to go to many games but the majority of games i go to are boxing day games or new years etc so good the clubs but not very sustainable!
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Gavin, your comment about having pasta instead of christmas dinner. Is a footballer's diet strict even in the lower divisions? I can understand no drink the day before, but is the food so crucial.
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Hi Gavin,
Great read again.
Personally, I'm not a great fan of the Boxing Day matches but I know a lot of people who are. For one, it's my birthday that day so getting out to see the game is sometimes difficult. This year I will miss the game which means thats one less game I can attend on my season ticket.
I also think its not fair on the away fans. Public transport is either poor or non-exisitent on Boxing Day so getting to games can be hard.
I do have sympathy with anyone who has to work over the xmas period, no matter what the profession. The time is for being with the family and kids do not distinguish an Army officer from a Footballer - they are both dads (or Mums) missing Xmas day with the family.
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I once went to a game with about 10 family and friends where the pre-requisite was that you had to wear a Christmas Reindeer jumper.
I will never forget the amount of abuse and terrace chanting directed at us from our fellow travelling supporters and can still can't believe there were so many words that unfortunatley rhymed with the deer part of reindeer
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Good blog as usual Gav!
On the subject of an Xmas break. I don't think this would have much influence on the overall schedule.
Would it be a viable option to start the season a week early, and end it a week later than normal?
As long as the domestic fixtures do not clash with the FA Cup and Champions League final, it maybe something the hierarchy may wish to look into. I doubt very much a change will occur any time soon though.
I don't care what job people do, everyone is entitled to spend the festive period with their families - if they want to that is, there's always a scrooge around!
Keep up the good work mate!
R_R
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Hi Gav - great read as usual. As a Darlo fan I love hearing what life is like for a lower league player.
What occurs to me is how as a footballer your enjoyment of Christmas is not only affected by not being able to take part fully in the festivities, but can also be hugely affected by results over that period.
An extended family member is goalkeeper for a Championship side and he turned up to a Boxing Day party last year after letting in a late goal to lose a home game. Whilst we were getting merrier, it took him a good few hours to crack a smile and start taking part in the fun.
I know it's not the same as being in a war zone, or spending Christmas working as a nurse, but I did feel a bit sorry for him.
How do your family react when you come home grumpy after a loss at Christmas
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Thank you all for your constructive comments, and yes I do feel a jerk.
Gavin, I apologise for my closing statement.
I had just been reading further details about 4 Royal Marines that had just been killed and wasn't reading your article objectively. Having calmed down a bit (and having had the error of my ways pointed out to me) and re-read your blog I have taken it in a bit more of the good humour in which you meant it.
BTW ArthurBalfour I am lucky enough to be at home this Christmas and will be making the most of the opportunity.
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I've always thought the big problem with a winter break is our gloriously unpredictable weather. Take a few games off in Dec/Jan then find blizzards arriving in late Feb.
I know most of the 'big' clubs will have undersoil heating and gold-leaf duvets for their pitch but the rest could end up with an almighty back-log of matches come early May. Nice read and a merry Christmas to all.
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Gav
As a runner I too run every Christmas day.There is one other essential item as well as my Heart Rate Monitor-A Santa Hat!Gets a great reaction from the walkers and motorists.
BTW what is your resting heart rate at the moment?
The mid season break worked quite well in Scotland a few years ago.It was generally after the New Years games and lasted 3 weeks.Not only did it help the players recover it seemed to help groundsmen with the pitches.
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Just a thought. Daley Thompson, European, World and Double Olympic champion used to train twice on Christmas day, because he knew his competitors wouldn't be training at all.
Andy
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Good blog mate. My missus is a nurse (slightly less well paid than a footballer!!) and she works every other xmas - it's obviously always better when she's not at work but she has to do her duty - just like you guys bringing the xmas footy schedule to the rest of us - for me it's the best bit of the footie calender. And I'm sure you'll eat your fair share of turkey at xmas when you've retired - and then you'll probably wish you were still playing and picking at your pasta instead!! Merry christmas:-)
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I love football over christmas but I can see why players and managers moan.
But spare a thought for NBA players who play actual games on big holiday days such as Christmas day and Thanksgiving. When you factor in that they play a minimum of 82 games in a season in which they can spend many weeks away from their homes.
Boxing day football helps me forget that Christmas has gone.
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It isn't that long since the majority of people worked on "Christmas Day" - so the whinge about having to train or go for a run doesn't quite take account of the changes people have received for their holiday.
The irony is that now they get the day off and do NOT worship their Saviour - which is the reason for having the day off!
P.S. I work on Christmas Day - and have for almost every single one of my working life. Doesn't bother me though...
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WHO R YA!!!!!!!!!
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Oh, yes, and by the way, Boxing Day is only the second day of 12 days of Christmas - it hasn't 'gone' until January 6th. Check out the church calendar.
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Well done PompeyblueMatt for your retraction (post #56).
Gavin's blog is a great light hearted read. The place for political statements and comments is elsewhere.
As a spectator, I've always enjoyed the fixture congestion that Christmas (and Easter) used to create. Home and away local derbies over the Christmas holidays with enormous crowds - great stuff.
I don't have too much sympathy with the clubs grumbling over this - there are plenty of monetary rewards around, be it Eurpoean money, TV money or the lucrative trip to Japan for Man U this week for the World Club Championship (will anyone actuall care about the result!).
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Good post yet again Gavin!
At the risk of lowering the tone, I thought I'd briefly mention the Notts Match at Chester on saturday...not to moan or complain, but to apologise for the behaviour of the minority of our travelling fans.
Some of the stick being dished out was just unacceptable and cant have helped the team's performance or morale. I'll be at meadow lane on saturday, cheering you on, and lets hope the atomosphere then will be a little better, with more real fans to drown out the idiots.
Good luck in the games, and Merry Christmas!
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Give a break to the premership and championship teams, but allow the lower leagues to continue. Might help stimulate intrest and increase crowds for those still playing, and help create extra revenue. We have the best leagues in the world, don't let's lose them!
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interesting article. unfortunately (for you), you're in the entertainment business and people like to entertain or to 'be' entertained at christmas. do you get a christmas bounus?
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from a fans persepctive we all love xmas / new year football in this country.
i love boxing day football, its a tradition and for me part of xmas.
whilsit i appreciate for players it is difficult and i do sympathise, ultimately as the fans that help to pay players wages i would be disapointed with a break at this time.
it is also worth considering many fans make sacrafices to travel to games over the xmas period too.
interesting topic though. very good piece.
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A mid season break? You must be joking. Football was invented to be played in the winter. I do not believe there is any need for a mid season break at all.
The successful clubs will only have acute fixture congestion with all their European and Cup games towards the end of the season. And who can foretell which weeks will be the bad weather weeks anyway? You could end up having 3 weeks off during a mild spell, only to return when the grounds were covered in freezing snow.
Fixtures only need to be re- arranged for the weekends or days when grounds are unplayable. Sorry if you disagree Gavin, but winter breaks, like lunch, are for wimps.
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i think the daft 'appeth from Pompey is still upset that your dad managed down the road at Saints. Never mind. Good will to all men and neanderthals.
On the subject of Christmas - would be nice to see the super well paid pros make an effort this year and collectively donate the boxing day wages to Save the Children ... what would that say about our footballers in this most financially difficult christmas ..just an idea but i'm sure they're looking at Kristal and Bentley's instead. Shame.
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To be honest, I think PompeyblueMatt was just looking to be contraversial to get a reaction and maybe simply some attention that he is missing in his life? Oh well he got it, and his comments showed him up to be a very sad individual.
Good post again Gavin. Have enjoyed reading your blogs over the past months.
Have a good Christmas, hopefully you are not worked too hard.
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Really enjoy reading these blogs Gavin. Keep up the good work. If we could have a little less mention of the "enemy" they would be much better!
These blogs are almost (almost!) enough to forgive you for playing for our chimp hanging friends!
On a more serious note i could not imagine football, especially at the lower levels, without the Christmas programme. Gates are almost always up on normal and the atmosphere is usual much better. It is great to get out of the house on a cold clear boxing day to get down to the match with family and friends who don’t go that often. Get a few drinks in and generally have a good time together. Sorry Gav but I hope you don’t get Christmas off any time soon!
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A good comment. Gordon was always one of the most perceptive commentators when he was a pundit, and Gavin carries on the tradition.
It is worthwhile tipping a hat to those, like pro footballers, who have to work to keep us all going over Christmas. A happy Christmas to you all!
In US sport, it is written into pro contracts that everybody does their bit for charity. Obviously some who have charity in their souls do more than others (the Major League Baseball award is named after a player who died in a crash taking aid to his countrymen), but it is is expected of everybody. There are lots of football players and managers who do their bit for local children's wards and suchlike. Most clubs have websites nowadays, and this is the ideal medium to let the supporters and general public know about their activities. Supporters think their idols have a pampered life, it costs little for the players to do this in return, and repays dividends.
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The problem with a mid-season break is that I don't believe any Premier League team would stick to it.
Instead of playing league and cup games they would all be off touring the far east, Dubai and the USA for money-spinning, shirt-selling friendlies. So much for a break for the players.
The only sides who would stop would be the lower league clubs and surely they are the ones most in need of the additional revenue.
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Hi Gavin,
An enjoyable read as always.
Regarding your comment about a mid-season break, as POSH have only won once on Boxing Day over the last 18 years, I am heartily in favour of a break!
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Personally I've been to Meadow Lane and Iraq and Afghanistan would be a doddle compared!
Excellent Blog Gavin. Keep it up son!
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Gavin talks about mid-season breaks, I don't think they shpuld be planned as I need a Boxing Day and New Year footy fix!
However I've got the answer for people wanting a mid-season break...
... my town's non league side haven't played since Nov 25 due to pitches being waterlogged on 3 consecutive Saturdays! LOL.
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Winter break? Absolutely not!!!
We are starting to forget that the great thing about football, and the reason it is so covered in money is that it is great entertainment, and the most fun time of the whole year to watch a match is boxing day!
As an actor I can understand where you are coming from Gav as I am often performing or simply in a different country on Christmas day - I will be this year and it's tough. But our proffessions simply wouldn't exist without people paying to watch us so we have to do the job when people WANT to watch us don't we?
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Another superb blog.
Gav I think I'm right in saying that in the 50's there used to be a full fixture list of games on Christmas Day morning. If you had to play rather than train would it make it more acceptable?
Also, given that there are no fixtures scheduled for New Years Day for once will you be allowing yourself to stay up til midnight and a little drink too?
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Hi Gavin
Another decent read mate.
My Missus is a nurse and this year is the first and possibly only time that we are guaranteed to have Christmas day together. She is on Maternity leave after having a little boy in October and so it is our first one as a family too. We have to split up on Christmas day as there is a year here and there with our outlaws could mean missing a couple the next two years. The only way to do it is make the most of the time you do have together. I hope that you do have a happy time on and off the pitch as family and footy is what it is all about.
My best to your gaffer too, I coached in Minnesota with him some years ago with my old man and he is a legend. I hope he has a good festive period and Notts County start working their way up the league. Please pass on my best wishes to "Charlie" and my old man's, (Tim & Frank he will know us as the only two Scousers)
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Good blog.
Whats worse than being a footballer at christmas?
Being a fan, leaving early boxing day morning for a lunchtime fixture that gets cancelled!!!!!
good stuff all round!!!!
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You simply cant get rid of boxing day fixtures. I spend xmas and boxing day footy at my parents, and am often quite bored by boxing day, footy is the only thing that keeps me going.
And a winter break just isnt an option. Man Utd will already be 2 games behind after this weekend. They have also made the mistake of getting to the carling cup semi's so thats 2 midweek fixtures to replay our fixtures out the window. Add to that, Man Utd will be hoping for a successful FA Cup and Champions league campaign (and Man Utd have a nasty habit of getting in to FA cup replays by playing a reserve team) and there will be no room to delay any other fixtures.
The only option I would support is maybe a 2 week break in early January, if the season starts 2 weeks earlier...which I would support as it would reduce the seemingly endless gap of time between football seasons!
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Heres a strory I read a few years ago, told by an ex pro. I cant remember where I read it or who told the story though.
Anyway, the ex pro told a story about playing on boxing day.
Despite the obvious dangers, this guy couldnt resist temptation. He ate quite a bit, had a few drinks on xmas day and felt dodgy when he got up on boxing day.
Fearful of reprisals from the boss, he didnt tell anybody how he felt.
After a few minutes he knew he was in trouble, and this was confirmed when he had a little "accident" while running for the ball.
He promptly threw himself into a slide tackle to help cover up the evidence, before being sick a short time later.
The boss took him off, remarkably believed the story that he had a stomach bug, before giving the player a few days off to recover!
The player thought it was xmas all over again as he got away with it, got a few days off, and best wishes from the boss
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"Great blog Gavin,
what's with pompeybluemate.i think he's a jerk.
Thank you all for your constructive comments, and yes I do feel a jerk.
Gavin, I apologise for my closing statement.
I had just been reading further details about 4 Royal Marines that had just been killed and wasn't reading your article objectively. Having calmed down a bit (and having had the error of my ways pointed out to me) and re-read your blog I have taken it in a bit more of the good humour in which you meant it.
BTW ArthurBalfour I am lucky enough to be at home this Christmas and will be making the most of the opportunity".
It is all well now pompeybluemat. Now i can apologise for calling u a jerk.I'd rather saay Merry Xmas man, Peace.
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As a supporter-one who used to go to games home and away, I have to say I hated the Boxing Day games. Have you ever tried to go to an away game on Boxing Day? Usually it involves various methods of transportation- which are usually running on holiday schedules. And it is usually cold or wet. And I am usually missing 'The Great Escape'.
As far as I am concerned the Boxing Day game is a tradition I could easily consign to the history books.
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Dear Gavin,
yet again I am writing - to see if you will actually reply to constructive criticism of our teams performances.
Can we have some effort please on Saturday against Lincoln... Not ONE shot on target against Chester, and our performances are shocking to say the least.
Can you explain to me how we have according to you 'gone back to basics' and put '100 percent effort in' when lets face it - Chester and Kettering wanted it more than you guys.
I will love to hear your views.
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Apart from the "pompeyblue" shenanigans, most of the comments would appear to not in favour of a winter break - looks like on the basis of tradition. Tradition can be overcome (see #50 or remember back to Celtic v Rangers "New Years Day" games).
I can understand the need for entertainment during the holiday period, but I honestly can't understand why we play (and watch) football during the worst months of the year and then take time off during the summer!?!
The players risk increased injury (and missing out on the turkey as Gavin says), and the fans - the ones that go to the games - are either frozen or get stuck with postponments.
Makes no sense to me - having said that, I'll be at an NBA game on the 25th.
PS post #7 - is "Thin" a typo or a nickname for Gavin we've all missed?
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Great blog!
From an EPL fan abroad (Mexico), I love the entertainment provided these days when everything else is down. Mexican League is over, La Liga in Spain is resting too.
So, I know it's hard for footballers (and many other professions out there, such as nurses), but from a viewer I think it's a big plus from the EPL. I wasn't following English football before, but:
- EPL starts first than "La Liga"
- EPL is there in the holidays
- EPL finishes earlier, so it's all exciting in May and April
I hope things stay like that, my comment is not based on tradition but on a pure entertainment. Also, after following the EPL I started knowing more about England, I follow the BBC more, then I'm starting to see the lower division leagues, then also Britain, so a simple thing like football gets you interested in knowing more about all the culture out there.
Great blog!
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In the US, they play games on Christmas Day. Gets lots of people out of the house after the big feed, plus there's actually something decent to watch on TV. And the players get to have their Christmas dinner afterwards. Problem solved..?
(and yes I would even be prepared to risk my good cheer on a trip down the Lane...)
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What a fasinating insight into life in the lower leagues and the problems that arise when playing over Christmas. My beloved Leeds United play MK Dons away on Saturday, Leicester City at home on Boxing Day and Stockport County away on the 28th. Unfortunaltely, I am unable to go to watch Leeds play so I keep up to date from the comfort of my home.
Merry Christmas to you and your family and good luck for the rest of the season.
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Hi Gav, love the blog, good to see the magpies getting coverage. My kids were at the Junior Magpies party tonight and please pass on thanks to players and staff for their presence and good humour. Despite our poor form at the moment, the club is doing many things really well off the pitch and is a great place for families.
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like the blog. nicely written.
i missed the comment by pompeyblue or whatever he's called as its now been deleted.
I'm very disappointed that the BBC has censored someone speech. However ridiculous it sounds. Not what the Beeb should be about at all...
Well done Gav for starting the debate - bet you didnt think it'd become so serious!!!
Good luck for the rest of the season
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Hi Gav,
This may just sound like the usual Notts fans moaning (we do like a good moan) but I was wondering what the players thoughts were on the Christmas Schedule?
We always seem to be, how shall I say it, "treated harshly" by the fixture compillers! This season for example, Away at Grimsby on Boxing Day-could be worse as it isn't that far away but still it's away, Home to Rotherham on the 28th (Sunday, great) and away again at Aldershot on the 3rd Jan.
I think I can hear the screaming of other fans already about to tell me it could be miles worse but when you add in the Away trip to Bradford on the first day of the season and the Away Trip to Wycombe on the last day it seems a little uneven.
At least they didn't give us our only local derby on the busiest shopping day of the year...Hang on, Lincoln City at Meadow Lane this Saturday. Sounds like Notts road chaos to me! Glad I can walk from my house, (ok, the pub).
Anyway Sir, have a great Christmas and hopefully we can get a few points and maybe silence some of the dimmer Notts fans who appear to want the boss out.
Cheers
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As a runner, I always train on Christmas day, but I have to admit that this is so I can tuck into the turkey and drink the pre-dinner champagne with a smug feeling that I've already expended all the calories, unlike everyone else! Surely, one turkey-based splurge in place of pasta and salad can't affect you that much?
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Have been reading this blog for quite a while now, think it is great, nice to get an insight into a lower league professionals life.
I would say i have to admire your perserverence over the years ensuring you secure your self new contracts and so on.
Good luck for the rest of the season
p.s I used to play against you when you played for Yorkshire Amateurs, I played for Bingley Juniors, your old man was at Leeds at the time.
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Gav, why don't you celebrate xmas on your birthday, mate? Two celebrations for the price of one!
Anyway, happy 30th for next week. I know how it feels :-(
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Gotta say Gav, that even as a dyed in the wool football fan, I hate the Xmas programme, and always have.
I know I'm in a minority, but all the games and additional expense at a time when your time and money should be spent on your family, is a real pain.
I would prefer the league programme shut down over the Xmas period
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Wasn't here yesterday and therefore did not read the blog until today. They've taken pompeyblue's post off and I don't know what he wrote, but by the reaction, it wasn't good!!!!
I am torn over the Xmas period schedule. I LOVE being able to watch to many games in such a short period of time, entertaining and a test of teams resolve and stamina, but regardless of who you are, what you do, how much you earn not being able to spend Xmas with your kids must be a killer! If you don't have kids, it's not that much of a problem (well at least it wasn't for me!), but once the little ones are on the scene it's all about them and it would kill me not to see their little faces filled with excitement on Xmas morning and then spend the rest of the day playing with all their toys with them!
Hard one this. The football fan in me says bring on the games, the Dad in me says, give the lads a break!!!
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Hi Gavin,
Not to do with your article sorry....but did you used to play in goal for a cub side in cheshire??? If so I do believe I scored a hat-trick against you (or one of your brothers???) either way i never made it as a footballer like you so well done!!!
Dan - formerly Holmes Chapel
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94 - I don't want Charlie out, but how can you call the fans dim?
His record is dreadful, he has had good funds compared to the likes of Daggenham et al yet he cannot motivate this current lot.
Did you go to Chester? If you did not go then you should refrain from criticizing those fans who did go and are not pleased with the performances of late.. If you did go, how can you come on here and post so much drivel after that gutless and spineless performance.
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nottscountyfc1862
I unreservedly apologise. I was not there on saturday and should not pass comment on things I did not witness with my own eyes. The paying public have the right to say whatever they like. Sorry.
I will admit to being depressed in the last few months over the comments I hear around the fringes of the Kop.
Having watched Mills, Richardson, Gudjon and Thommo all fail dismally, I admit that even this poor season has felt like a highlight and the idea of getting rid of the only manager to try and get the team passing and moving has left me with a bad taste in my mouth.
From what I hear on Kop it appears that many would rather we lumped balls into the box and packed the area with 7 footers. It seems like a backward step to me.
I do apologise for any offence you took, all I meant was some people seem to have shorter memories than others.
cheers
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Apology accepted.
I am now quoting another fan who went to the game...
"chester was a watershed game in my opinion , quite surreal really , notts hit rock bottom in terms of effort , commitment , confidence and ability . i vented my frustrations like everyone else because we felt cheated . sorry but traveling to watch notts away dont come cheap and when you witness such a pitiful return for your money is it any wonder tensions boil over . i have supported the manager thus far but certain players are not playing for him i fear , for gods sake prove me wrong against lincoln otherwise the rot will have well and truly set in."
Come on Gavin - I would love to hear how much the players feel that they are 'done hard by the crowds negativity..
Here is another fans view
"According to Colin Slater on Matchtalk, the team were "upset" by the abuse they received from "so-called fans" (Slater's words) at Chester.
Poor loves. I was upset last Wednesday having spent my hard-earned cash to stand on a freezing lump of concrete watching them go down without a whimper at Kettering."
Very little effort/commitment has been shown in our last few games. Dagenham was appalling, Kettering home, Kettering away and Chester have been diabolical, whilst Wycombe and Chesterfield were just poor.
Paying an average of £20 a ticket and £20 traveling expenses is a lot of money every other Saturday. I expect the players to apologize to the fans not moan as they will be the ones ending up leaving the club and playing non-league within a year or two the way they are performing.
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hi gav
your blogs are always good and entertaining, and i respect that you have loads of stuff to do in your personal life and with football etc etc...but you like never reply back to peoples post's on here...it just seems a bit pointless to be honest ..you never answer many peoples questions..perfect example is your latest blog..out of 103 comments/questions you have replied 5 times. just seems like a bit of a waste of time.
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Gavin
You are in good company. NBA players and many NHL players either have games on Christmas day or the day after. Training or travel is part of the equation.
Thanksgiving day in late November is our big holiday that everybody partakes in regardless of creed. A turkey dinner with all the trimmings. We give thanks for all we have and then eat a large meal.
Anyway, the Detroit Lions NFL football team has been playing on Thanksgiving day since the 1940's. An 11:00AM home game but they play every year. The NFL in its infinite wisdom, then scheduled two other games the same day. So Thanksgiving is a feast of Turkey and football
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