Nowadays you never really get to see players letting their hair down and have a drink to relax after a season finishes, a trophy is won, or they just fancy a night off.
Back in the day it seemed to happen a great deal more than it does now. This gallery is dedicated to some of the best, rarest, and oldest photos of some legends of the British game enjoying a celebratory drink with their teammates, friends and family.
There are some infamous examples of players being party animals in football – George Best perhaps being the first one that springs to mind for most.
He does feature more than once in this montage given he could be considered the bastion of the old guard football player.
From smoking, to drinking, to playboy bunnies, this set of photos has it all when it comes to showing off the character of past legends.
But we start with a slightly more understated one, albeit memorable in its own way. It’s the Manchester United team – which includes legends such as Matt Busby, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton – celebrating the club’s seventh league title…
Manchester United Football Team celebrate winning the League Championship after their 6-1 win over West Ham at Upton Park in the penultimate game of the season.
Players include Denis Law, Bill Foulkes, Paddy Crerand, Nobby Stiles, Bobby Charlton, George Best, manager Matt Busby and assistant Jimmy Murphy.
6th May 1967.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
George Best of Fulham celebrating after being fined only £75 by the F.A. for making an offensive gesture to the referee. Seen here with team-mate, former England Skipper Bobby Moore.
1st February 1977.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
Jimmy Greaves and Bobby Moore chat with actress Vivienne Ventura and other members of the England World Cup football team during a visit to Pinewood studio. Ventura is starring in the new Cliff Richard movie “Finders Keepers”.
July 1966.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
Actress Vivienne Ventura talks to England footballers Peter Bonetti (left) and Jimmy Greaves as the 1966 England World Cup team visit Pinewood Studios and spend time on the set of the new James Bond film You Only Live Twice. And if you look carefully, on the right is Sean Connery talking to Bobby Moore.
12th July 1966.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
Manchester United footballer Bobby Charlton puts out a cigarette in the ash try as he sits at the bar with his brother Jack Charlton of Leeds United.
1968.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
Miss World contestants now in London for the final on the 27th November came face to face with some of Britain’s leading sportsmen at a party this evening at the Sportsmans Club, Tottenham Court Road. Three of the girls tug at Jimmy Hill’s beard to see if it is real.
November 1969.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
Stanley Matthews after Blackpool won the FA Cup.
4th May 1953.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
Manchester United’s Denis Law drinking champagne in the dressing room at Wembley with David Herd following their victory over Leicester City in the FA Cup Final.
25th May 1963.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
George Best with Playboy Bunnies at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
5th February 1977.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
Manchester United footballer George Best celebrates the opening of his fashion boutique with a few glasses of champagne.
14th September 1967.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
West Ham United captain Bobby Moore spending a few quiet minutes under the sun lamp with a bottle of beer to celebrate his team’s victory over Manchester United to reach the FA Cup Final.
15th March 1964.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
Morris Keaton (not pictured) Businessman & Spurs Fan, throws a party at the Hilton Hotel, London, to celebrate Tottenham’s recent win in the League Cup Tottenham 2-0 Aston Villa.
A number of footballing guests attended, including 2 goal hero Martin Chivers (centre) being toasted as by L2R Terry Mancim of Leyton Orient, Andy Lochhead of Aston Villa, David Gibson of Aston Villa, Terry Venables of QPR, Allan Harris of QPR, Barry Bridges of Millwall and George Graham of Arsenal.
27th February 1971.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
Brian Clough, former Brighton & Hove Albion manager and soon to be Leeds United manager, pictured with Vince Wilson, Sunday Mirror Sports Journalist, on holiday in Puerto Pollensa aka Port de Pollenca, Northern Mallorca, Majorca, Spain.
July 1974.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
Tottenham Hotspur footballers Cliff Jones and Jimmy Greaves enjoying themselves at a party given by a West End businessman to celebrate their victory over Manchester United.
6th January 1964.
Copyright: Mirrorpix
Geoff Hurst, Stoke City and ex-England footballer, pictured working in the pub that he now owns, The Sheet Anchor Hotel, Whitmore, Staffordshire. Geoff celebrates his new venture with a pint of beer, in front of the pub and his Mercedes.
Geoff Hurst played his final game for England in The 1972, European Championship, losing 3-1 to West Germany. In 1975 he was made an MBE, and went on to play for West Bromwich Albion, Cork Celtic and Seattle Sounders, before finishing his playing career in 1976.
29th July 1975.
Copyright: Mirrorpix