Gary likes the income from the gate. And the opportunity to sell a shirt with Santa Clause on the front.

I used to go with my dad and my brother every year to get out of the house for a couple of hours whilst mum entertained the rest of the family, but apart from that it wasn't much of an event anyway. Maybe they should allow the players to have a beer on Christmas day and sack the game off instead.

Brings in too much money for them to scrap it, it’s well attended for a friendly.

It's an event which pretty much pays for the Croft transfer fee on its own. I guess they could give the players involved the day off but what would you replace the revenue with?

A game on pretty much any other day between now and February? Would the gate have a significant reduction in numbers if it was played on Saturday 30th December instead?

The date has been a subject of contention with some players for years, with some forced to sacrifice christmas with their families in order to play in a meaningless friendly. It was even mentioned in a sour tone during Blake Austin's infamous podcast interview.

Blake Austin seemed to have a lot to say! Just seen he’s reluctantly off back to Australia, surprised he didn’t end up at Leigh or Salford

That's surprising. I thought he was settled over here. Any idea where he is going?

Obviously it would yes.

The games been happening for ever , it used to be on the bbc as well.
I haven’t bothered for ages but it does get you out of the house and let you have a bit of a shout .

I would imagine Wakey will have a half decent team out on BD and I`m looking forward to seeing Walmsley play for them.
I think he would go well in SL considering his size and his pace and surprised he hasn`t been picked up before.
We will play a nominal 5 or 6 fringe players and there will be a10,000 plus crowd there freezing their cobblers off.
Don`t we split the gate money with Wakefield?

Got the flyer through the letter box from HQ today, it says we will be playing a full strength team

The boss has to get a few quid back i would have thought

I'm taking full strength to mean we'll be fielding 13 in the starting line up..

Take it with a pinch of salt.
They've named "Strong" teams previously and by the time it gets round to the actual game they've all been pulled / rested or injured.