Rio Ferdinand reveals how former Man United captain Roy Keane lost it with Wes Brown at booze-fuelled Christmas party while at the Red Devils
- Rio Ferdinand played with ex-defender Brown at Man United for nine years
- Ferdinand, 46, recalled his favorite Christmas party stories when he was a player
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Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has reflected on the moment Wes Brown had to be carried away from a Christmas party during his time with the Red Devils after angering Roy Keane.
As is tradition at most companies in Britain, football clubs organize Christmas parties for their players in the run-up to the big day.
With players having to undergo strict diets to enable maximum performance in top-flight football, this festive social event is a chance to let off some steam.
And speaking on his own podcast Rio Ferdinand Presents, the former United centre-back recalled a drunken Brown almost crossing the line with then club captain Keane.
“Wes Brown was executed at midnight, or just before midnight,” Ferdinand said. ‘We were having a Christmas party all day and it was performed. I’ll never forget it [it].
“Wes was a funny drinker. I remember when Roy Keane stopped drinking and we were somewhere in Manchester and Wes kept trying to get Roy something to drink.
Wes Brown (left) once got drunk at a Christmas party and angered Roy Keane (center).
Ferdinand recalled that Brown was a “funny drinker” as he reminisced about Christmas cheer
‘You know, Roy, he said, ‘One more, I’m going to hang it over your head,’ that kind of thing. Wes had to be told to get out of the way. That’s the problem with footballers and alcohol, it always goes wrong.’
Keane has also had his share of Christmas party stories. Speaking to Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky Bet, last year, he recalled a time when he wasn’t even allowed to go to United’s big event.
“I was banned from the Christmas party one year,” Keane explained. “I must have been injured and the reserve team were having a night out and I went out with them and I think there was some trouble in Manchester.
“The first team lads went out a few days later and Sir Alex Ferguson came in, in front of everyone, and said if anyone was seen drinking with me that day he or she would be fined.
‘The players were worried they would get fined by the manager, so I ended up going out on my own – I had a Christmas party on my own.’
While Christmas parties can be fun for many players, the physical demands of the Premier League keep some from letting loose.
The festive period is known for its tight calendar, with teams playing regularly through to the New Year.
And Owen Hargreaves, while with Ferdinand, explained how much a player drank during the Christmas celebrations depended on how regularly he was selected.
“Most guys can’t really drink because you have a game every three days,” Hargreaves said.
‘No disrespect, but when you play one game a week in the Premier League you have two or three days where you can go crazy.’
