Members of the Blues squad have been revealing what they like most about Christmas
Craig MacGillivray
The best thing about Christmas normally is getting to spend time with your family, but I’m not going to be able to do that this year because they’re all up north. I’ll be with my missus and her family, and then we’ll be training in the evening before the match on Boxing Day. I’ve been a professional for a number of years now, so I’m used to it. I’m quite easy when it comes to presents – it sounds soppy, but I’m happy with whatever I’m given.
Matt Clarke
I like the Boxing Day fixture! But my other favourite thing is the Christmas dinner, while making sure to avoid the drinks and desserts that go with it.
David Wheeler
I remember being 10 or 11 and getting an original PlayStation when I was younger, with games like Crash Bandicoot. The best thing about Christmas is spending time with family and friends, and enjoying some nice food and drink.
Ronan Curtis
My favourite thing is the Christmas dinner. I have turkey, ham, roast potatoes, sprouts – the whole lot. You can’t go too overboard, but the rest of the family can and I’ve got 20 of them coming over here this year. When I was growing up, my mum just used to get me a football and I’d be happy.
Lee Brown
It’s always a busy period when you’re a footballer because there are a lot of games to play in a short space of time, but it’s nice to spend the free time we do get with our families.
Christian Burgess
I enjoy opening presents with the rest of the family and I can remember getting a bike when I was a kid – that was probably the best one. We had to go into the garage to find it and it was a great surprise.
Nathan Thompson
My favourite thing is the whole family coming together to spend time with each other. We obviously don’t get as much time as we would like over Christmas, but we’ll always find a day somewhere. I remember getting a goal net and goalie gloves when I was younger, with my brother and I spending hours using them in the back garden.
Anton Walkes
I love watching my family members open up their presents and be happy. My daughter won’t really know much about what’s going on this year, but next Christmas should be pretty special.
This feature first appeared in the Pompey v Sunderland programme.