Iron set for hectic Xmas schedule

A provisional fixture list for the 2005-06 season shows that clubs in the third and fourth tier of English football will play on both Boxing Day and December 27, in what is a packed festive programme.

There will then be games for the League One and League Two clubs on December 31 (Saturday) and January 2 (Monday).

This is in an attempt to fit the fixtures in on bank holidays.

The two sets of games will include one home and one away fixture.