This article explores the history of Christmas Day football matches in Scotland, highlighting Sir Alex Ferguson's unique connection to the holiday. It details his three Christmas Day appearances as a player and manager, emphasizing his dedication to the sport even during festive celebrations.
Turkey and all the trimmings. The King’s speech. Charades. Silly cracker jokes. For many families up and down the country, they are all part of the traditional Christmas Day celebrations. But football? It’s hard to believe nowadays but it was once as much a staple as the pigs and blankets. The festive period always serves up a stuffed fixture list but it’s either side of the big day itself, which is kept clear.
However, that wasn’t always the case - and in Scotland we had games on Christmas Day as recently as 1976. The majority of the card was switched but two games went ahead with St Mirren, then managed by Sir Alex Ferguson, and Clydebank, one and two in the second tier, battling out a 2-2 draw in front of 7500 fans at the Bankies' old Kilbowie Park. Alloa Athletic beat Cowdenbeath 2-1 at Recreation Park in the Second Division with just 731 turning out - understandably on a day when fans had more important things! That draw helped Fergie’s Buddies win promotion to the top flight and Clydebank followed them up thanks to their runners-up position. And given his obsession with football which saw him become arguably the greatest manager in history, it’s no surprise that Sir Alex is at the top of the tree when it comes to putting football first on Christmas Day. He achieved a hat-trick on the day having played for Dunfermline and Falkirk in 1965 and 1971 respectively, as well as managing the Buddies in that 1976 fixture. Writing in his programme notes for that clash with Clydebank, he said: “What better to complete your Christmas Day than producing everything that’s good in football?” Ferguson’s December 25 appearance for the Pars in 1965 was quite a significant one - it was the Fifers first ever win at Ibrox Stadium. And what a blow it was for Scot Symon’s Rangers. who were leading the table at that time but a 3-2 defeat allowed rivals Celtic to leapfrog them on goal difference thanks an 8-1 thrashing of Morto
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