‘Christmas can be a lonely time for an Irish player away from home’

For all the riches bestowed on a professional footballer, the one downside they’re guaranteed over their career is the necessity to work throughout Christmas.

Armchair fans, or those in England attending matches, are sure to have an annual set of fixtures on St Stephen’s Day as part of the intense programme. It has long been established that the players form part of festive entertainment for punters.

Unlike some European league where a winter break removes the Christmas fixture list, English football is synonymous with a busy schedule of games at this time of year.