In The Spirit

IT is refreshing, in the often hard-nosed realm of professional football, to see some old-fashioned values still holding good.

John Sheridan is giving his Pilgrims Christmas Day off. Or, at least, as much of it as is possible before the players journey east to this season’s star turn in Sky Bet League 2, Oxford United, for their Boxing Day game.

“I think it’s important, whatever anyone else thinks, that they spend a bit of time with their family at Christmas,” said John. “They will see their loved ones on Christmas Day and we’re in the team hotel on Christmas night.

“You need to be with your family sometimes. I’ve been in football a long time and I’ve been in a hotel every Christmas night throughout my career. It’s probably one of the hardest things to do when you got kids, your missus, and loved ones.”

Not that the gaffer’s goodwill will extend much further into a busy holiday period for Argyle.

“We might just do a little bit of training, have a stretch, on Boxing Day morning,” he said. “The games are coming up thick and fast.”