Giving up the festive season

One of the arguments against a winter break in the UK is that the festive fixtures are part of our football heritage.

I would agree with that, I love catching a bit of footy on Boxing Day or New Year's Day.

The players, however, may think otherwise. After all, they have to give up a bit of exuberance on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve as they will have a game the next day.

Obviously we don't feel sympathy for the overpaid stars who take home thousands every week.

If you get paid that much you can put up with a couple of unwanted early nights.

But what is easy to forget is that there is also a full schedule of lower league and non-league games too.

These players are normal lads who get paid peanuts and they too are expected to give up any fun at Christmas.

So when all of their mates would have been down the pub getting smashed, they would have been having an early night, and all because of a trip to somewhere like Maidenhead the next day.

Of course not everyone would have had such self control.

But if you are a non-league player who gave up your festive season for part-time football you have my utmost respect.