So the clock ticks ever closer to the season of goodwill and as a self confessed lover of Christmas, a word of warning for fellow football fans hoping to receive that special something in their Christmas stocking or under the tree. As the years have gone by, I have sometimes received presents based purely on the fact that I am a football fan. Despite who I support, occasionally, a gift would arrive that often stated by it’s appearance, was bought, simply because it was related no matter how tenuously, to football.

What you have to be aware of, is the danger of the gift arriving that can ruin your day. Some of you may in your infancy as football fans, some may be lifelong football fans but all of us should be afraid of the present that can deflate your spirits quicker than discovering your mums new boyfriend is Sven Goran-Erikkson. Here are the 5 worst things that football fans need to be aware of on Christmas Day.

1. THE BOOK ABOUT YOUR RIVALS

This one is a very common spoiler of Christmas Day celebrations for football fans the world over. More often than not more people support less successful sides than the ones that win the trophies. Unfortunately, the more success a side has, the more books tend to be written about them. This has seen myself recieve books about Arsenal and Chelsea in the past as well as a book about Real Madrid. All from well meaning relatives, but sadly wide of the mark. Of course, the benefit of this situation is that you can recycle such presents to either a local charity shop or another friend the following Christmas. Be aware and make sure even Great Aunt Betty knows who you support.

2. THE FOOTBALLERS AUTOBIOGRAPHY

A truly chilling sight to meet those hung over and reddened eyes on Christmas Morning is the footballers autobiography. Why? To put it simply 95% of them are utterly dreadful. The autobiography has probably been the most saturated genre in football writing since the Premiership became the global money making machine it is today and it shows. No one still playing has anything vaguely interesting to say, or as in Ashley Cole’s case, they say something so deluded it makes them a hate figure. What you hope for is one of the truly great ones, such as Tony Cascarino’s, Brian Clough’s, Roy Keane’s, Paul Gascoigne’s or Bobby Robson’s. Make sure you let them know!

3. THE FOOTBALL RELATED CLOTHING ITEM

Here in the UK, there are numerous opportunities for you to receive some of the most ghastly clothing made in the world, simply because it either will have the word football or soccer on it or a picture of a football. Most of these items will be awful as a simple football attired item, but in this day and age, the wonders of technology have given us a greater horror. The musical tie/socks/boxer shorts/hat in a muzak style of sound. This may sound something like the theme to Match of the Day, but after 73 plays before the Doctor Who special has even started, can cause a reaction similarly to that of Jack Nicholson to a winter as a caretaker. Keep it replica kit safe!

4. THE WEIRD FOOTBALL RELATED ITEM

Sometimes, people make the strangest football connected items that really does make you think if someone was on serious medication, needed serious medication or simply had a night out with John Belushi in 1980 and never got over it. For dreadful items, this for me takes the biscuit. Who in there right mind pitches that at a meeting. “Tell you what guys, these are going to be flying off the shelves”. The comments alone are worth viewing the item for. Staggering.

5. THE OH YOU LIKE FOOTBALL SO YOU MUST LIKE ALL SPORT PRESENT

Now I don’t know about you, but I love football, I love NFL, Tennis and Golf. I really enjoy Darts, no don’t laugh. Unfortunately most other sports leave me cold. Be aware, some people think if you like one sport, you like them all. This can lead to all sorts of unrelated crap getting wrapped up and sent to you under the guise of a thoughtful present. Here in England this usual involves two games hardly any other country plays or gives two hoots about, Cricket and Rugby. These include books about such sports, DVD’s, even tickets. Please use point one’s guide to recycling.

So there you have it, 5 key points to watch out for this Christmas but later this week I’ll be looking at some things you really should stick on your Christmas list and what will wow the football fan. Season’s greetings!

Please leave me your feedback, especially about awful football related Christmas presents below and you can follow me at http://twitter.com/paulbestall

Poker is all about competition.  Its rush stems from the risk, reward, guile and ultimate satisfaction from conquering an opponent and, of course, the money.

It sounds an awful lot like professional football, so it’s not a great surprise that footballers would peruse the top poker sites or know where to find the best poker rooms.  One such player is former striker (and current Times curmudgeon) Tony Cascarino.

The 46-year-old Irishman scored 248 goals during an 18-year career, with notable stints at Gillingham, Milwall, and Olympique de Marseille.  He also published a critically acclaimed autobiography detailing his exploits off the pitch, notably his passion for gambling, poker in particular.

After retiring from football, Cascarino’s poker playing has become more than just a hobby.  Active as a professional since 2004, Cascarino has earned 13 cashes at No Limit Hold’em tournaments, earning a total of $259,205, including a $99,078 win at Grosvenor UK Poker Tour (GUKPT) Leg 7 on Sept. 4.  He finished sixth at the GUKPT Grand Final on Nov. 27, earning $54,795.

Cascarino currently holds a ProRank 1 Position of 399.  He was also a Season 1 finalist on the British television show Celebrity Poker Club.