The final Christmas Day fixture in England – 60 years on

It has been 60 years since the last Christmas Day football match was played in England. The tradition of playing matches on Christmas Day dates back to the late 19th century when it was a popular pastime for families to attend matches together.

However, due to changing social norms and traditions, the practice of playing football on Christmas Day gradually fell out of favor. The final Christmas Day fixture in England took place in 1959, between Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers.

The match was played at Bloomfield Road and ended in a 4-1 victory for Blackpool. The decision to stop playing matches on Christmas Day was met with mixed reactions from fans, with some lamenting the end of a tradition and others welcoming the chance for players to spend the festive day with their families.

Despite the end of Christmas Day fixtures, football in England continued to thrive and remains one of the most popular sports in the country. The 60th anniversary of the final Christmas Day fixture serves as a reminder of the changing nature of traditions and the importance of family and community in the world of sports.

While the tradition of Christmas Day football may be a thing of the past in England, the memories of those matches live on in the hearts of fans who fondly remember the festive spirit of the holiday season. As we reflect on the final Christmas Day fixture 60 years on, we can appreciate the history and legacy of a bygone era in English football.