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Footballers' Christmas Parties (PICTURES)

From Bestie To The Joker: Footballers' Christmas Parties (PICTURES)
The Huffington Post UK

Christmas is fast approaching, which means us media folk keep our eyes peeled for pictures dropping of footballers enjoying a rare night out on the tiles in the party season.

Typically, what with being footballers and all, controversy isn't far away. West Ham United defender Neil Ruddock appeared at Havering Magistrates' Court after allegedly attacking a car belonging to a teenage beauty therapist after the club's Christmas party in 1998. And nine years later, Manchester United's promising defender Jonny Evans was arrested for alleged rape during the club's infamous do. Players' wives and girlfriends were banned from the bash, with reports of women being "hand-picked" to attend. Evans, then 19, was cleared of any wrongdoing.

But away from the uglier festive frolics, here's some goodwill courtesy of Bestive, Greavsie, Hughsey and others without generic but loveable nicknames...

Footballers' Christmas Parties
Soccer - PDSA Animal Party, Ilford(01 of23)
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Tottenham Hotspur footballer Jimmy Greaves helps 'Linda' (a young chimpanzee) cut the christmas cake (credit:PA)
The Best of Christmas(02 of23)
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(L-R) George Best and Mike Summerbee get into the Christmas spirit (credit:PA)
PA NEWS PHOTO 16/12/69 GEORGE BEST IN MANCHESTER POSING IN A "SANTA CLAUS" OUTFIT TO BE WORN BY HIM AT A CHARITY FILM PREMIERE...(03 of23)
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PA NEWS PHOTO 16/12/69 GEORGE BEST IN MANCHESTER POSING IN A "SANTA CLAUS" OUTFIT TO BE WORN BY HIM AT A CHARITY FILM PREMIERE. BEHIND HIM MANAGING A SMILE IS HIS FORMER GIRLFRIEND EVA HARALDSTED WHO WILL PLAY THE PART OF "MUMMY CHRISTMAS" AT THE PREMIERE (credit:PA)
Football. 1975. Northampton Town footballer John Gregory smoking a cigar at the team's Christmas Party.(04 of23)
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Football, 1975, Northampton Town footballer John Gregory smoking a cigar at the team's Christmas Party (Photo by Bob Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Sport. Football. England. December 1974. Liverpool FC's Emlyn Hughes is pictured dressed as Father Christmas with his two children, at the clubs Christmas Party.(05 of23)
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Sport, Football, England, December 1974, Liverpool FC's Emlyn Hughes is pictured dressed as Father Christmas with his two children, at the clubs Christmas Party (Photo by Bob Thomas/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FOOTBALL(06 of23)
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BRUCE GROBBELAAR. LIVERPOOL FANCY DRESS CHRISTMAS PARTY. (credit:PA)
FOOTBALL(07 of23)
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JAN MOLBY & STEVE STAUNTON. LIVERPOOL FANCY DRESS CHRISTMAS PARTY. (credit:PA)
FOOTBALL(08 of23)
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RONNIE WHELAN & BARRY VENISON. LIVERPOOL FANCY DRESS CHRISTMAS PARTY. (credit:PA)
FOOTBALL(09 of23)
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DAVID BURROWS. LIVERPOOL FANCY DRESS CHRISTMAS PARTY. (credit:PA)
FOOTBALL(10 of23)
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IAN RUSH LIVERPOOL FANCY DRESS CHRISTMAS PARTY. (credit:PA)
FOOTBALL(11 of23)
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RONNIE WHELAN & GARY GILLESPIE. LIVERPOOL FANCY DRESS CHRISTMAS PARTY. (credit:PA)
Soccer - Christmas Party(12 of23)
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John Barnes at Liverpools fancy dress party (credit:PA)
Soccer - Liverpool fancy dress Christmas Party(13 of23)
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(l-r) Liverpool players (back row) Ronnie Whelan, Jan Molby, Steve McManaman, Gary Gillespie, Barry Venison, Ian Rush, Nicky Tanner, John Barnes, Steve Staunton. (front row) Steve Harkness, Mike Marsh, Bruce Grobbelaar, David Burrows (credit:PA)
Soccer - Christmas Party(14 of23)
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John Barnes and Ian Rush at Liverpools fancy dress party (credit:PA)
West Ham United's Christmas Party - London(15 of23)
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West Ham midfielder Kieron Dyer attends the football club's Christmas party, dressed as a boxer, at the Kingly Club in central London. (credit:PA)
West Ham United's Christmas Party - London(16 of23)
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West Ham player Luis Boa Morte attends the football club's Christmas party at the Kingly Club in central London. (credit:PA)
West Ham United's Christmas Party - London(17 of23)
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West Ham striker Henri Camara attends the football club's Christmas party, dressed as a tennis player, at the Kingly Club in central London. (credit:PA)
West Ham United's Christmas Party - London(18 of23)
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West Ham midfielder Lee Bowyer, dressed as a jockey, attends the football club's Christmas party at the Kingly Club in central London. (credit:PA)
West Ham United's Christmas Party - London(19 of23)
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West Ham midfielder Nolberto Solano, dressed as a cricket player, attends the football club's Christmas party at the Kingly Club in central London. (credit:PA)
West Ham United's Christmas Party - London(20 of23)
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West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green, dressed as a skier, attends the football club's Christmas party at the Kingly Club in central London. (credit:PA)
Manchester United Christmas Party - Manchester(21 of23)
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Rio Ferdinand outside The Great John Street Hotel in Manchester where the Manchester United football team christmas party was held. (credit:PA)
Manchester United Christmas Party - Manchester(22 of23)
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Girls outside The Great John Street Hotel in Manchester where the Manchester United football team christmas party was held. (credit:PA)
Manchester United Christmas Party - Manchester(23 of23)
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Manchester United players head out for their Christmas Party on Monday afternoon. The team are expected to visit several bars and restaurants. The Grapes was the second venue after the Living Room. Pictured Edwin Van Der Sar, Wayne Rooney, Darron Gibson and Michael Owen (credit:PA)
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