Over the years, the popularity of Christmas day football dwindled. As living standards have improved and food, gifts and decorations have become more affordable. “Communal entertainments were clearly on the decline as the festival took greater root in the home,” says Prof Johnes.
“Football shifts just to Boxing day, as Christmas day becomes more family orientated and more importantly public transport becomes more and more limited.”
The last Christmas Day game in England was in 1965, when Blackpool beat Blackburn Rovers 4-2 at Bloomfield Road.
The last Christmas Day game in Scotland was Saturday December 25, 1976. Clydebank and St Mirren drew 2-2 in a top-of-the-table first division clash and Alloa beat Cowdenbeath 2-1 at home in the second division.
Northern Ireland still hosts the Steels of Sons cup final every Christmas Day – although it shifts to Christmas Eve if Christmas is on a Sunday.
