Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville once claimed that he thought he was “going to die” after attending a club Christmas party during his playing career.
Neville was seen as a consummate professional who worked hard day in and day out during his 19-year playing career with Manchester United, during which he captained the club and helped them win eight Premier League titles and two UEFA Champions League crowns, as well as 12 other trophies.
But even the most disciplined players are allowed to let their hair down and enjoy the festive period.
Like most workplaces, football clubs also put on Christmas parties for their staff. But on one occasion, Christmas cheer quickly turned to panic for Neville, who had to be put in a taxi home by then-teammate David Beckham.
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On an episode of Stick to Football back in 2023, Neville described how he “ended up in hospital” on Christmas as “someone spiked” his drink.
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"I was with David Beckham and Ben Thornley put me in a taxi, and he sent me home, but I said to the taxi driver to take me to the hospital,” Neville recalled.
“I got to the hospital and it was quite busy there, and I ended up falling asleep on the deck, and I remember one of the nurses coming over to me asking if it was just drink, which I said it was. Only then I realised that I could have been spiked."
The former United right-back then explained how he slept at the hospital before waking two hours later. Neville then had to call his girlfriend to pick him up as he waited in a wheelchair at the front of the hospital.
During the same episode, former teammate Roy Keane teased Neville for leaving the United Christmas parties early.
However, the Bury-born ex-defender maintained that he “never left until the end”.
A 2021 report from The Athletic, in which former Wolves, West Ham and Norwich winger Matt Jarvis offered his thoughts, explained how football clubs’ Christmas parties are usually planned from October onwards.
Jarvis explained how the senior players usually take the lead in organising the party or night out, with fines gathered throughout the year used to fund it.
The former England international explained how attendance is mandatory and that “it’s seriously frowned upon if you don’t go”.
“They have to make it hurt for them not to go,” Jarvis said.
“Some people are happy with that and will pay up, some don’t go and don’t want to pay, and I’ve been in dressing rooms where a manager has had to order them to.”
And given the fact that there’s just one Premier League game on Boxing Day (December 26) this year, when Newcastle United travel to Manchester United, a few players may be able to enjoy their Christmas Day more than usual.
Topics: David Beckham, Football, Gary Neville, Manchester United, Premier League, Roy Keane
Luke Davies