There is no joviality to the Premiership panto season. Sir Alex Ferguson casts the grimmest of shadows over his rivals. Manchester United have won the Premier League title eight times under his direction and on six of those occasions the side have been lurking a few paces away from the leaders at Christmas.

Everybody in the crowd at Stamford Bridge refers to John Terry by his nickname. JT is what his friends call him and that familiarity has extended to thousands of punters. Chelsea fans may these days develop relationships with a selection of new, glamorous heroes every season, but JT is the one they know and understand best.

For Kaizer Chiefs, the Coca-Cola Cup final on Saturday night is not just about R2-million, keeping the trophy after (hopefully) winning it for the third time, nor about putting to rest the ghosts of their nemesis, Supersport United. It is about restoring their status as cup kings.

The most important moment of Liverpool’s season so far remains a mysterious and controversial one. And one that could reverse itself any time next month. It came when Steven Gerrard, their most precious asset, decided to stay at Anfield rather than listen to the advice of England teammates John Terry and Frank Lampard at Euro 2004.

The last time England beat South Africa in a Test series in South Africa was in 1965. None of the South African team had been born then. Nor, for that matter, had any of the England side. Forty years on, England have brought Ashley Giles along to bowl left-arm finger-spin over the wicket into the rough outside the right-hander’s leg stump.