Xmas Eve/Boxing Day

[Askern Rover]

Firstly Merry Xmas to all Rovers fans especially the ones that use this forum .I was just thinking would we as fans preferred say a 12 o clock kick off Xmas Eve to a Boxing Day fixture as it seems that some have other commitments on Boxing Day.

[StocktonRover]

No way for me.
Many people are still working on Christmas Eve or are in panic mode for the last minute presents.
It would really impact on the attendance and would be a pain if an away game not very close by.
It would also put off many exiles who combine Boxing Day with a visit to the family and a family trip to the match.

[roversontheup]

Christmas wishes everyone.

Christmas Eve match instead of Boxing Day? A huge NO from me. I'm up to my eyes with jobs getting ready for tomorrow. No way would I have time to go to a home game never mind an away game!

Looking forward to the traditional Boxing Day game when all the panic is over. Don't start on why it's such a panic for one day! I ask myself the same question every year😱

[BobG]

In the 1950's at least, I believe there were Christmas Eve matches every year. With another on Boxing Day - often the return fixture.

BobG

[IDM]

Wasn't that Christmas Day and Boxing Day alternate fixtures in those days?

[Dagenham Rover]

can't remember which one of you are right but I'm sure the basic is right xmas eve/day with boxing day fixtures being the reverse

[i_ateallthepies]

I remember going to the away game at Scunny one season, guessing the 68/69 season when the scunny game was the 2nd of them and Archie Irvine who was such a tricky winger looked like he had leaden boots on because he'd only had one day rest between fixtures.
Now, that's from memory and nearing 50 years ago, so if anyone knows the facts I'd love to hear more.

[RedRover45]

Up to 1957, teams played Xmas day and Boxing Day, and was usually return home and away fixtures. This changed in the 57/58 season.

[idler]

I remember going to the away game at Scunny one season, guessing the 68/69 season when the scunny game was the 2nd of them and Archie Irvine who was such a tricky winger looked like he had leaden boots on because he'd only had one day rest between fixtures.
Now, that's from memory and nearing 50 years ago, so if anyone knows the facts I'd love to hear more.

I thought it was about 1975 we played them away Boxing Day. It was a crap game.

[robchester]

I have a programme somewhere for Rovers playing Xmas day.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Merry Christmas all.

In my lifetime it was always Boxing Day and New Years day. Now the New Years day game has gone.

These days were full bank holidays when hardly anyone worked. Different ball game now of course when nothings sacred.

[BobG]

Ok. Thanks chaps. Im not Quite old enough to remember it personally So it was just me remembering, wrongly, something I was told aeons ago. Christmas Day and Boxing Day it is Sounds absolutely perfect to me too. Get away from all that crap going on everywhere....

BobG

[The Red Baron]

I think Christmas Day matches ended in the late 1950s. Will check.

[RedJ]

1957. Not saying it's bound to be right because of this but I was reading an NBCSN article about why Boxing Day matches were a thing here and they reckoned it ended then.

[The Red Baron]

1957. Not saying it's bound to be right because of this but I was reading an NBCSN article about why Boxing Day matches were a thing here and they reckoned it ended then.

You are correct, sir. 25th December 1957. Charlton Athletic 2 Rovers 0. We also played Charlton on Boxing Day at Belle Vue and lost 2-1.

[idler]

I don't think that the players liked playing and travelling on Xmas day but the crowds were very good.

[Bezza]

crowds were massive everywhere for xmas and boxing day ,but times have changed

[mattco]

You could travel by train over Christmas in those days of football specials.