Christmas football: 27 brilliant pictures of the beautiful game in the winter snow and players dressed as Father Christmas
Christmas. It’s a time for family, friends and, most importantly, football.The festive period on these shores is a spell cherished by supporters around the world as the beautiful game is viewed in a dim half-light with snow carrying clouds overhead.We don’t always get a white Christmas, but there is no doubt a flurryof flakes can bring an extra bit of joy, even if it means kicking the undersoil heating into gear.So, for a trip down memory lane as you tuck into your 23rd mince pie, enjoy this talkSPORT.com winter special. 1. Paul Gascoigne brings seasonal cheer with an array of cuddly toys27
1. Paul Gascoigne brings seasonal cheer with an array of cuddly toys
2. Arsenal and Manchester United players look for the coin on a snow covered pitch after the referees toss up in 192627
2. Arsenal and Manchester United players look for the coin on a snow covered pitch after the referees toss up in 1926
3. Marseille fans get in the festive spirit in 2014 at the Stade Velodrome27
3. Marseille fans get in the festive spirit in 2014 at the Stade Velodrome
4. Back in 1936, Liverpool players Alf Hobson and Tom Bradshaw put up decorations at a hotel in Rhyl where the club were training ahead of their Christmas schedule27
4. Back in 1936, Liverpool players Alf Hobson and Tom Bradshaw put up decorations at a hotel in Rhyl where the club were training ahead of their Christmas schedule
5. Father Christmas shows off his ball juggling skills ahead of West Ham United v Chelsea back in 200927
5. Father Christmas shows off his ball juggling skills ahead of West Ham United v Chelsea back in 2009
6. Evertons Dixie Dean statue gets into the festive spirit ahead of the Toffees' clash with Queens Park Rangers in 201427
6. Evertons Dixie Dean statue gets into the festive spirit ahead of the Toffees' clash with Queens Park Rangers in 2014
7. Liverpool fans celebrate German manager Jurgen Klopp with these Christmas jumpers27
7. Liverpool fans celebrate German manager Jurgen Klopp with these Christmas jumpers
8. Mario Balotelli dons a Santa hat after another goal in a Nice victory this December27
8. Mario Balotelli dons a Santa hat after another goal in a Nice victory this December
9. Liverpool and Everton half-and-half scarves adorn a Christmas Truce statue on Merseyside27
9. Liverpool and Everton half-and-half scarves adorn a Christmas Truce statue on Merseyside
10. Guards at the Tower of London play football in the snow in 192727
10. Guards at the Tower of London play football in the snow in 1927
11. Aghanistani children play football in front of the tomb of former Afghan King Nader Shah in Kabul, in 200527
11. Aghanistani children play football in front of the tomb of former Afghan King Nader Shah in Kabul, in 2005
12. A group of elderly Chinese residents play football on a frozen river, as they gather for a winter swim in Shenyang, north-eastern China's Liaoning province on December 20, 201027
12. A group of elderly Chinese residents play football on a frozen river, as they gather for a winter swim in Shenyang, north-eastern China's Liaoning province on December 20, 2010
13. Manchester City star David Silva plays on as snow falls around him during a clash with West Brom on Boxing Day in 201427
13. Manchester City star David Silva plays on as snow falls around him during a clash with West Brom on Boxing Day in 2014
14. Brazilian footballer Jair holds an umbrella in a snowstorm that caused a game between Inter Milan and Padova to be called off in 196227
14. Brazilian footballer Jair holds an umbrella in a snowstorm that caused a game between Inter Milan and Padova to be called off in 1962
15. In December, 2010, Arsenal were forced to postpone a clash with Stoke City due to heavy snow27
15. In December, 2010, Arsenal were forced to postpone a clash with Stoke City due to heavy snow
16. St. Pauli players throw snowballs during a training session in 201027
16. St. Pauli players throw snowballs during a training session in 2010
17. St. Pauli fans wave flags and throw fake snow during a 2. Bundesliga match with Eintracht Frankfurt in 201127
17. St. Pauli fans wave flags and throw fake snow during a 2. Bundesliga match with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2011
18. Snow causes a match between Newcastle United and Charlton to be postponed in 200527
18. Snow causes a match between Newcastle United and Charlton to be postponed in 2005
19. Carlton Cole plays in the snow during a Premier League match with Blackburn Rovers in 201027
19. Carlton Cole plays in the snow during a Premier League match with Blackburn Rovers in 2010
20. Arsenal footballers Wilf Copping, Eddie Hapgood (captain), George Male, Ted Drake, and Cliff Bastin, shiver in the snow27
20. Arsenal footballers Wilf Copping, Eddie Hapgood (captain), George Male, Ted Drake, and Cliff Bastin, shiver in the snow
21. Paul Gascoigne can't resist having some Christmas fun, this time with Chris Waddle27
21. Paul Gascoigne can't resist having some Christmas fun, this time with Chris Waddle
22. Weather postponed this match at White Hart Lane in 196327
22. Weather postponed this match at White Hart Lane in 1963
23. Chelsea's Johnny Boyle, Terry Venables, Ron Harris and Eddie McCreadie train in the snow at Stamford Bridge in 196527
23. Chelsea's Johnny Boyle, Terry Venables, Ron Harris and Eddie McCreadie train in the snow at Stamford Bridge in 1965
24. Even Father Christmas needs to have his person and bag searched before football27
24. Even Father Christmas needs to have his person and bag searched before football
25. Bayern Munichs Ze Roberto jumps into the snow during a friendly with FC Eintracht Bamberg in 200927
25. Bayern Munichs Ze Roberto jumps into the snow during a friendly with FC Eintracht Bamberg in 2009
26. It's the magic of the Cup27
26. It's the magic of the Cup
27. Bonus picture: Jeff Winter!27
27. Bonus picture: Jeff Winter! – We're not sorry.



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