It's that time of year again folks, yip Christmas, you know where it starts in the shops in October and where sick of it before it's even upon us. Traditionally over the Christmas period there is a feast of football in the Irish League, which is great for us fans over the holiday period who are looking to escape the house, the shocking festive TV guide and renditions of jingle bells.
In December everyone is splashing cash, buying presents, getting a loved one that special gift or maybe treating yourself. Indulging in alcohol, scoffing food and out partying. Everyone has that one gift or present they want, it's something they want but know there's that chance they might not get it, Irish League managers I'm sure will know what presents they would like and although they won't get their gift on Christmas Day they will have talked about it, looked at it and wanted it, but they will have to hold on to January for that gift, which is traditionally known as the January sales in the shops, and for managers it's the January transfer window. Hopefully Santa has a player in his sack for Coleraine to sign in January.
The Saturday before Christmas sees a full programme in the Carling Irish Premiership, Coleraine take on Dungannon at home. Then it's the big one, nope not Santa, nope, not the Turkey dinner - It's Derby Day, yes the biggest and most attended, most talked about and eagerly awaited fixture of the season, each year it's traditionally held on boxing day which adds that extra buzz, excitement and atmosphere to the game. This year however instead of the game being played on boxing day Sunday 26th December, the games will be played on Monday 27th because of Boxing Day falling on a Sunday. But take nothing away from it, it will still be the same, fans in the Christmas spirit, big crowds, great atmosphere and the highlight of a lot of fans Christmas, at least this year the players will have a day extra to let their turkey and spuds settle and maybe can enjoy a Christmas day beer, however just the one or two and don't be overdoing it lads. So don't be a turkey this Christmas and make sure you get along to the derby game over the festive season.
As the festive season almost comes to and end, we still have the biggest night of the year, yip it's New Years eve, most people tend to head out, or go to a house party and drink copious amounts of alcohol as they cheer in the New Year, most people do except for Irish League footballers, because as soon as the bells ring in for the New Year, it's now 1st January 2011 and the New Years Day fixtures which is more football for the fans, a great way to get into the swing of the New Year, also an excuse to go out and get a cure for your New Years Eve hangover. This year on New Years Day Coleraine take on Cliftonville at home in the Carling Irish Premiership, weather permitting, hopefully the game goes ahead and the Stripes can make a winning start to the new year.
Lets hope during this Christmas period the weather isn't as bad as last year, when the Irish League was badly affected by snow and freezing conditions, on the Saturday before Christmas Coleraine v Portadown was called off, on boxing day, even after Coleraine fans got out of bed and met at the showground's at 7am to clear the pitch the Coleraine v Ballymena was called off as the pitch was covered in snow which had frozen over. Even on New Years day Coleraine v Linfield was also called off as the pitch was still frozen. What a boring Christmas it was for the football fans and the club took a massive financial loss because off this.
The whole of the Irish league suffered because of this and lost out in thousands of pounds as the freezing conditions made all pitches unplayable, except Crusaders FC who had a plastic pitch and were unaffected by this. Coleraine lost out in massive gates with three home games in a row being called off which is thought to have cost Coleraine around 50 grand and possible more. Irish league clubs struggle as it is and can't afford to lose out on massive amounts of money like this - So this Christmas on my list I'll be hoping for better weather and no more frozen pitches. Like my club your club can't afford to have matches called off at a time when we see attendances boosted.
So to all Coleraine and Irish League fans, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and lets hops we see plenty off matches over the Christmas period.
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