NOT everyone was able to over-indulge over the festive period.

Too much grub and booze is no good for footballers with points at stake in Yuletide matches.

Striker Darren Hamilton, in his 11th season with Glossop North End FC, is well used to the routine at this time of year.

High-flying Glossop — aiming for the Vodkat Premier Division promotion playoffs — play at Winsford on Saturday, having entertained New Mills at Surrey Street on Boxing Day, plus walloping Colne away 5-0 and Graham Street Prims 6-1 in the Derbyshire Cup the previous week.

This year proved especially hard for Darren to forsake the comforts of the home he shares on Highfield Road, Whitfield, with partner Liz and their three-year-old daughter, Niamh.

"This time of year is great when you’re single, particularly New Year’s Eve. But starting a family brings a lot of changes, it forces you to grow up," said Darren, 28, who has only ever played for The Hillmen as a semi-professional. He was recently voted fans’ player of the year as well as named High Peak player of the year by High Peak Radio.

"I’d rather have had Boxing Day off and spend it with the family. I was really looking forward to Christmas this year because the little one is growing up."

So it was early to bed for Darren — currently leading goalscorer with 13 goals — on Christmas Day, because of next day’s match. And he had to keep an eye on what he ate and drank.

"I had to be in bed by 10pm and up at 7.30am. You can’t eat too much if you have a game next day. This year we had a goose, veg and a few spuds — I’m not a big turkey fan anyway and I haven’t got a sweet tooth any more.

"I only had a Guinness late on."

Regular games mean regular training too, with 90-minute Monday night sessions held as usual.

"The boss (manager Steve Young) is strict to a certain point — you’re fined a fiver if you’re late," said Darren.

"But you can talk to him, you don’t feel like you’re in the Navy or Army."

Darren knows what that’s like. Having moved south from Glasgow with his parents when he was 12, he had spells in the Navy and as a butcher. During the day he works as a fabricator at Borban Tooling on Glossop Business Park, near the ground.

But playing the game he loves more than compensates for giving up a Bank Holiday.