I HAVE no worries that the players at Worcester City will remain professional in their approach to games over Christmas.

We have two big games against Gloucester City within the space of a few days and they will prepare correctly because I know how much they want to do well.

You hear stories about players getting up to things they shouldn’t at this time of year but I don’t have any concerns about my squad.

Players prepare in different ways and on Christmas Day will do what they would normally do ahead of a match.

Most people not involved in sport will finish work and overindulge on Christmas Day and Boxing Day by eating and drinking far more than they normally would.

However, as a non-league footballer, not doing that is something you get used to from your late teens when you start playing the game.

It’s only when you come to the end of your playing days that you start to realise what it’s like to drink into the early hours over Christmas and New Year!

They are sacrifices you make and I always remember from a young age having it drummed into me that a non-league footballer’s Christmas, Easter and summer holidays were in June.

That was one of former City manager George Rooney’s favourite lines. Yet, although that’s what we were officially told, I am sure there were certain players who didn’t quite follow that to the letter of the law.

If I’m honest, I was probably one who fell somewhere between not drinking and getting absolutely slaughtered because I thought I could get away with it.

I don’t have any doubts my players will be sensible going into the Boxing Day game at St George’s Lane.

That said, they do go out from time to time and last weekend had their Christmas party which was great for team spirit and a just reward for a superb first-half of the season.

This year it was in Manchester because it was convenient on the way back from Colwyn Bay following our 2-0 victory last Saturday.

Going to Worcester or Birmingham for a night out is quite common so they like to try somewhere else. The players will often select an away game and look to go out in a place near to that.

Danny Edwards was supposed to be organising it but we decided to get Lee Ayres, inset, in to help him out to ensure everything went to plan!

I stayed away this year and let them have their space. But I am told there were one or two weary legs because they didn’t have much energy left after the match!