Boston United's Ben Davies is going cold turkey as he puts festive football first

While most 37-year-olds around the country will happily be tucking into turkey and mince pies and enjoying a tipple, the Boston United defender remains hungry for match action.

And he believes there is nothing better than the hectic Christmas and New Year schedule.

“I don’t miss it (having a drink on Christmas Day),” said the former Grimsby Town and Shrewsbury player. “I don’t really drink anyway.

“There’s nothing better than football, especially at Christmas.

“You get your big teams and local derbies, your big crowds.

“We’ve got some good games and it’s a period I’m used to looking forward to.

“Boxing Day’s always a big game. The family will be there watching us, so you want to do your best.”

The Pilgrims host Alfreton Town today (Boxing day) before the return fixture at North Street on New Year’s Day.

And wedged in between will be Saturday’s arrival of Bradford Park Avenue (all 3pm) - three big chances for Boston to pick up points and force their way back into the play-off spots.

It’s been a decade since the Pilgrims were last beaten at home on December 26, back in 2008 when a struggling side battling relegation in the UniBond Premier were pipped 1-0 by title-chasing Eastwood Town.

In the years since they have recorded four festive wins and three draws at the Jakemans Stadium.

Those victories came at the expense of Jamie Vardy’s Stocksbridge Park Steels (3-2), Eastwood (4-2), Lowestoft Town (5-3) and last year’s 1-0 success over Gainsborough Trinity.

Trinity and Corby Town (both 1-1) accounted for two of the December 26 stalemates, while there was also a goalless draw against Histon, plus a postponed contest against Gainsborough.

United’s only away Boxing Day fixture in the past 10 years was a 3-0 defeat at Lowestoft Town.

Alfreton have former Pilgrims Adam Curry and James Clifton in their ranks, both of whom were attached to Boston last Boxing Day.