Paul Benson: Christmas bash was a smash hit from the start

11 April 2012

Last weekend, I watched a team‑mate drive his car into a post, pushed the same car up a hill and finished the day dressed up as Michael Jackson. It's amazing what can happen in the football world when there's a bit of snow at Christmas time.

The plan was to have our Christmas party in Newcastle after playing Hartlepool last Saturday. The weather meant the game was called off, so we had to train on the Saturday and then take the train up — although I'm amazed we actually made it after the way our journey started.

Our defender Simon Francis was driving Alan McCormack and I out of the training ground when his car skidded on the ice and hit a post — three minutes into the journey! We heard a crunch and thought Oh, no', but the damage wasn't actually that bad. A couple of the boys in another car helped us push the car away from the post and we were able to get going again and look forward to a nice, quiet drive to Ebbsfleet Station.

No chance. A bit later, we were driving up the hill and the car ground to a halt halfway up, so once more I was out of the car and pushing.

Who needs weight training? Luckily, Gary Doherty — who'd read the script and brought his 4x4 — was behind us, so a few of the boys were able to give us a hand again. Not the ideal way to start a Christmas party and we hadn't even left the south-east.

Somehow, we made it to Newcastle and fancy dress was the order of the day. Because I'm the best dancer at the club (sadly not true), I went as Michael Jackson so I was moonwalking my way around the city for two days. Twenty of us walking down the main streets in fancy dress — Newcastle has never seen anything quite like it.

I know certain managers frown on Christmas parties but I think they're essential. You don't want them getting out of hand but if they're done sensibly, they're brilliant.

At both Dagenham and Charlton, the managers have advocated them because they realise they're vital in getting a good team spirit. This was my first one at Charlton and it was slightly different because we all knew each other so well at Dagenham. For a first one together, it was a really good laugh. There were no cliques going on, just 20 guys walking around in fancy dress. We're on the way to getting a team spirit that will be as good as I remember from Dagenham.

Good results help with team spirit, too, and we'll be looking for two more over Christmas. We play Southampton at home on Boxing Day and then Brighton away two days later.

Brighton are the leaders and beat us 4-0 at The Valley earlier in the season. That was maybe the worst day I've had in football, so let's hope we can go there and show them how much better we've become.

Finally, I'd like to wish all Standard readers a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. We'll be training Christmas morning, so spare a thought for us when you're opening your presents.

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