Football fans are in for even more frustration than usual over the festive period as a combination of train strikes and broadcast selections threaten their traditional Christmas matchday jaunts.
The announcement of the TV schedule for Christmas and the New Year, published 13 days late by the Premier League back in October, was met with understandable fury from supporters.
Broadcasters - who have huge sway over the calendar owing to the millions they pump into the game - have again forced matches to be staged across three days instead of solely on Boxing Day, with games in the Premier League and Championship, for example, due to be held on December 26, 27 and 28.