Football has long been a cherished and integral part of Boxing Day festivities in Britain, a tradition stretching back to Victorian times. For many, the association between the sport and the holiday s

Hearts could be about to create more drama in Scottish football and overturn the Old Firm, says Simon Barnes

CIAO TO LA SCALA OF FOOTBALL ST ...

The room erupts. Not with cheers, but laughter. There are around 400 people at Gateshead’s Hilton Hotel, including Dan Burn, and a joke has just been cracked on the microphone at the defender’s expens

DREAMS TURNING TO ASHES

For the first time in 17 years, Tottenham actually won a trophy – a first European trophy since 1984, no less. That they did it in the same season as their lowest league finish for 47 years made it al