Ever curious about the football world during the bustling Christmas season?
Picture this: teams chosen by teddy bears and legendary Scottish football figures strumming air guitars. These are just snippets from the holiday edition of the Sacked in the Morning podcast.
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Holloway’s Plush Selection
Remember when ex-Blackpool boss Ian Holloway turned Christmas gifts into a quirky team announcement? Former Scotland player Charlie Adam shares this unique tale…
Boxing Day found us at Derby, with Christmas day off. We gathered pre-match at a hotel, clueless about the lineup.
Holloway surprised us, instructing us to find teddy bears post-lunch, each bearing a player’s name. Your teddy, your spot in the team. No teddy? You’re on the bench.
With zero tactical briefing, we walked into Derby’s stadium, teddy bears in tow, and triumphed 2-0. Holloway’s trust in our play led to a memorable victory.
Sir Alex’s Rock Star Moment
Rene Meulensteen, ex-coach at Manchester United, reminisces about a festive celebration featuring Sir Alex Ferguson in a musical avatar…
A memorable Christmas do springs to mind, transforming from a dinner into a night of fun. Picture Sir Alex, guitar in hand (well, a blow-up one), and staff members mimicking a rock band.
That Boxing Day brought us a thrilling 4-3 win against Newcastle, with Javier Hernandez netting the last-minute decider. A classic ‘Fergie-time’ win, capping off a joyous holiday period.
Jim McLean’s Winter Marathon
Paul Sturrock recounts a demanding training session set by Jim McLean, the legendary ex-Dundee United manager, on a chilly winter day…
We faced a punishing day under McLean’s regime, amidst snow and frost. After a poor performance, we were pitted against the reserves and, disappointingly, lost.
McLean demanded a rematch that afternoon, this time with officials. We lost again.
Then, upping the ante, he invited supporters to watch a third match against the reserves. Playing 270 minutes of football in freezing conditions was extraordinary.
Warnock’s Boozy Lesson
And here’s a quirky piece of advice from Neil Warnock about pre-match drinking with opponents…
As a manager, I rarely lost on Boxing Day. But as a player, a memorable Christmas incident comes to mind. At 19, playing for Rotherham against my former team Chesterfield, I was invited for a ‘quick drink’ by old teammates.
Little did I know, they spiked my drinks. The next day, their grins said it all as I struggled on the field.
Catch the full Christmas special of Sacked in the Morning and subscribe for more stories.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Football Christmas Stories
What are some unique football stories from the Christmas period?
The “Sacked in the Morning” podcast shares unusual football tales from the Christmas season, like Ian Holloway’s teddy bear team selection method, Sir Alex Ferguson’s mock rock performance at a Christmas party, Jim McLean’s intense winter training sessions, and Neil Warnock’s humorous advice on pre-match drinking with the opposition.
How did Ian Holloway use teddy bears to announce his team?
Former Blackpool manager Ian Holloway used an unconventional method to announce his Boxing Day team by placing teddy bears, bought by his wife, in a room. Each bear had a player’s name underneath; if your name was there, you were playing; if not, you were a substitute.
What memorable moment did Rene Meulensteen recall about Sir Alex Ferguson?
Rene Meulensteen, a former Manchester United coach, recalled a memorable Christmas party where Sir Alex Ferguson entertained everyone by standing on a chair and pretending to play a blow-up guitar, along with other staff members.
What grueling training method did Jim McLean employ?
Jim McLean, the ex-Dundee United boss, once put his players through an extremely grueling day of winter training. This included multiple practice matches against the reserves in snowy and icy conditions, totaling 270 minutes of play in a single day.
What was Neil Warnock’s memorable Christmas experience as a player?
Neil Warnock shared a personal anecdote from his playing days. He recounted how, at 19 years old, his former Chesterfield teammates invited him for a drink before a Boxing Day match against them. Unbeknownst to him, they spiked his drinks, leading to a challenging game the next day.
More about Football Christmas Stories
- Sacked in the Morning Podcast
- Football Christmas Traditions
- Ian Holloway’s Coaching Style
- Sir Alex Ferguson’s Career Highlights
- Jim McLean’s Training Methods
- Neil Warnock’s Managerial Insights
3 comments
haha, the teddy bear thing is classic, shows how coaches can be creative… and a bit mad, right?
Jim McLean’s training sounds brutal… those poor players, must’ve been freezing out there
Warnock’s story’s hilarious, getting drunk with the oppostion? classic rookie mistake lol