Gillingham players have voted amongst themselves to have Christmas Day off.

The Gills face a hectic schedule over the festive season, playing five League 2 matches over a 15 day period, starting at York on Saturday.

But manager Martin Allen allowed the players to have one day to themselves.

Allen (pictured) said: “I asked the players a couple of weeks ago what they would like to do over Christmas and they had a vote that they would like to have Christmas Day off.

“We had a chat between the staff about it. It was a dilemma that we faced, ‘what do we do on Christmas Day?’

“A lot of them have got young children and of course Christmas is special and I trust all the players.

“We will train Christmas Eve and then we have got Secret Santa for everyone. Then on we go to Boxing Day for the Barnet game.”

Allen has often left the decision-making this season to the players.

“I give them responsibility and ownership of what they are all doing,” he said.

“I am not a dictator. I listen to what they think is going to be best and we put it into place. You do get better results from it.

“We’ve got a better squad of players and if players are late they let us know and they take responsibility for it themselves, which is hopefully a better place for the players to work in and is certainly more enjoyable for me.

“I don’t think I have hardly had any times where I have had to crack the whip. It has been pretty straightforward managing for me. I haven’t had any hassle.”