It's been a very blue and white week before Christmas.

Starting with an outing to see the new all-singing, all-dancing, all-Albion Christmas show at the Komedia Theatre on Sunday night.

Barely 24 hours later, and still not fully recovered from 90 minutes worth of hilarious entertainment the night before, it was time to get on down to The Grand Hotel for the Albion Christmas dinner.

Now different as these events were, they had several things in common. Not least is the uncertainty about exactly what to expect. There is always a danger of seeing everything Albion-related through the sort of blue and white spectacles that might cloud critical perceptions, but both events were top quality productions by anybody's standards. Paul Hodgson and Mark Brailsford's superb Blue and White Christmas had all the classic pantomime elements essential for a great Christmas show: A hero (or heroes in this case), a very bad baddie, some unexpected twists and turns, the downfall of the 'Evil One' and a strong moral thread running right through. Without wanting to spoil the plot for anyone planning to see the last two performances, the need to keep the faith and Fight for Falmer is the critical message and it is a message that comes over loud and clear. The show is so brilliantly performed and made such a tremendous impression on the audience that I wouldn't be surprised if the Palace-supporting girlfriend of one of our party who, on seasonal goodwill grounds alone, I shall not name and shame will see the light and turn away from Selhurst Park!

The Grand Hotel played host to a very different production the following night although these more formal events can just as easily include elements of pantomime. The great and the good are very evident, the baddies can be very bad - the carrots last year being particularly evil - and there are plenty of unexpected twists especially if Martin Perry takes to the dance floor. Unfortunately moral messages may be lighter on the ground because some shockingly immoral messages often lodge themselves in the minds of normally refined ladies. Usually when they find themselves within heavy breathing distance of Messrs Barrett, Kuipers and Cullip.

Having recovered from the need to take out a second mortgage in order to buy a round of drinks, the collection of motley suspects that made up our two tables were impressed to discover that the management had made a terrible mistake this year by seating us dangerously close to the players who stood to have their meal blighted by an indigestible combination of melting glances and running commentaries about Pethick's latest haircut. And this is where my real admiration for the players stems from because the lads are always polite and friendly and seem to realise just how much the chance to shake hands, have a picture taken or go home with an autograph means to the fans although, in the cold light of day, the evidence of the night before can be a very salutary experience!

Despite never intending to have my picture taken with anyone, something always goes wrong round about midnight and this year was no exception. To my eternal shame, there is a collection of images that prove, beyond doubt, that Gary Hart and Graham Barrett met one of Walt Disney's more chilling characters on Monday. And who invited them to stand next to Snow White's Wicked Stepmother in the first place?

Hopefully they recovered from their post-traumatic shock last night when Micky Adams returned to Withdean. There might have been a setback today when other games were played but three points would have been the perfect start to the festive season. Merry Christmas and a very Happy Blue and White New Year to you all!