What is the Experience of Being a Footballer Away from Home During Christmas?

Frozen Christmas dinners, cryptic secret Santas, and the mounting pressure of the season’s most exhilarating match – this festive period presents a peculiar challenge for footballers away from their familiar comforts.

With professionalism surging in the Irish Premiership, the influx of international talent is becoming overwhelmingly evident as clubs welcome players from afar.

As they navigate through the festive whirlwind, these athletes brace themselves for the much-anticipated Boxing Day derby—an event that stands regal in the calendar of the Irish League.

BBC Sport NI has its finger on the pulse as we delve into the experiences of four Glentoran players preparing to celebrate the holidays amid Northern Ireland’s vibrant football scene.

Hungarian shot-stopper Daniel Gyollai, who has spent a decade honing his craft away from home, shares his journey through clubs such as Stoke City, Peterborough United, Maidenhead United, and now Glentoran.

“It’s tough but you have to get used to it pretty quickly,” remarked the 27-year-old, whose recent heroics helped Glentoran secure a hard-fought victory over Cliftonville last weekend.

“Especially in the UK and Northern Ireland, you play through it, so not seeing family is tough, and missing out on the Christmas dinner is tough, but that’s what the job requires, so you quickly get used to it.”

In a twist of fate, English defender Frankie Hvid finds himself experiencing his inaugural Christmas away from the comforts of England, a reality induced by his summer move to Belfast.

“This is my first time being away from home for the whole period, really,” the 20-year-old admitted.

“I’ve got some of my family coming over for Christmas, so hopefully it won’t be too much of a big deal.”

“It’s difficult getting used to it and not being able to see family whenever I want, but I have nine coming over, and it will be good to have them here.”

“I’ve got my mum, dad, two brothers, nan and grandad, my aunt, and then two cousins, so it should be a good one. We’ve booked a hotel for Christmas dinner, so it should be nice.”

Gyollai plans to spend his festive season with his girlfriend, and he is determined to “make the most of it.” His Christmas menu reflects a charming fusion of his Hungarian roots and the culinary traditions of the UK nurtured throughout his football career.

“The food is different at Christmas, so when my family comes around Christmas time, they sometimes bring me some Christmas dinner with them, just frozen in boxes, so I still get a little taste of it.”

“I’m used to the Christmas dinner from England, but I still miss my Christmas dinner from home. It’s totally different, and every family has their own little traditions. For me, it’s the lentil soup, stuffed cabbage, and my grandma’s freshly baked dessert.”

“I try to dabble in a bit of each, but with games coming thick and fast, you have to be careful with what you eat. It’s all in moderation; pigs in blankets have to be kept to a minimum.”

David Fisher, now well-acquainted with the rhythms of the Irish Premiership in his second season, encapsulates the professional mindset; being away for Christmas is simply “part of the job.”

Like his housemate Hvid, Fisher hails from England but finds himself adjusting to the local customs, having hosted family for Christmas during his inaugural year in Belfast.

“You just think of it as your job. Last Christmas I had my dad come over, which was quite nice, but this year I told him to stay at home. It gives me a little bit of time to focus on the games ahead.”

Finley Thorndike, another Englishman and former product of Aston Villa and Birmingham City, reflects on the predictability of his festive pasts: “Every year was a pretty normal Christmas back home.”

“Me and David are going round to one of the lads’ houses for food. I actually did my Christmas last weekend. I went home, and my whole family came around, so I don’t feel like I’m missing out as much.”

Fisher, who openly admits he’s “not really a fan” of turkey, while Thorndike enthusiastically digs into “as many pigs in blankets as possible,” shared that the squad is getting into the holiday spirit with a secret Santa event.

“We’ve got that at the club, but I’ll get Fin something too,” Fisher chuckled, referencing his housemate.

Seeped in tradition, the Irish League transforms itself every year as the 26th of December brings a flurry of local derbies.

For aficionados of the league, this day is often painted with more significance than Christmas itself.

At the heart of these festivities is the fierce rivalry between Glentoran and Linfield, two giants of the Irish Premiership, set to clash again at the historic Oval.

Currently perched atop the league, Linfield will face a Glentoran side that has outmatched them in each of their three encounters this season – a remarkable feat showcasing the intensity of this rivalry.

“I’ve played in a number of derbies and I knew it was going to be a crazy atmosphere,” Gyollai reflected. “I’ve been told the Boxing Day game is the biggest one. We’re yet to see that one, but we’re really looking forward to it.”

While Fisher is the only one among this quartet to have previously tasted the electric atmosphere of a Boxing Day derby, he illuminates the monumental scale of these encounters.

“I knew they were big; I just didn’t think that they were this big,” Fisher mused as he recalled his rollercoaster experience. “I didn’t realize the size of it until I was playing and I was thinking, ‘oh my days, this is actually massive.'”

“It was loud, I remember that last year. We know the fans will be here in full voice, so hopefully that can help us over the line.”

For players and fans alike, securing three points on Boxing Day constitutes the ultimate yuletide gift.